2023 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV matches the GT86’s acceleration [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release date’ section updated.

With a sleek and sporty exterior, an upscale interior, and spirited performance, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV dares all Prius naysayers and trolls to rethink their stand. And it does that while being more efficient. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the 2023 Prius Prime is Toyota’s most exciting product (on the electrified side of its line-up) in years! After several mediocre seasons, the Prius brand finally has the chance to score another home run.

Performance

It’s unusual for us to begin talking about a Toyota with the performance section, but the 2023 Prius Prime is a special case. Toyota’s thrown in everything it’s got before it goes all-electric and is making big claims about the new Prius’ performance aspects.

The 2023 Toyota Prius PHEV packs the company’s all-new, fifth-gen hybrid powertrain linked to a larger, 2.0L engine and a newly developed lithium-ion battery pack. Toyota says it has optimized the location of the traction battery pack from the previous generation and placed it under the rear seat, which has lowered the center of gravity and also improved luggage capacity.

The 2023 Prius Prime’s hybrid system develops 220 horsepower, which is a whopping 82% improvement from the previous model’s 1.8-liter engine-based powertrain (121 horsepower). The result – 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds! That means the 2023 Prius Prime is as quick as the 2023 GR86 automatic, which is impressive.

Range

The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is just as impressive in its main aspects, which are efficiency and electric driving range. Toyota claims the electric driving range of the 2023 Prius Prime is more than 50% higher than that of the previous model (25 miles). So, the all-new plug-in hybrid EV should allow driving nearly 40 miles on electric power. Toyota has used a larger battery pack in the redesigned car. For reference, the previous model has an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion unit.

The new Toyota hybrid car is also equipped with a solar roof. The roof-mounted solar panels deliver supplemental power to peripheral devices like air conditioning.

Grades

Toyota will sell the 2023 Prius Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S. market in three grades: SE, XSE, and XSE Premium.

2023 Toyota Prius Prime SE

The SE grade will have 17-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, rain-sensing wipers, an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen infotainment system, six USB-C ports, SofTex and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Traffic Jam Assist, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). Front and rear parking sensors with an automatic braking function will be optional.

2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE

The XSE grade will include 19-inch unique wheels, clear tail lights, passive keyless entry, auto-dimming IRVM with Home Link, heated front seats, SofTex seat covers, wireless charger, direct light illumination, and front and rear parking sensors with an automatic braking function. Customers will be able to specify a fixed glass roof, the 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen infotainment system, and digital key optionally.

2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium

The XSE Premium grade will come with the 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen infotainment system, digital key, and fixed glass roof as standard. Its standard equipment will include an 8-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, power liftgate, and ventilation and memory functions for the front seats as well. A solar glass roof, 360-degree camera system, rear seat heater, digital IRVM, and Advanced Park will be available.

Colors

The next-gen Toyota Prius Prime will be available in five colors:

• Wind Chill Pearl
• Cutting Edge
• Guardian Gray
• Black
• Supersonic Red

Price & Release date

Prices of the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime could start at around USD 31,000. Toyota will announce the price and on-sale date by June 2023. Meanwhile, the company is promoting the 2023 Prius Prime at various public events in America. It will display the all-new plug-in hybrid car at the 2023 Philadelphia Auto Show, which will take place from January 27, 2023, to February 5, 2023.

Trim	2023 Toyota Prius Prime Price (Expected)
SE	~USD 31,000
XSE	~USD 33,000
Premium	~USD 37,000

Sales

Sales of the Toyota Prius Prime saw a massive decline in 2022. Toyota delivered 25,042 units of the plug-in hybrid car in 2021, but in 2022, it fulfilled just 11,857 orders. The company hasn’t revealed the reason behind the 52.7% year-over-year drop in its sales, but limited availability from the Tsutsumi plant (Toyota City, Japan) could be the main factor.

The Toyota Prius was also in the red in 2022. With 25,062 units delivered, year-over-year sales were 26.2% down (2021: 33,968 units). Together, the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius Prime recorded 36,919 units in annual sales in 2022, 37.4% lower than in 2021 (59,010 units).

TopElectricSUV says

The new Prius Prime is an impressive plug-in hybrid electric car with an emotional exterior, a premium and high-tech interior, solid performance, and a good pure electric driving range. If you’re searching for a new compact PHEV, this new all-rounder has to be on your shopping list.

2023 Toyota Prius Prime FAQs

Featured Image Source: Toyota