2023 Toyota Prius Prime

Overview

Like its gasoline-electric hybrid counterpart, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid sheds its prior ugly-duckling design and becomes a proverbial swan. Lower, wider, and longer than before, the latest Prius Prime almost looks, dare we say, sporty. Complementing its new sheetmetal is a much improved powertrain that pumps out a total of 220 horsepower—nearly 100 horses more than its predecessor. Even better, Toyota claims the latest plug-in Prius ought to better the prior Prime’s EPA-rated 25 miles of driving range by more than a dozen miles. In the context of a Prius, this new Prime is both a beauty and a beast.

What’s New for 2023?

Toyota has completely redesigned the Prius Prime for 2023, giving the plug-in hybrid a new look and a thoroughly renovated chassis. Marking the second generation of the Japanese automaker’s TNGA-C architecture, the Prius Prime’s new underpinnings are reportedly more rigid, weigh less, and offer a lower center of gravity relative to the previous-generation TNGA-C bones of last year’s Prius. A larger engine works with the car’s electric motors to produce an additional 99 horsepower relative to the outgoing Prius Prime, while a new lithium-ion battery pack ought to afford the latest plug-in Prius a little less than 40 miles of all-electric driving range.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

$32,000 (est)

XSE

$34,500 (est)

XSE Premium

$38,000 (est)

At the moment, Toyota is mum on Prius Prime pricing. That said, we expect the model to see its price rise by a few thousand dollars across the board relative to the 2022 model, which started at $29,865. For 2023, the LE, XLE, and Limited trims are no more. Instead, the Prius Prime now comes in SE, XSE, and XSE Premium grades, all of which reflect the model’s newfound athleticism. We suspect the SE is the one to pick, as it comes well equipped with items such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Last year’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is no more. In its place is a larger 2.0-liter unit. It pairs with at least two electric motors: one that powers the drive wheels and another that controls a planetary gearset to mete out the gas engine’s grunt in a manner that resembles a belt-driven continuously variable automatic transmission. We wager the 2023 Prius Prime will remain a front-drive-only affair, however, Toyota may offer all-wheel-drive as an extra-cost item. If this is the case, then expect a so-equipped Prius Prime to include an additional electric motor that exclusively powers the car’s rear axle.

More on the Prius Prime Hatchback

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

A new lithium-ion battery pack promises to notably improve the Prius Prime’s electric driving range from its outgoing 25 miles of EPA-rated range to just shy of 40 miles. Adding a charge to the Prius Prime’s battery ought to be easier than ever, too, thanks to roof-mounted solar panels that recharge the pack when the car’s parked. Take the Prius Prime out for a drive and those solar panels send power to accessory items, such as the air-conditioning system. Alas, these solar panels are not available on the lower-end SE and XSE trims. When relying on both its electric motors and four-cylinder engine for motivation, the 2023 Prius Prime ought to meet or exceed the 2022 model’s EPA combined fuel-economy figure of 54 mpg, as well as its overall rating of 133 MPGe. For more information about the Prius Prime’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Since the 2023 Prius Prime casts a larger shadow than before, we expect its insides will offer a smidge more room relative to last year’s car. That said, the car’s lower seating position and overall height may give those inside the impression that things are a bit more cramped than before. Cargo room ought to improve courtesy of the battery pack’s new home under the rear seat, though. Regardless, we can confirm the new Prius Prime’s insides are as handsome as the car’s outsides. Sharing design cues with the bZ4X electric SUV, the Prime’s cabin features a chic wraparound dash fit with a sizeable center-mounted infotainment screen. Gone is the center-mounted gauge cluster of Priuses past. Instead, the 2023 car features a cluster mounted directly in front of the driver. Additionally, the new Prime sees its shifter move from the dash to the center console.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes standard on Prius Prime SE and XSE models, though a more gargantuan 12.3-inch unit is optionally available on the latter. The big-screen system comes standard on the top-of-the-line XSE Premium, as does a premium JBL audio system. Regardless of trim, every Prius Prime includes six USB-C ports and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Toyota fits the Prius Prime with several standard driver-assistance technologies; however, items such as a surround-view camera and front and rear parking assist systems are optional. For more information about the Prius Prime’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota’s warranty coverage matches up with the plans offered by much of its competition, even outdoing some competitors by including two scheduled maintenance visits within the first two years of ownership.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid components are covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles