Flash Drive

2019 Toyota Prius Prime

June 2, 2019 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2019 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced Hatchback

The 2019 Toyota Prius Prime has a distinctive wedge shape that’s basically unchanged from the 2017 model.

Engine:1.8-liter I-4 gas plus electric motor, 121-horsepower

Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 54-mpg gas only, 133-mpge electricity plus gas

Base Price: $33,350

As Tested: $36,085

Performance:

Impressive fuel economy—our best was 66.4-mpg highway

Good acceleration with electric motor

The rear view illustrated the hatchback design, which adds practicality although the battery pack does intrude slightly.

assist

Odd shifter in lower center of dash, but it works fine

EV mode and EV Auto (when fully charged)

25-mile electric only range

Lane departure warning with steering assist

Blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert

Comfort:

Stretch-out front legroom

Driver power lumbar

The Prius dashboard is dominated by the 11.6-inch touchscreen.

Heated front seats

Comfortable driving position

Nice on long trips

Thick, slightly contoured heated steering wheel

Good auxiliary controls

Comfortable rear seat, but only two passengers

Center console instead of middle seating position

Good rear knee and shoe room

Slight floor hump

Front seats are comfortable and heated.

Good headroom

Quality JBL Audio system

Utility:

Big, wide hatch opens very high

Flat floor, but raised for batteries

Split folding rear seats have slight downward slant

Two, wide, vinyl seatback pouches

Rear door bins are bottle notches only

Rain sensing wipers

Medium size front door bins with bottle notches

Small, non-locking glovebox most filled by owner’s manual

The rear seats are comfortable, but there’s only room for two due to the fixed center console and armrest.

Deep console bin, but only opens toward driver

Pretty hard plastic sun visors

WOW Factors:

Impressive fuel economy

Head up display

Great safety features

Huge 11.6-inch touch screen

Solid, quality construction

Whines:

Polarizing styling–electric doesn’t have to equal eccentric

$899 for optional 15-inch alloy wheels

The Toyota Prius Prime has an electric only range of 25 miles.

Only four-passenger capacity

Bottom Line:

The 2019 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced (top trim level) is a fuel economy champ and it’s a very practical, comfortable, and spacious daily commuter. As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle it can make lots of short trips on electricity only thus minimizing gasoline consumption. Even on long trips the economy is very impressive.