Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE
Specs
Class: Compact Automobile
Coloration: Reservoir Blue
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 148
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B- |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | C |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 220-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT Computerized |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 51.4 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 127 MPGe/52 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)
EPA-estimated battery vary: 44 miles
Gasoline kind: Common-grade gasoline
Base worth: $32,975 (not together with $1095 vacation spot cost)
Choices: Mats ($299), door-sill protectors ($250), mudguards ($150), wheel locks ($80), front-and-rear park help ($35)
Value as examined: $34,884
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Excellent gasoline financial system, new sporty character
The great: Easy controls, freeway quietness and refinement
The not so good: Small door openings, low cost cabin supplies
Evaluation
The 2024 Toyota Prius is a little bit like that high-school acquaintance you stumble upon after a dozen or two years of radio silence. You recall your buddy as a stand-up man, however now, years later, he’s pleasant, articulate, and reportedly profitable, too. Worse but, he’s buff, and planning to run a triathlon simply as quickly as he takes his firm public.
And whereas the Prius is just not in coaching for a aggressive swim, bike, and run occasion, it did fairly immediately reveal itself to be extra than simply the world’s longest-running hybrid automotive. Fully redesigned for 2023, the Prius is now, frankly, horny, however no much less pleasant than it has at all times been. Actually, the Prius stays a stand-up man, however additionally it is, for the primary time ever, cool.
Redesign
The Prius redesign comes at an odd time, as most U.S.-market Toyota-brand fashions are supplied in hybrid trim. Moreover, hybrid variants of the model’s Corolla compact sedan come near matching the Prius in EPA-rated gasoline financial system.
That stated, the brand new fifth-generation Prius appears to be like nothing just like the Corolla, actually it appears to be like nothing like the rest on the street—in a great way.
The 2024 Prius is little modified following its 2023 redesign, and few adjustments are anticipated for 2025. That is all superb with us, as the brand new Prius is fairly good simply as it’s.
Trim Ranges
Toyota’s legendary frugality machine is once more supplied in normal and plug-in hybrid Prime variations. Normal fashions are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electrical motors. Complete system output involves 194 horsepower with entrance wheel drive, and 196 horsepower with obtainable “e-AWD.”
Engines
The plug-in Prius Prime makes use of a model of the identical 4-cylinder engine once more mated to a pair of electrical motors. Complete output is 220 horsepower. The Prime is just not supplied with AWD. Each normal and Prime fashions make use of a CVT-style computerized transmission, and each run on regular-grade gasoline. Additionally a part of the Prime system is a 14-kWh battery. Per the EPA, when absolutely charged, the battery gives between 40 and 44 miles of electric-only operation. Vary varies primarily based on trim stage and wheel dimension.
Costs
For ’24, normal Prii (Toyota’s personal plural type of Prius) are supplied in six trim ranges, LE, LE AWD, XLE, XLE AWD, Restricted, and Restricted, AWD, with base costs starting from just below $30,000 to only underneath $38,000.
Prius Prime fashions ascend up by way of a completely totally different trio of trim-level designations, starting with the SE ($34,110), and together with the midlevel XSE ($37,360), and topline XSE Premium ($40,805).
Take a look at Drive
Shopper Information just lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2024 Prius Prime SE in Reservoir Blue. Frivolously optioned and together with vacation spot cost, our check automotive got here to $34,884.
Design
As we’ve already famous, the up to date Prius is a rakish design departure from its forebearers, that includes a steeply sloped windshield and cutting-edge sharp foreword hood conclusion, and a really low wanting roof. Whereas the Prius’s smooth profile pays off within the type division, and sure helps with aerodynamic effectivity, it’s does affect cabin area. This 6-foot, drive discovered the Prius troublesome to enter and exit, and did on one event bang his head on the roof whereas settling down into the automotive.
Room and Consolation
The numbers bear the perceived cabin shrinkage out: Versus the 2022, the 2023 And 2024 Prius misplaced 1.5-linches of headroom within the entrance row, and half an inch within the again. On the plus facet, legroom is barely extra beneficiant in each seating rows.
For this driver, the Prius cabin was loads roomy as soon as located behind the wheel, it was simply the getting-in and getting-out factor that pissed off.
Cabin
Not stunning at this worth, the Prius cabin, which appears to be like cool and clear, is completed in principally budget-grade exhausting plastic. And whereas Related-price Hyundai autos shine on this regard, the Prius inside does feels open and fashionable. Some passengers had been particularly taken with the rose/copper sprint accent, which presents a premium design vibe.
Energy and Efficiency
On the street the Prius Prime stunned us with a sporty character beforehand absent from the mannequin. With greater than 200 horsepower on faucet, the Prime strikes out with rewarding authority, and makes straightforward work of slicing and slicing by way of rush-hour visitors. And, not like previous-generation Prii (sorry), the brand new automotive has loads of reserve punch at freeway pace for passing and merging.
Trip and Dealing with
Additionally stunning is the automotive’s sharp dealing with and stylish freeway demeanor. We admire the sporty steering, however are extra impressed by the sleek and quiet freeway expertise. On this regard, the Prius punches above its worth class.
Gasoline Financial system
Together with one full battery cost, and no supplemental plug-ins, we averaged higher than 52 mpg. Having loved higher gasoline financial system from earlier Prius check autos, we suspect the brand new automotive will ship higher mileage within the fingers of extra restrained drivers with the wherewithal to plug-in each day. Nonetheless…52 mpg? Exhausting to not be impressed.
Worth
Whereas this massive editor is a little bit bummed concerning the smaller door openings and decrease roofline, we at Shopper Information suppose that Toyota has constructed one of the best Prius but. Whereas remaining a fuel-economy star, the Prius, particularly in Prime trim, is improved by nearly each metric that issues. Like that previous acquaintance that has made the many of the previous 20 years, Toyota has refined the Prius to such an extent it’s exhausting to imaging making it higher.
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2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE Photos
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