2020 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME | UPDATING THE ULTIMATE FUEL SIPPER

EV Channels Review

The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is presented as the ultimate fuel-sipper, focusing on efficiency over outright performance. The reviewer highlights its aerodynamic liftback design, LED lighting, and standard Toyota Safety Sense features. Mechanically, it shares the hybrid system with the regular Prius and Corolla hybrid, producing 121 horsepower. A key advantage is its 25 miles of electric-only range, which transitions to 54 mpg in hybrid mode or 133 mpge combined. The reviewer notes that Toyota's mission for the Prius Prime is efficiency, contrasting it with vehicles like the Chevy Volt which prioritized EV range at the expense of overall efficiency. For 2020, significant updates include the addition of a fifth seatbelt, making it more practical than previous generations, and standard Apple CarPlay integration on the large central touchscreen. The battery warranty has also been enhanced to 10 years/150,000 miles. While handling is improved over older Prius models, it's not as sporty as some competitors like the Clarity or Optima plug-in hybrids, though it compensates with superior fuel economy. The reviewer suggests that for those living in mountainous areas, the regenerative braking capabilities of the Prius Prime can even yield better fuel economy than the regular Prius. Pricing is considered aggressive, especially with the federal tax credit, making it competitive with the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in.