Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE
Specs
Class: Compact Automotive
Coloration: Reservoir Blue
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 148
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B- |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | C |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 220-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT Automated |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 51.4 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 127 MPGe/52 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)
EPA-estimated battery vary: 44 miles
Gas kind: Common-grade gasoline
Base value: $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
Execs and Cons
The good: Out standing gasoline economic system, new sporty character
The great: Easy controls, freeway quietness and refinement
The not so good: Small door openings, low cost cabin supplies
Overview
The 2024 Toyota Prius is slightly 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 reasonably all of the sudden reveal itself to be extra than simply the world’s longest-running hybrid automobile. Fully redesigned for 2023, the Prius is now, frankly, horny, however no much less pleasant than it has at all times been. In actual fact, the Prius stays a stand-up man, however additionally it is, for the primary time ever, cool.
Redesign
The Prius redesign comes at a wierd 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 economic system.
That mentioned, the brand new fifth-generation Prius seems to be nothing just like the Corolla, the truth is it seems to be nothing like the rest on the highway—in a great way.
The 2024 Prius is little modified following its 2023 redesign, and few adjustments are anticipated for 2025. That is all positive 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 out there “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 offers between 40 and 44 miles of electric-only operation. Vary varies based mostly 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 simply underneath $38,000.
Prius Prime fashions ascend up by way of a wholly 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
Client Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2024 Prius Prime SE in Reservoir Blue. Flippantly optioned and together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile 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 trying roof. Whereas the Prius’s glossy profile pays off within the model division, and sure helps with aerodynamic effectivity, it’s does affect cabin area. This 6-foot, drive discovered the Prius tough to enter and exit, and did on one event bang his head on the roof whereas settling down into the automobile.
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 aspect, legroom is barely extra beneficiant in each seating rows.
For this driver, the Prius cabin was lots roomy as soon as located behind the wheel, it was simply the getting-in and getting-out factor that pissed off.
Cabin
Not shocking at this value, the Prius cabin, which seems to be cool and clear, is completed in principally budget-grade exhausting plastic. And whereas Comparable-price Hyundai automobiles shine on this regard, the Prius inside feels open and trendy. Some passengers have been particularly taken with the rose/copper sprint accent, which presents with a premium vibe.
Energy and Efficiency
On the highway the Prius Prime stunned us with a sporty character earlier 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 site visitors. And, not like previous-generation Prii (sorry), the brand new automobile has loads of reserve punch at freeway pace for passing and merging.
Journey and Dealing with
Additionally shocking is the automobile’s sharp dealing with and stylish freeway demeanor. We recognize the sporty steering, however are extra impressed by the graceful and quiet freeway expertise. On this regard, the Prius punches above its value class.
Gas Financial system
Together with one full battery cost, and no supplemental plug-ins, we averaged higher than 52 mpg. Having loved higher gasoline economic system from earlier Prius check automobiles, we suspect the brand new automobile will ship higher mileage within the fingers of extra restrained drivers with the wherewithal to plug-in every day. Nonetheless…52 mpg? Laborious to not be impressed.
Worth
Whereas this huge editor is slightly bummed concerning the smaller door openings and decrease roofline, we at Client Information suppose that Toyota has constructed the perfect Prius but. Whereas remaining a fuel-economy star, the Prius, particularly in Prime trim, is improved by virtually each metric that issues. Like that outdated acquaintance that has made the a lot 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
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
