2022 Toyota Prius Prime Review – The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will be released in 2022 as a variant of the standard Prius.
Thanks to a charging port and a bigger 8.8-kWh battery pack, the Prime has an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of up to 25 miles.
Once the electric juice runs out, it becomes a conventional hybrid with a combined fuel economy of 54 mpg.
It takes roughly two hours to charge the empty battery fully with a 240-volt charger, but it takes roughly five and a half hours with a 120-volt charger.
If you can charge and plug in more frequently, the less gas you’ll use. The Prime offers a comfortable driving experience, much like the conventional Prius.
The hatchback body style has a bigger cargo area than the Prius sedan, but it has a smaller cargo area than the regular Prius due to its bigger battery pack.
The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid are two plug-in hatchback models that compete with the Prius Prime, however, there aren’t many.
What’s New for the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime?
The Toyota Prius Prime redesigns for the 2022 model are minimal. The plug-in hybrid hatchback’s electric-only driving range is still limited to 25 miles, and acceleration is still unsatisfactory. Every model, at the very least, continues to include a wide range of basic driver assist features.
Pricing, and Trim Level
Every 2022 Toyota Prius Prime model has the same plug-in hybrid system, with up to 25 miles of driving range on electricity alone.
As a consequence, the most essential factor in your decision will be the Prime standard features. Even the base model LE comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense-P, which includes:
- Lane-departure warning,
- automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition,
- and adaptive cruise control in addition to a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The midrange XLE comes with wireless charging and an 11.6-inch display as standard. For a lot more car for a lot less money, the Limited trim level adds park assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite this, the XLE is a great vehicle with just under $30,550 in amenities.
Engine, and Transmission
To maximize Prius Prime’s efficiency, a four-cylinder engine works with an electric motor, a battery pack, and a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT).
However, it succeeds in that regard, and the underwhelming powertrain is the only redeeming feature.
Three driving modes (Power, Normal, and Eco) attempt to influence the perception of acceleration, but the Prime switches easily and smoothly between gas and electric power.
No one will be able to come close to the speed. It can be charged at a 120-volt household outlet in 5.5 hours or at a 240-volt outlet in around two hours, depending on the location.
The Prime is a good option for going about town since it’s comfortable. When it comes to the badly blemished pavement, however, its ride becomes jittery and harsh.
When the driver lifts off the accelerator, clicking the shifter into the B position activates regenerative braking, which reduces speed considerably.
While the shift from regenerative to friction braking is smooth in Normal mode, drivers will miss out on the Prime’s regen, and braking gently or early enough to stay in the Prius Ecozone is difficult.
Read also: 10 Best Hybrid Cars on the Market Right Now
Fuel Economy
The gasoline engine of all three Prius Prime vehicles has the same EPA ratings, 55 cities, and 53 highways.
The government believes the hybrid system will provide 133 MPG when combined with electricity from it.
The Prime is thus a good option for fuel-conscious purchasers, although its limited electric-only driving range is negative.
The Hyundai Ioniq plug-in hybrid has a slightly longer range of 29 miles, so an EPA-rated 25 miles of the pure-electric range may be enough for some daily commutes.
Similarly, the EPA highway rating of the Primes we tested on our 200-mile fuel-economy test was missed.
We, however, would be impressed by any plug-in that could equal its EPA number because we test at a significantly faster speed (75 mph).
The Prime Plus got 47 mpg on the highway and the Premium got 49 mpg in hybrid mode. In EV mode, the Plus achieved 116 MPG and the Premium achieved 118 MPG.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime has a smaller passenger capacity than the conventional Prius hybrid, owing to its larger battery, but it offers comparable interior space to the latter.
In comparison to the regular Prius and many of its rivals, it has less real-world luggage capacity.
Instead of being immediately in front of him, a digital gauge cluster is centered between the driver and the front-seat passenger.
With a stubby electronic shifter protruding straight out of the dashboard. Family road trips will be a tight fit because of the abundance of interior storage.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Prius Prime LE comes with a 7.0-inch touch-screen display as standard. Map integration is available on the XLE and Limited models’ 11.6-inch touchscreen.
Allowing you to view nearby charging stations. These vehicles come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The screen, on the other hand, behaves more like a two-screen system than a dynamic, customizable tablet because it only comes in a few different configurations.
Safety
Toyota’s driver-assistance technology is standard on all models and encompasses a variety of capabilities.
While Prime’s more costly upper trim levels come with blind-spot monitoring, it is an option on lower trim levels.
The Toyota Prius Prime crash test data can be found on the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Key safety features include:
- Automated emergency braking and standard forward-collision warning
- Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist are standard features.
- Standard adaptive cruise control is available.
Warranty
Toyota’s warranty coverage is comparable to that of the majority of its rivals, and it even beats some rivals by including two scheduled maintenance visits in the first two years of ownership.
- Three years or 36,000 miles are covered by the warranty.
- Five years or 60,000 miles are covered by the Powertrain warranty.
- For 10 years or 150,000 miles, hybrid components are covered.
- For two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, you’ll be covered.
2022 Toyota Prius Prime models
Prius Prime is Toyota’s most basic model. Apart from fancier-looking 15-inch wheels and tiny extras like all-weather floor mats, there are no optional bundles or single features available.
It comes in three trim levels (LE, XLE, and Limited) A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with an electric motor in all Prius Prime trims.
On a full charge, the total system output is 121 horsepower, providing around 25 miles of all-electric driving. The continuously variable transmission in the Prime is only available with front-wheel drive.
Toyota Prius Prime LE
The Toyota Prius Prime LE is distinguished by the following features:
- Wheel covers are included with the 15-inch alloy wheels.
- LED headlights
- Outside mirrors with heaters are available.
- A head-up display (also known as a windshield display) shows critical information in your line of sight.
- Climate control is automated in most automobiles.
- Front cloth seats that are heated
- The driver’s door has hands-free keyless entry.
- 7.0-inch touchscreen display in the infotainment system
- Smartphone compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker audio system
- A 120-volt power outlet charging cable is required.
Every Prius Prime comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. Advanced driver assistance is included in this set:
- The Prius Prime and the vehicle in front are maintained a set distance apart thanks to adaptive cruise control.
- Warning you of a coming collision and applying the brakes in specific cases is known as forward collision mitigation.
- Lane departure warning (when a turn signal isn’t used, it can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Lane-keeping system (helps to keep the vehicle centered in its lane by making minor steering adjustments).
Toyota Prius Prime XLE
Several improvements are available on the Toyota Prius Prime XLE trim level, including:
- Leather upholstery has a look that is simulated.
- For extra doors, you may use your phone to unlock them.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system
- Navigation system
- Speech recognition software is available.
- Wireless smartphone charging is available.
- The charging cable is held in place by a lock.
Toyota Prius Prime Limited
The Prius Prime Limited is the ideal choice for all of the extras, including:
- LED foglights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- A steering wheel that is heated
- JBL 10-speaker audio system
- A rear cross-traffic alert (a warning that a vehicle is in your blind spot) is given when you change lanes or reverse.
- Parking sensors in the front and rear of your automobile should be used with caution. (Watch for obstacles in front and behind you while parking).
- Rear automatic braking (to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle, the brakes are automatically applied.)
- A parking automated system (one that steers a car into a parking space with minimal or no driver involvement)
- A head-up display projects essential data in your line of vision on the windshield.
2022 Toyota Prius Prime Specs
Overview
| Engine Type | Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Cylinders | Inline 4 |
| Total Seating | 5 |
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36,000 mi. |
Fuel & MPG
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| EPA city/highway MPG | 55/53 MPG |
| EPA combined MPG | 54 MPG |
| Range in miles (city/hwy) | 627.0/604.2 mi. |
| EPA city/highway MPG | 145/121 MPG |
| EPA combined MPG | 133 MPG |
| EPA electricity range | 25 mile |
| EPA kWh/100 mile | 25 |
| EPA time to charge a battery (at 240V) | 2.0 hr |
| Fuel tank capacity | 11.4 gal |
Engine
| Base engine size | 1.8 L |
| Cylinders | Inline 4 |
| Base engine type | Plug-in hybrid |
| Horsepower | 121 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
| Valves | 16 |
| Cam-type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Valve timing | Variable |
Drivetrain
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
Dimensions
| Length | 182.9 in. |
| Overall width without mirrors | 69.3 in. |
| Height | 57.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in. |
| EPA interior volume | 111.3 cu.ft. |
| Cargo capacity, all seats in place | 19.8 cu.ft. |
| Maximum cargo capacity | 36.6 cu.ft. |
| Turning circle | 33.4 ft. |
| Ground clearance | 4.8 in. |
| Curb weight | 3,365 lbs. |
Final Verdict
The 2022 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid is comfortable and easy to drive, just like the conventional Prius.
If you can recharge the battery on a regular basis, taking advantage of the automobile’s 25 miles of the best electric range is also simple. “Fun!” isn’t a word in the car’s vocabulary, but it works where it counts.
