The best of both worlds – hybrid driving and electric – is the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE.
Now in its 10th year of production, this plug-in hybrid model offers customers the flexibility of getting around town on zero emission battery power, or hybrid mode for fuel efficient road tripping.
The fourth generation Prius comes with a larger lithium-ion battery that increases its EV range to 37 miles. When in hybrid mode the Prius delivers 48 miles per gallon fuel economy with an impressive range of 520 miles.
Maybe better yet is its all-new exterior styling with a flowing, one-motion silhouette. Gone is your father’s frumpy frame. The new version had fellow motorists turning heads and rubber-necking when the XSE Prime passed.
A focus of the new Prius Prime is to provide owners with a little something extra – more performance, technology, safety and even a little attitude. Toyota’s goal was to build a vehicle that not only meets the practical needs of today’s customers, but also one that appeals to their emotions. That starts with a new sport grade lineup: SE, XSE or the XSE Premium grade.
Prius Prime also blends its athletic side with a bit of star powered tech: a solar roof. This on-board charging feature uses roof-mounted solar panels to recharge the Prius Prime’s battery when parked. The panels deliver supplemental power to accessory functions, like air conditioning, when driving and they also use a clever design that conceals the electrodes for a seamless, glossy appearance.
Compared to the previous generation Prius Prime, it’s two-inches lower, one-inch wider, and one-inch longer in length with a hip point that’s almost one-inch lower. The position of the traction battery is also optimized, with placement under the rear seat for a low center of gravity and enhanced luggage capacity.
Prime is powered by a 2.0-liter, DOHC, four-cylinder engine supplemented with an electric motor and battery power. Prius delivers 220 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds. Prime accelerates quickly from a stop, with plenty of power for passing at speed on the freeway.
There are no sacrifices when it comes to creature comforts either. My favorites were the seven-inch multi-information display, heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fixed glass roof, six USB ports and wireless Smartphone charger.
For those looking for an enhanced audio experience, Prius Prime offers a JBL premium audio system with eight speakers, creating a mobile concert from any music genre.
With the rear seats folded flat, Prime accommodated two full-size golf bags and overnight bags on a recent overnight golf trip to Eagle’s Pride, Whitehorse, and Little Creek Casino.
And lastly, Prius Prime makes no sacrifices when it comes to safety.My XSE tester came standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense generation, TSS 3.0. This suite of active safety systems includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and proactive driving assist.
When system operating conditions are met, proactive driving assist uses the vehicle’s camera and radar to provide gentle braking into curves, or gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist.
Base Price: $43,292
Price As Driven: $43,292
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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