Sunday Drive: 2024 Toyota Prius Prime redefining efficiency and style
Toyota has long been a pioneer in the hybrid vehicle market, and the 2024 Prius Prime continues this legacy with an impressive blend of efficiency, technology and style.
As the plug-in hybrid version of the iconic Prius, the Prime offered both electric-only driving capability and the convenience of a gasoline engine, making it a unique option for a variety of driving needs.
We always love having a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for our test drives as it becomes literally an obsession to see how high we can get the MPG to register in the vehicle by plugging in every night and utilizing as much of the electric side as we can during our daily drives.
Sleek and modern design
The 2024 Prius Prime featured a sleek, aerodynamic design that sets it apart from its predecessors. Yes, it has an awesome new look — dare we say venturing toward that of a Tesla?
Toyota has made significant efforts with the redesign to make the Prius not only functional but also visually appealing. The front end boasted a sharp, aggressive look with a distinctive grille and sleek LED headlights. The overall body shape was sculpted to minimize drag, enhancing both efficiency and aesthetics. The rear end featured unique taillights and a pronounced spoiler, giving the car a sporty edge.
The interior of the Prius Prime was equally impressive, with a clean, modern layout that emphasized technology and comfort. The driving cluster had been moved in front of the driver instead of the center of the console — a huge improvement, in our opinion.
High-quality materials and finishes were used throughout, creating a premium feel. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The cargo area also was generous, thanks to the clever placement of the battery pack. Craig was even able to use it as his “take everything to the fair” vehicle as he set up the first couple of days for the Utah County Fair.
Advanced Technology
The Prius Prime was packed with advanced technology that enhanced both convenience and safety. The centerpiece of the interior was the large, vertically oriented touch screen infotainment system, which proved to be intuitive and easy to use.
It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa, ensuring seamless connectivity with our smartphones. The system also included a premium JBL audio system, providing excellent sound quality.
One of the standout features of the Prius Prime was its advanced driver assistance systems that come standard in any of Toyota’s lineup. Toyota’s Safety Sense suite offered a range of features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. These features helped to make driving safer and more relaxed, particularly on our longer journeys.
Efficient performance
At the heart of the 2024 Prius Prime was its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided a total system output of 121 horsepower, which may not sound like much, but it proved to be more than adequate for typical driving scenarios. The Prius Prime exceled at city driving, where its electric motor provided smooth, quiet acceleration.
The electric-only range of the Prius Prime is one of its key selling points. With a full charge, the car can travel up to 44 miles on electric power alone, which we found to be more than sufficient for our daily commutes.
When the battery is depleted, the gasoline engine seamlessly takes over, providing a total range of over 600 miles on a charge and full tank of gas. This dual capability makes the Prius Prime a versatile choice, capable of both short, emissions-free trips and longer journeys without the need for frequent recharging.
After a week with the Prius just doing our normal drives around town and to/from work, we averaged an amazing 57.1 mpg and had 356 miles of gas range left in the tank. In fact, we had hardly even moved the needle on the gas gauge. For normal use, we would probably only have to fill up the tank once every three months or so.
Charging the Prius Prime is straightforward. Using a standard 120-volt household outlet, the battery can be fully charged in about five and a half hours. With a 240-volt Level 2 charger like we have, this time was reduced to approximately two hours.
Driving experience
Driving in the 2024 Prius Prime was characterized by its smoothness and efficiency. It was like always being in “stealth mode” getting around town. The transition between electric and gasoline power was virtually imperceptible, ensuring a seamless experience. The car handled well, with responsive steering and a very comfortable ride.
The regenerative braking system in the Prius Prime was another highlight. It helped to recharge the battery while driving and provided strong and consistent braking performance. The system proved to be well-tuned, offering smooth deceleration without the harshness that can we have found in some other hybrids.
Practicality and versatility
The Prius Prime was designed with practicality and versatility in mind. The spacious interior provided plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making it a great choice for families or those who need to carry a lot of stuff around.
The rear seats can be folded down to further increase cargo space, making it easy to transport larger items, as Craig found on his various trips to the fairgrounds from our home.
At the end of the week
As is the case with most of our Toyota drives, we found the new Prius Prime to be a compelling choice for anyone looking for a versatile, efficient and stylish plug-in hybrid. Its combination of electric-only driving capability and a gasoline engine provided the best of both worlds, offering the convenience of a traditional car with the benefits of electric power.
With its advanced technology, comfortable interior and impressive efficiency, the Prius Prime stands out as one of the best options in the hybrid market for an everyday driver.
Base price: $32,675
Destination charge: $1,095
Price as driven: $34,184
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- Craig was able to take the Prius Prime on various trips to the Utah County Fair loaded with things he would need during fair week.
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- Inside the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium.
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- The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium.
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- Inside the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium.
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- The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium.
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- Inside the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium.
