2022 – 2023 Electric Cars Electric and Hybrid Cars, SUVs and Pickup Trucks: News, Reviews, Prices and Releases
2020 Toyota Prius Prime comes with larger battery capacity, updated design and a couple of interior changes. The massive 8.8 kWh battery allows the vehicle to travel up to 25 miles on electric energy alone. When the battery is dried, the gasoline engine steps up for the total driving range of 640 miles. Charging time will take about two hours with the 240V outlet, and approximately 5 hours with the standard 120V charger.
Toyota includes numerous safety features as part of the standard equipment, as well as Apple CarPlay & Amazon Alexa integration. The new model is eligible for the tax credit, which makes it less expensive than the regular version. The main rivals on the market will be Hyundai Ioniq and Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime Changes
The company has successfully solved some of the issues from the previous model. Now, 2020 Toyota Prius Prime comes with a rear 5-seat bench, instead of 4-seat configuration. Also, the good news is that the Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa are included as a part of standard equipment. In the cabin, the black interior trim replaces the white, and the rear side gets a USB port as well.
Still, the small cargo area remains an issue. The engineers will try to improve the unenthusiastic acceleration, to provide a more pleasing feel and smoother driving. All in all, the Prius Prime is a reliable plug-in hybrid, and you should definitely check it out.
Design
The dimensions of 2020 Toyota Prius Prime are very similar to the standard Prius Hybrid model. However, Toyota adopts some design cues from hydrogen-powered Mirai, to establish a more prominent look of Prius Prime. For example, brand-new multi-lens headlights that look very polished will fit perfectly with this exceptional grille. On the back, LED taillights cover horizontally over the trailing edge of the carbon-fiber hatch, with sporty “dual-wave” glass.
But, like on all of the Prius versions, the split rear-window structure obscure the rear visibility a bit. As for the interior, one of the main improvements is the extension of the sun visor. Also, we mentioned two USB ports for passengers in the back. The drivers will be glad to hear that the seat-heater buttons are relocated to a rather reasonable place.
Yet, the first thing you gonna notice in this cabin is the massive 11.6-inch vertical display. This screen contains all the info you will need while driving. The small cargo area stays the main problem of the hatchback hybrid. Because of the larger battery, the cargo floor is set higher and restrains the space.
Engine
The forthcoming 2020 Toyota Prius Prime will offer a 1.8-liter four-cylinder powertrain and a dual-motor electric-drive setup. The combined power output is 121 hp/105 lb-ft of torque. The 8.8 kWh battery pack allows the car to travel 25 miles on electric energy alone. Furthermore, if you choose the 240V charger, the Prius Prime recharges for around two hours.
With the standard 120V outlet, the charging time takes about five hours. The driving range of plug-in hybrid is 640 miles, with a fully charged battery and a full tank. All versions of the Prime will have the FWD with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The EPA city/highway fuel economy is 54 mpg combine and 133 MPGe (EV mode).
2020 Toyota Prius Prime Competition
The two main rivals of the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime will be Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Hyundai Ioniq PHEV. Prime offers an efficient gasoline unit, but the Clarity Hybrid includes a bigger battery and better electric-only range. In the same way, Honda’s vehicle is larger, which means more room in the rear part.
Both interiors are equally well-equipped, but the Clarity system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android as well. The Hyundai PHEV brings more power and greater all-electric range than the Prime. However, Toyota’s hybrid is smoother for driving.
The Ioniq includes Android Auto only, while the Prime comes with Apple CarPlay. Both models are very space-efficient hatchbacks, with a comfortable seating configuration. Prius Prime is more expensive than the Ioniq, but the pricing king is the Honda Clarity with a $36,600 tag.
Release Date and Price
2020 Toyota Prius Prime comes with an MSRP starting just under $27,800. Actually, with the additional equipment, the hybrid will cost around $33,500. The starting price of the plug-in is approximately $3,500 higher, in comparison to the standard model.
But, let’s not forget that the electrical vehicles are eligible for a $4,500 worth of a federal tax credit. So, you get a hybrid hatchback that is more efficient and cheaper than the regular model. The release date is not yet confirmed. But, we expect that the production will start by the end of the year.
