2024 Toyota Prius Prime Review: Your Gateway to Electrification

Pros

• Fantastic 45 mile EV range and 52 mpg hybrid efficiency
• Full-featured suite of standard driver aid tech
• Available with neat Solar Roof option
• This is the best looking Prius generation yet

Cons

• Lackluster standard audio system
• Many infotainment features require subscription after first year
• Does not qualify for federal plug-in incentive

Quick, name a car that gets good gas mileage. I'd wager that, for most of you, the first name that springs to mind is "Prius". 

Toyota's Prius has been the quintessential efficient, hybrid car for nearly thirty years. And not just because it was one of the first; the Prius has made consistent improvements in its aerodynamics and efficiency with each generation. Now in its fifth-gen, the Prius is the best it's ever been and the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid is the best of the best, pushing the envelope with sharp style, well thought-out tech and, of course, more miles per gallon (and miles per kilowatt-hour) than you can shake a stick at. 

As drivers tentatively step down the road toward electrification, the Prime becomes even more relevant as one of the few PHEVs with enough electric range to make it worth plugging in regularly and to meet most daily driving needs without totally abandoning the gasoline safety net. Whether you're an EV-curious driver not ready (or able) to make the jump to full-electric or just looking to spend less money on gas and time at the pump, the Prius Prime is an excellent PHEV choice worthy of your attention.

Performance, range and efficiency

Beneath the Prius Prime's hood, you'll find a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder sharing motivational duties with a pair of asymmetrical electric motors. During hybrid operation, this is one of the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered cars on the road today at up to 52 miles per gallon for the lightest SE trim level. Of course, that's before you consider the PHEV's addition of a larger 13.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and SAE J1772 charging port. Plugging in the Prime adds up to 45 miles of grid-powered pure electric range before the gasoline engine wakes up. (The heavier, more feature-laden XSE and XSE Premium models drop to 48 hybrid mpg and 40 miles of electric range, which is still class-leading.)

In its EV mode, the Prius Prime even manages up to 3.9 mi/kWh on the EPA's test cycle, as efficient as many dedicated EVs. With regular overnight recharges -- 11 hours at a 120-volt outlet or just four hours on a 240-volt Level 2 plug -- and an average commute, some drivers may not burn a drop of gas for weeks at a time. I barely did, spending around 64% of my 210 tested miles in EV mode, averaging around 86 combined mpge for the week charging every other night on a normal 15-amp outlet. If I plugged in more frequently, my average efficiency would increase. On the other hand, if I never plug in, I may land closer to the 50 mpg mark.

With a continuously variable transmission blending and crossfading the two power sources, the Prime sends up to 220 combined horsepower to its front wheels. For a vehicle in this midsize class, that's not a neck-snapping amount of power, but the Prius' also doesn't feel underpowered; its ample electric torque makes for smooth and satisfying acceleration. I never found myself wanting for "oomph" when it came time to pass or merge during my week of testing.

On the subject of performance, I was also pleased with the Prius' steering feel -- light to the touch, but responsive and predictable -- which was helped by the hybrid's unique ergonomics and steering wheel placement.

The Solar Roof option

Owners who opt for the top-of-the-line XSE Premium model can also choose to outfit their Prime with a Solar Roof upgrade. This $610 small solar panel can help take some of the load off of the hybrid system, for example, by powering the climate control during a remote start so you return to a cool car without impacting the EV mode range. It can even add a few (like 5 or 6) miles of EV range if parked in the sun for 12-plus hours daily, but don't expect a significant amount of free solar-powered miles if you drive your Prime frequently.

My spartan SE model can't be had with this option, and it's got the most range of the bunch. So while the Solar Roof is undoubtedly cool, I don't think it's a must-have.

Watch this: Seen the New 2023 Prius? Here's Why It's Turning Heads

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Simple, effective cabin tech

Many cars in this class feature digital instrument clusters, but the Prius' 7-inch driver display sits higher and further forward on the dashboard than most. Its position (and lack of an overarching cowl) means the driver is able to position the steering wheel lower in their grip without blocking the speedometer, which I found results in more natural arm bend and rotation, better control when turning and reduced shoulder fatigue on longer trips. My one nitpick here is that the trip computer shows estimates for EV (mi/kWh) and hybrid (mpg) efficiency, but I couldn't find a cumulative estimate for both. I ended up calculating the old-fashioned way -- with a fill-up and a calculator -- which is only mildly inconvenient.

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An 8-inch central touchscreen (or an optional 12.3-inch unit) serves as the hub for media selection, navigation and vehicle settings. I mostly made use of the standard wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity during my testing, but Toyota's onboard maps and navigation software works quite well. Standard smartphone mirroring may be more important than you think; the onboard infotainment features -- audio streaming, smart home integration, digital key via the Toyota app, online search and more -- require a monthly subscription of $15 to $25 per month to keep operational after the first year, which is a bummer but increasingly common for modern cars.

My SE model arrived with the base 6-speaker audio system which I did not enjoy. Sound quality and clarity were good enough, but the A-pillar tweeters overpowered the main drivers, pulling the soundstage to the extreme corners of the dashboard rather than the center. My passengers didn't really seem to mind, but if, like me, you're the kind of person who pays particular attention to your driving tunes, it's worth giving the 8-speaker JBL Premium audio rig in the top-spec XSE Premium a listen before committing.

Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 tech

Every spec of the 2024 Prius Prime comes standard with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 safety technology package, rolling in full-speed adaptive cruise control and the automaker's Lane Tracing steering assist. The standard package also includes blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition, further boosting highway safety. 

At urban speeds, standard front and rear cross-traffic alerts can prevent collisions with vehicles approaching from the side when crossing an intersection or backing out of a driveway. Adding the optional Parking Brake Assist can even automatically pump the brakes if you get too close to an obstacle, person or pet at parking lot speeds. At just $35, this option is so weirdly cheap, I wonder why it's just not included as standard.

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That's a solid standard safety suite and stepping up to the top XSE Premium spec unlocks the option to add a bird's-eye surround camera system and Toyota's hands-free Advanced Park tech. However,  Toyota doesn't offer any sort of hands-free highway assist a la Super Cruise or BlueCruise though, at this price point, it isn't necessarily a dealbreaker.

Price, availability, recommended options

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime starts at $34,070 (including the $1,095 destination charge) and, frankly, this is the rare situation where the entry-point is probably the sweet spot. You get more-than-adequate driver aid and safety tech and the best EV range and fuel efficiency of the lineup. As tested, with optional floor mats, wheel locks and the weird $35 Brake Assist upgrade, our example arrived with a $34,434 price tag, which feels like a fair price for any car in this class and, especially, one of the thriftiest rides you can buy today.  

The XSE steps up to better looking wheels, nicer power seats with heated surfaces, automatic headlamps and a few more creature comforts for $37,320. The top-spec XSE Premium sets out at $40,765 -- bringing with it a larger touchscreen, an improved audio system, a dual-panel sunroof and more. If your budget will accommodate the XSE Premium, you may be tempted to Advanced Safety upgrades and Solar Roof option -- they're both pretty cool -- bringing you to a fully-loaded $43,010, but for most shoppers in this class, I'd recommend a less-is-more approach to trim levels and options.

Assembled in and imported from Japan, the Prius Prime does not qualify for the federal BEV/PHEV tax credit.

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You should avoid the 2024 Prius Prime if…

If you're never going to plug it in, you should avoid the 2024 Prius Prime. The normie Prius Hybrid is around $5,000 cheaper and even more efficient in its hybrid operating mode at 57 mpg combined. You lose the PHEV plug-in advantage and flexibility, but if you truly think you won't (or can't) plug-in regularly, the non-PHEV Prius is a thriftier choice than paying for and hauling around a big battery you're not going to use.

Alternatively, if you think you'll need more space than the Prius' 20.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity (with the rear seats upright), perhaps Toyota's RAV4 Prime is a better fit with around 50-percent more space (around 33.5 cubes) for bulky items. The small SUV also boasts more ground clearance than the Prius hatchback and is available with all-wheel drive, making it more ideal for poor weather and light trail driving than its low-slung front-wheel driven sibling.

You can find even more plug-in hybrid options of all shapes, sizes and budgets in our Best PHEVs of 2024 buyers guide. 

You should consider the 2024 Prius Prime if…

I've often find myself evaluating plug-in hybrids that aren't quite sure what they're trying to be. Some offer barely enough EV range to make it worth plugging in. Some are so heavy that they struggle to offer more efficiency than their combustion counterparts. And many are expensive enough to make thrifty buyers do a double take. 

And then there's the Prius Prime. It's not a sports car; it doesn't try to be a luxury car. It's also not perfect, but this is a vehicle that perfectly executes what it was designed to do -- to save you money with almost no drawbacks. It justifies its price with industry-leading efficiency. It boasts enough plug-in miles to meet most drivers' needs on electricity alone while also road-tripping with the convenience of fossil-fueled range. This is one of the easiest vehicle recommendations I can make for the widest range of drivers.

How we test plug-in hybrids

I've evaluated hundreds of conventional and electrified cars over the last 16 years, but the process always starts behind the wheel in real-world conditions on public roads. For each car I test, I cover over 200 miles on a mixed driving route that includes dense urban roads, long stretches of highway and some twisty mountain roads mixed in for fun and flavor. 

For PHEVs, specifically, I keep a close eye on the electric range and the charging experience. I also compare the performance between full-electric EVs and hybrid operating modes, noting any inconsistencies or advantages revealed. Factoring this alongside the driving dynamics (handling, acceleration and braking), I compare each vehicle to the competition in its class and models often cross-shopped to get the Performance score.. 

Along the way, I also check each car's cabin comfort, dashboard tech and driver aid and safety features (Design, Media and Features scores, respectively) to get a feel for where each vehicle fits in my experience testing hundreds of combustion, hybrid, hydrogen and, yes, battery-powered cars for CNET reviews.

• Performance: The efficiency, range and charging experience of an electrified vehicle, factoring in driving dynamics and comfort relative to other vehicles in a specific class.

• Media: The quality of the infotainment and dashboard technology, checking that desirable features (such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) are present, but also evaluating ease of use and organization, especially while in motion.

• Features: Driver assistance and safety technologies, both standard and optional, are weighed for our Features score. We check that desirable features are available, but also how well they work relative to industry standards and competing models.

• Design: Ergonomics, cabin comfort, available storage and more factor into the Design score. Unique features that make life easier and, to a degree, aesthetics also contribute to this category.