2023 Toyota Prius Prime (Or Why Plug-In Hybrids Rule)

There are reasons why pure electric vehicle don’t work everyone. For people without access to home Level 2 charging or commercial DC fast charging on road trip routes, plug-in hybrids might be the perfect solution. They’re EVs when wanted, gas when needed. The new 5th generation Toyota Prius Prime delivers up to 44 miles of electric range and fashion forward design. Could it be the perfect electrified option? Maybe, if you can find one to buy. Tom Voelk road trips a top trim XSE Premium model with the optional solar roof to Bow-Edison, WA and finds if quick, comfortable and engaging (but watch your head tall folks).

#automotive #cars #automobile #toyota #toyotaprius #toyotapriusprime

TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS BY CLICKING THE “BELL” BUTTON AFTER SUBSCRIBING!

2023 Toyota Prius Prime, 2023 Toyota Prius Prime review, 2023 Toyota Prius Prime interior, 2023 Toyota Prius Prime solar roof,
Toyota Prius Prime price, Toyota Prius Prime charging, Tom Voelk, Tom Volk, Tom Voelk car reviews, Tom Volk car reviews, plug in hybrid, Prius plug in hybrid, Prius plug in hybrid range, car reviews, Driven, Driven Car Reviews, Bow Edison Washington, Breadfarm,

About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).

00:00 Intro
1:11 Efficiency
1:45 Pricing
2:29 Powertrain / Charging
4:00 Performance
4:46 Real World Range
5:21 Road Trip!
8:20 Driving Dynamics
9:25 Interior
11:22 Back Seat
12:31 Hybrid Strategy
13:36 Cargo
15:00 Red Light Green Light
16:06 Summary
17:18 Epilogue
18:12 Before I Go

[DrivenCarReviews]

For those wondering how much Toyota Connected Services cost for using the Toyota Interface in the Prius XLE or Limited, here ya go- after the 1 year complimentary trial there are three options- $15mo for cloud-based interface functionality and navigation- OR- $15mo for cloud based interface functionality and native music streaming (through existing Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts) or $25mo for both music and navigation functionality. FYI, emergency services (SOS emergency calling) is free for 10 years. There are 3 months complimentary SiriusXM and 30 days free Wi-Fi Connection (high speed internet hotspot).

[gbjqioc]

they would be great if you could actually find one that wasn't $10k-$20k "market adjustment" on them. not paying $60k for a $43k MSRP car. If Toyota supply chain wasnt run by greed, I would have already purchased one.

[steveflor]

Wildy better than any Tesla ever made.

[presoquin]

Got my prime 1 month ago. Totally loved it. Best car ever. This is my 7th Toyota.

[iBikeLive]

This fellow KNOWS his stuff! Love the writing, delivery, and top-notch production values. Just excellent! 😊

[rightlanehog]

Tom, Thanks for taking us along for the trip. The one time I visited your neck of the woods, I was driving a rented and very boxy 1987 Chevy Nova sedan. The scenery 🌲🌳looks just as good now as it did then. 😁 If I could fit inside this Prius and see through those gargantuan A pillars and tiny back window, I am sure I could learn to love it. 😉 In regard to Toyota's overarching Hybrid strategy, a lot more people would be 'on board' if Toyota would finally match their ongoing Hybrid promises with commensurate Hybrid production. 🤨

[salocin]

your presentation style and your insights are far above other review channels. please keep up your exemplary work. Long time subscriber

[nafnaf]

Good PHEVs are awesome!!! I have a '23 BMW X5 45e (paid MSRP minus the $7500 tax credit) and it just amazing. It is so smooth, so quite, and 70% of my miles have been in full electric mode. It gets over 1000miles between tanks of gas (I never have to fill up, which is awesome). When power or range is needed I have an excellent turbo charged inline-6 on hand that kicks up pretty fast (it does take a split second or so, but not really ever a problem). I charge mostly on off-peak power which is basically free at $0.03/kWh. The great thing is you get nearly all the advantages of a full battery electric vehicle, without ever having to worry about charging, range, or charging infrastructure. I can put on the AC at anytime without having to turn the gas engine on. It is so much better than a regular car in so many ways. I think if more people knew about them, everyone would be getting them. They are much better than a ICE or full battery electric powered car.

[abbott]

As I hope you know, your reviews are thorough and great. Always a pleasure to watch them, Tom. Thank you!

[TurfSurf]

I have had my Honda Clarity PHEV for 4 years now, still the best the car I have had, and no desire to upgrade to a full EV. 48 mile EV range is all I need for daily run around. I drove it to Vegas and back, worked well but it used much more gas than a Nissan Sentra or a Corolla because mostly highway driving, and I had to use onboard generator to recharge, but I don’t go to Vegas everyday so occasional extra gas cost is ok for 0 range anxiety or sitting in a charging station for 30 minutes.

[KUBABATIJUS]

Great content and professionally executed! Tom, you need to have 1M+ subs.

[justins]

Excellent video and analysis. We appreciate you!

[Qrail]

Hello. I subscribed. Thanks for testing this unfound unit. I have 2 PHEV’s, and I like to see who is catching me. My 2017 Audi A3 eTron can only manage 24 electric miles, but after 3.5 years my stats are 86 mpge and 46 mpg. …and the Prius nameplate has an interesting effect on some people. They either love it or hate it.
I previously owned a Gen 2 model, and on my economy test of 118 miles, (preformed on all of my cars since 2009) the Prius used 1.7 gallons. 69 mpg. That was a champion for years. The Audi used 1.5 gallons at 79 mpg. For 3.5 years, it was at the top of the leaderboard, replacing the 2005 Prius. My latest addition, 2019 Ford Fusion Energi made the trip using 1.3 gallons at 90 mpg. (From Boomtown NV to Arden Fair in Sacramento, CA.) PHEV’s are more efficient, and have a longer range

[philipperapaccioli]

The controversy about plug-ins is when they are company cars. The company pays for gas, but not for electricity so employees never charge them.
I have had a Chevy volt for seven years. When you own a plug in, the driving experience is just better in electrical mode, noise, vibration, instant torque, and it is so economical that you make sure to charge.

[dxbot]

I've got a 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV and I've gotta say my experiences are pretty similar to yours (though my gas range is not!). On a hot summer day (an increasing majority in the south) or the coldest days of winter, I can do 35-40 miles on a full charge. When the summer cools off into fall and early winter -and- when winter begins to warm into spring, I can do 45-48 miles on a single charge. Either way, it's plenty for going to work, doing some shopping or going to hang out with friends after work, and heading back home.

I went and complicated things for myself, though, by living in an apartment that doesn't have any EVSE installed, but at least there's a shopping center nearby where I can plug in my car and go for a walk. It's a pretty good routine!

I do a lot of longer-distance driving (relatively speaking) on the weekends, though, and that's where the gas engine shows up. I wouldn't say it shines, but I can do 280-310 miles on a 6 gallon tank, so it's doing better than ICE cars and a lot of bigger hybrids, but it always feels disappointing to have to fuel up 2x as much as your friends with gas cars (even though their tanks are 3x as big and only go 2x as far). With that said, I've never been afraid of running out of range.

One thing my PHEV has taught me, though, is that I reaaaally want to get a full EV, especially since public rapid chargers are becoming a lot more widespread! I can tell when my car is in hybrid mode. The acceleration goes from zippy and fun to slow and a touch anemic. The quiet EV experience becomes filled with something many Clarity drivers have dubbed "the angry bees" under the hood.

[farcinue]

Priuses have really evolved well. More power, more efficiency. Toyota has done well with their hybrid technology. This and the Corolla Cross Hybrid are on our shortlist for an urban commuter. That town is so cute! Like Napa without the throngs of people.

[mjhowson]

Great video, as always. I do agree that it all comes down to the individual owner's driving needs. I owned a Volt and after a few years realized I could easily do all my road trips with a pure EV because of the robust charging network and the fact that my long trips were around 300 miles a few times a year. But others may have different needs. I think Toyota did a great job with the Prius/Prime, and if it works for you - and you can get it at a decent price - go for it.

[logikgr]

8:09 Tom Voelk, the perfect customer for every vehicle type. Man I wish I were you.

[davidp.]

Just got mine last month. Very impressed with this car! My other car is an EV and this will be our road tripping vehicle.

[madlucio]

I really love the potential of this car, but even up here in Québec where EVs are a common sight, I am have only seen a few. They need to make a lot more of them. Love your videos.