2018 Toyota Prius Prime Review - Plug In Hybrid

We go for a drive in the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime Plug In Hybrid

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Our reviews give you two perspectives. Jakub takes the perspective of the car enthusiast, while Yuri represents the interests of the general consumer. You won't find details about engine compression ratios here, instead you'll have real world opinions on what it's like to drive and own cars.

[TheStraightPipes]

Would you get a Prius Prime? Or something else?

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[mbrunnme]

Good lord. That thing in reverse sounds like a patient dying on an operating table. 12:58

[acepilot]

The only reason I'm watching a prius video is because it's from straight pipes..

[JHuffPhoto]

My 05 Prius is a beast. 320k miles and still going. Only had to replace the battery once at $2k USD. Not fun to drive or fast but it has been the most reliable trouble free vehicle I have ever owned.

[elitek]

Tbh Prius is a really good car. Super reliable, practical, and saves a lot of gas. And look wise I don't think it's ugly. Sure it's not particularly handsome like some other cars, but it's definitely not ugly as some people say. It looks like a normal car. I have a 2010 and I love it. Gonna trade it soon for a Lexus is250 though. But I'm usually always confused as to why it gets so much hate. As car enthusiasts in my opinion we need to love every car what it's meant for. Sure Prius isn't the fastest car, but fast = more gas. And Prius is a gas saver so it being slower makes sense. Before I got one I was kinda skeptical. But after driving it for over a year I realized that it's a great car.

[swfk]

Owner's perspective: I have had my Prius Prime since July. 5000+km later I am almost done my third tank. $50 CAD to fill up in BC. It's super slow and sad compared to my other toys (Civic Type R and S2000) but it saves me so much money.

I used to spend about $600 CAD in fuel in my S3 per month. S3 did about 8L/100km. Now with the Prime I charge at home, charge when I can at work. One way to work is 47km. So far since new I've averaged 1.9L/100km. First tank did 2300km, second tank did 1800+km. Third tank is getting worse, maybe due to weather.

If anyone is wondering, the 4 seater doesn't bug me at all. I thought it was going to be an issue but I never encountered it. Rear seats are extremely roomy.

The lack of Apple CarPlay is tolerable. I use a magnet mount for my phone to mount just to the right of the steering wheel. Waze, Google Maps from there. My music is played via Bluetooth.

The gloss black isn't terrible, I never put any scratchy hard objects in the console. There is a tray in the giant center console and any scratchy hard objects can go in there. Passengers with bags will always go in the trunk or the floor. Mine has stayed free of any scratches.

The heated steering wheel kinda sucks. Top and bottom parts don't heat up. I sell Jaguar Land Rover and those steering wheels get so hot I have to turn it off after 2 minutes. (Side note, the 4 cylinder F Type you guys reviewed got sold at my dealer)

The lane keep assist is absolute garbage however the adaptive cruise works very well. It's smoother than Audi's ACC. Front collision warning, blind spot monitoring also work very well.

Now I actually kinda wish I got the i3S REx because of how far my commute is. When there are no spots to charge the car, I leave work without the charged battery, the car acts as a normal Prius and does about 4L/100km, this car is not great for highways. If I had the i3S REx, it would have a shorter combined range but more electric range. i3 would've been more suited for my commute.

I do enjoy how the Prius is extremely comfortable and it's softer than the i3. i3 is more fun to drive as the steering is sharper, but the ride is stiffer there.

All in all I still enjoy the Prius Prime, it's better looking than the Honda PHEVs, especially the Clarity, that thing is gross. I can use the HOV lanes in BC and it saves me time during my commute.

[markholle]

The best thing about these guys is that they give each car a fair review whether it is a Hellcat, Pacifica, or a Prius. Major props guys.

[christiandufour]

09:27 There is a charging mode : Hold the HV/EV button for 3sec. and Voila, it will charge the battery while driving in Hybrid mode.

[anzarkkala]

never thought i’d enjoy a Prius review. huh.

[DBUSA_]

The gloss black freakout at 6:39 is epic. More rants like this, please!

[samago]

The B mode is not more regenerative brake, it uses the ICE as brake. Useful for downhills.

[buntychea]

Because Toyota is Lacking car play/android auto, is the major reason why i don't buy toyota cars/trucks. Come on, it probably costs them $20 for the license for each, but the the convenience to the consumer is 100x the cost. Stop being stubborn, Toyota. I hope you read this. You're not software people, your UI is not better than apple/android.

[williamwebberjr]

Just bought a used '18 Prime with 136, 000+ miles. My 60 mile trip from work averaged 85mpg included 50% highway driving.

[bcrandeis]

Jakub, I'm with you on the gloss black... The previous owner of my C class didn't spec the wood trim so the WHOLE center stack is gloss black. It's scratched to hell and it drives me nuts!!!

[christianedelmann]

My parents have the Prius prime with the smaller infotainment screen and really is a delight to drive plus there are months where they don't ever get gas (live in the city)

[voltecrules]

My Honda Clarity Plug in Hybrid has gone 2, 800 and I’m still using the dealership gas when I picked it up new 2 months ago. I’m going to get about 500 miles per gallon by the time I fill up my car for the first time. The most important thing in a plug in hybrid is the EV range. My Clarity goes 60 miles per charge in LA traffic.

[Joe]

The composite liftgate is a $3500 USD part. I work in a bodyshop and just replaced one a couple months ago. Crazy expensive.

Oh and the interior with the piano white is even worse than the piano black. The center console looks like a urinal.

[BWG]

A Prius. Actual looks half decent. But your review made it better.

[Mv]

I think the Prius is a great car, and one of the best cars for big city use, and new drivers who don’t want to pay big money for gas. Unfortunately, people don’t get Prii and hate on them, and they insult people who like/buy them, and I can not tell you why.

[worldbetterplace]

I have a Prius prime 2017. Exact the look and color. Totally love it, !! Man. It felt great when my mpg shows 199 all the time as long as I remember to charge it at night. I do not go panic when I can not find a charger like other electric car owners when driving long distance. Plus Shark fans LOVE the blue!