PLUG-IN PRIUS PINCHES PENNIES
Toyota’s tongue-tying Prius Prime Premium model brings fuel efficiency to a new level and is a car that can nearly pay for itself.
The Prius sports a decent 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve engine, which in hybrid mode gets a whopping 55 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway. And like most hybrids, it accelerates very well initially. After 30 mph, it is a little ho-hum, but you should expect that in a vehicle that has a miserly consumption of gasoline.
The EPA estimates that the combined hybrid/electric average mileage is an astounding 113 mpg; however, that does assume that everything is maintained and you drive like time is no concern to you.
This Prius is equipped
with two battery systems — one for the Hybrid Mode and one for the Electric Vehicle (EV) mode. The Hybrid battery recharges as you drive, but the EV battery requires either a 5 1⁄2- hour standard outlet charge or less than a 3-hour charge on a 240 volt outlet. The standard outlet cable, equipped with a gas fuel nozzle-like terminal, is convenient for those who have a secure place like a garage to charge up overnight.
If you forget to charge the EV battery, you will still have the Hybrid battery, which will keep you on the move as you recharge.
Energy efficiency comes with a few sacrifices. This newly designed model only has four seats, down from five in previous models, thanks to its larger EV battery. The larger battery also makes this car heavier, which can adversely affect handling.
The exterior has a grille with a chiseled look and quad LED headlights and there are also LED accent lights on the front spoiler. There’s an active grille shutter that closes at higher speed to help with aerodynamics. The review car sported a pleasing Hypersonic Red paint job, which might just be worth the extra $395.
The interior is small, but comfortable and not cramped. The synthetic leather-trimmed seats are comfortable and are heated, but not cooled.
And though the dash is simple, it does throw a curveball: the instrument cluster is all located in the center of the top of the dashboard, not on the driver’s side like most other vehicles. There’s decent space in the rear cargo area — no less than you’d expect in a car with two massive batteries.
The highlight of the interior is an impressive 11.6inch screen that controls the stereo, climate, navigation and phone systems. The controls for the EV/ Hybrid modes take a while to figure out without looking at the manual. The gear selector is complicated, too.
The Prius is outfitted with many of the top safety features seen in cars — more than most seen at its $30,060 price point.
Once you get used to this unconventional automobile, you may start enjoying saving some serious gas money — as long as the maintenance doesn’t pile up.