The 2019 Toyota Prius Prime takes everything that's great about the regular Prius, but adds the ability to travel up to 25 miles on nothing but electricity. The plug-in hybrid can also be charged at a charging station or from a standard outlet, which is something the normal Prius can't do. For consumers looking to get in on the electric future who don't want to worry about range anxiety, the Prius Prime's ability to run on both electricity and gasoline makes it a better option than a pure electric vehicle.
What's New for 2019
The Prius Prime enters the new year without any significant changes.
Choosing Your Toyota Prius Prime
The Prius Prime's plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that's paired to a continuously variable transmission. Giving the plug-in hybrid its electrified abilities is a 53-kilowatt electric motor and an 8.8-kWh battery pack. Combined output for the entire system is 121 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard.
When acting as a hybrid, the Prius Prime is rated by the EPA to get up to 54 miles per gallon combined. On electricity, the vehicle gets 133 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe). Speaking of electricity, the Prius Prime can travel 25 miles without using any gasoline. When electricity runs out, the vehicle can travel an extra 615 miles on gasoline for a total range of 640 miles.
Charging the Prius Prime doesn't take too long, but the times vary depending on what kind of voltage you're using. A standard 120-volt outlet will yield a fully charged battery in five hours and 30 minutes. Using a 240-volt charger brings that time down to two hours and 10 minutes.
The Prius Prime is available in three trims with no packages available across the range:
While not as tech forward as some of the other electrified options on the road, the 2019 Toyota Prius Prime gives consumers the option to switch between traveling on electricity and gasoline, which makes range anxiety obsolete. It might not have the range to compete with the Chevrolet Volt, but it's much more affordable and is well equipped in the mid-range Premium trim.