Used 2022 Toyota Prius Prime

The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the outstandingly economical version of the well-known Prius hybrid. In Toyota’s world, the Prime name refers to a plug-in hybrid setup, as opposed to the usual arrangement. The company also makes the RAV4 Prime, a compact crossover with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

What’s the difference between a plug-in hybrid and a regular hybrid? A plug-in hybrid has a stouter battery, allowing the car to run solely on electric power for an appreciable distance. In the case of the Prius Prime, it’s 25 miles. But whereas the regular Prius charges its battery through onboard systems like brake energy regeneration, the Prime is also rechargeable from an outside source. That’s the plug-in part. But if the battery’s energy is depleted, the Prime still functions like a conventional hybrid.

This Prius Prime takes the 5-door compact hatchback format of the Prius, makes some design tweaks, and pushes the total possible distance on a full tank and a full battery to an impressive 640 miles. The initials PHEV (meaning plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) are often applied to this kind of car.

Assuming the federal tax credit for the 2022 Prius Prime remains at $4,502, it works out that this plug-in hybrid could be cheaper to buy than the usual Prius hybrid. And it will be even cheaper to run. Depending on local regulations, the Prius Prime may also be eligible for solo drives in carpool lanes.

For someone whose car requirements are mainly for short journeys, then the Prius Prime could quite often be used primarily as an electric vehicle with nightly battery top-ups. The engine is always there, dispelling any range anxiety qualms.

The regular 2022 Toyota Prius lineup is reviewed separately.

Let’s not bother with acceleration times and go straight to talking about charging times. On a domestic 120-volt supply, a full replenishment takes about 5.5 hours. When it’s a 240-volt socket, that time is reduced to around two hours and 10 minutes.

Like ordinary hybrids, the Prius Prime can also recharge its battery through brake energy regeneration. Clicking the transmission into its B setting on downhill stretches increases the amount of recovered braking energy stored in the battery, as well as helping to control the car’s speed.

Even in a compact hatchback, 121 horsepower is not a lot of muscle. There is, however, some decent low-end thrust from the electric motor. But if a Prius Prime owner has a pair of driving shoes, it’s more likely because of style and comfort than making the most of any canyon-road thrills.

A comfortable suspension and well-cushioned front seats combine to make the Prius Prime a pleasurably tranquil drive, well suited to exploiting the long distances the car is able to cover. The Prius Prime deploys front-wheel drive only; the non-plug-in Prius offers the choice of all-wheel drive with the addition of a second electric motor.

At lower speeds and almost-silent running, a Vehicle Proximity Notification System alerts pedestrians of the car’s presence. Just one irritation — reverse gear activates a beeping inside the cabin. If some drivers need an audible warning that they’re going backwards, perhaps they shouldn’t be driving.

It’s a Prius thing not to put driver information directly in front of the driver. Instead, the digital display is on the top of the dashboard, right in the middle. It’s not optimal from an ergonomics standpoint, but enough people have bought all the various Prius models over the years without too much complaint, so it can’t be a big deal.

The cabin is roomy and comfortable up front, with seating for three in the back. Well, two — plus a grumpy person in the small middle position. By virtue of being a compact hatchback with a sloping roof, rear headroom and legroom is on the small side.

The Prius Prime’s bigger battery also encroaches on cargo space, compared with the usual Prius. Behind the rear seats (which split and fold in a 60/40 arrangement, providing some cargo/people flexibility) is a luggage area of 19.8 cubic feet, 7.6 fewer than its regular stablemate. This probably isn’t a deal-breaker for someone considering a new Prius Prime, who no doubt prioritizes fuel economy over hauling.

If there’s a mis-step in the Prius Prime’s cabin, it’s the 11.6-inch touchscreen in the XLE and Limited trims. Yes, it looks good, it’s oriented vertically and imparts plenty of useful information. But when the sun is in the right (or wrong) position, there’s so much reflected light coming off the display that it becomes difficult to see.

We’re still inclined to recommend the XLE over the LE, though. It brings extra equipment with a price difference under $2,000.

Although the 2022 Prius Prime and the straight-ahead Prius share the same wedge-shaped foundation, the Prime has several visual differences at the nose and tail. In both cars, however, the 2-piece back window hinders rearward vision.

The Prime has a quad-LED headlight arrangement, accompanied by LED daytime running lights, plus its own design of LED taillights. Every trim level runs on 15-inch alloy wheels. Even an alternative design on the options list is the same size.

SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION & ALEXA COMPATIBILITY
Once you’ve connected a smartphone to a car’s infotainment system, and used apps like Waze for navigation and traffic, it’s hard to go without. Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant provides music, audio books, weather updates, and many other convenient functions. For whatever reason, Android Auto and the Prius Prime’s larger touchscreen are incompatible.

OWNERSHIP COSTS
With a federal tax credit, state and local incentives, fuel economy that enables a maximum range of 640 miles, plus strong resale values, the Toyota Prius Prime keeps ownership costs as low as its emissions.

Trim levels for the 2022 Prius Prime are LE, XLE, and Limited. The LE model comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a digital driver information display, a steering wheel wrapped in simulated leather, cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a 120-volt charging cable.

Safety equipment is plentiful. As well as a system where the brakes override the throttle if both pedals are pressed at the same time by mistake, the 2022 Prius Prime also has a set of assistance features known collectively as Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (see the Safety Technology section below).

The infotainment setup includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Amazon Alexa compatibility, three USB ports, satellite radio, CD player, Bluetooth phone/audio, and a 6-speaker sound system.

Apart from premium paint choices and a Wi-Fi subscription, the way to have a better-equipped new Prius Prime is to ascend the trim level ladder. The XLE adds an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, simulated leather seating surfaces, wireless charging, and an upgraded infotainment system with advanced voice recognition, HD Radio Predictive Traffic, plus an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a split-screen display. This setup cannot support Android Auto.

In-car entertainment goes up yet another level in Limited trim with a 10-speaker JBL sound system. This trim also brings LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated steering wheel, self-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, front/rear parking sensors, parking assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a color head-up display.

How economical is the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a method of calculating miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. It estimates that the Prius Prime achieves 133 MPGe in combined driving (a mix of city and highway use). That’s with the 25 miles of electric-only range taken into account. Running as a regular hybrid, it averages 54 mpg.

This is all made possible by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine (regular gas is fine) and a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor energized by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Total system output is 121 horsepower. Toyota doesn’t quote total torque figures for its hybrids.

An automatic transmission (of the continuously variable variety) sends that energy to just the front wheels. Active grille shutters are standard for optimum aerodynamic and thermal efficiency.

1.8-liter inline-4/permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor
121 horsepower total system output
EPA combined fuel economy: 133 MPGe (electric)
EPA combined fuel economy: 54 mpg (gasoline & electric)