NYIAS: 2017 Toyota Prius Prime - Eco-Warrior Goes Posh

Vojta Dobe
by Vojta Dobe

In the nearly 20 years it’s been on the market, the Toyota Prius has become an icon of eco-friendly motoring. Now, Toyota wants to build on the legend with a new, more upmarket version called Prius Prime. It comes equipped with plug-in charging, but it should be much more than the previous-generation Prius Plug-In. While the Plug-In was basically nothing more than a basic Prius with a larger battery and electric plug, the Prime is supposed to add style and luxury.

From the outside, it’s still evident that the Prime is built on the same bones as the standard Prius, with identical exterior dimensions and similar basic lines, but the details are noticeably different. The front end is much more aggressive, with a blacked-out “grille” area, segmented headlights and teardrop-shaped running and fog lights in the bumper.

In the rear, the huge taillight forms a shape similar to the one on the current generation Charger. Toyota is eager to point out that the new car is no “aero jellybean.” Instead, the car is said to be “daring the wind to stay in its way.”

Overall, the Prime continues in the aggressive direction set up by the 2016 Prius and takes it one step further. Whether this “muscle hybrid” approach will sit well with the traditional Prius customers remains to be seen.

It’s not all just about looks. The Prime receives a new, 8.8 kWh battery pack. That’s twice the size of its predecessor, doubling the range in fully electric mode to 22 miles. According to Toyota, this should be enough to cover the daily commuting needs of more than a half of U.S. drivers. Recharging the batteries will take 5.5 hours via a standard household outlet, or less than half the time from a 240V plug.

Another difference in comparison with the previous generation, or any other hybrid Toyota for that matter, is that the Prius Prime uses a dual-motor drive system where the generator can be used to provide the driving force as well as the main electric motor. This helps the Prius Prime to achieve more agility in full electric mode, moving its electric top speed to 84 miles per hour, and allows it to spend more time in electric drive, even if driving in standard hybrid mode.

The other part of the Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive is once again a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, known from the standard Prius. It’s an Atkinson cycle mill like the standard Prius engine and provides 40-percent thermal efficiency.

The whole drivetrain is said to achieve 120 miles-per-gallon-equivalent in electric mode, whatever that means for real-world consumption. More importantly, the real mpg figures remain the same or slightly better compared with the standard car (54/50 mpg).

Inside, the focal point is the new 11.6-inch infotainment screen with advanced smartphone connection. You can now control the car’s AC from a smartphone, manage its charging schedule, find charging stations, and — of course — compare your eco-driving score with others on social media. The last feature will be undoubtedly loved by everyone driving behind the heroic eco-warriors trying to out-do their Facebook friends.

Vojta Dobe
Vojta Dobe

More by Vojta Dobe

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 48 comments
  • HotPotato HotPotato on Mar 24, 2016

    The new Prius is horrifying in photos, but actually very attractive in person. I dated someone like that once.

  • Erikstrawn Erikstrawn on Mar 24, 2016

    When do we get a Prius Sport? Seriously. If Toyota put some effort into making a Prius that autocrossed well and looked a little more sporting, I think they'd sell the crap out of them. I commute just a little more than 22 miles to work and home. I'd be interested.

  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
Next