What I don't like about the Prius Prime

In Canada, the 2017 Fusion Energi SE starts at $34,888. The 2015 PiP goes for $35,905 (Yep, it's still on the website). We never got the price drop of the PiP that the US had. The equivalent Fusion SE Hybrid starts at $29,088 ($28,388 for the Fusion S Hybrid but I'm guessing no one's buying that one). Oddly, the Titanium versions of each one has the smallest difference, at $2,300. I'm guessing the Titanium version of the Fusion Energi has a few missing things? I didn't check. The Fusion is larger for passengers than the Prius Prime so I don't know if it'll be priced accordingly. It does have a larger trunk (slightly... and we're talking real trunk space and not the inflated 19.75 cu ft)

Prototype designation just means the vehicle in display isn't produced up to production standards. This could mean the possibility of loose fittings or misaligned panels, plastics without the proper moulding or finish or equipment that may or may not be on the final production version. Anyone wishing that the Prime will magically appear in showrooms as a 5 passenger is living in lala land. Nothing that large will be modified this late in the game. At the earliest, it will be with the midlife update but more likely is the next gen Prime.

For example, the NYC version had a black front/rear console appliqué. This won't be in the final production version because it will be offered as an accessory. That being said, I didn't notice anything on the Prime compared to the prototype versions of the Gen 3 that I saw in previews (which were missing finishes and had loose fittings). Manufacturers will always label prototypes because they're not

god damn it bisco. Stop spreading stuff that gets misinterpreted . The "Prime" line is Toyota's answer to Ford's "Energi" line. It's used to distinguish the plug-in models. This means any future Toyota PHV will carry the Prime name, e.g. Camry Prime or RAV4 Prime.

That's what TMS marketing wants you to think. It's easier to sell it as a separate model with a separate name (like what Ford does with the "Energi" suffix). With Prius PHV, people were getting confused because they thought the Prius didn't need to be plugged in (all those years of "it's a hybrid and never needs to be plugged in" advertisements now backfire with the launch of a plug-in Prius lol).

 

Yeah so they'll probably have it at the back of their minds for the refresh and see how initial reactions are from other owners (who aren't PCers lol. They already know our stance). They could redesign the charger to lay flatter under the rear seat so that they can add the cushion back. I'm just happy they put a console there. They could've gone the el cheapo route and put a plastic tray like the Echo Hatchback (which you guys didn't get. Here's a reference photo I found off Google image search)


2004-2005 Echo Hatchback rear seat.


They couldn't certify it for 5 seats for Canada so they made it a 4-passenger and put a tray there.

 

I'm just imagining "please do not sit in the middle position" in a polite Japanese voice. They even embroidered the i-MIEV logo lol.

 

Two generations ago, a Dodge Caravan could not safely carry 7 average American adults because it would exceed its payload rating. It's the same with the Prius (but a 5th average American wouldn't fit in the middle anyway)

 

And you're right. It is the first time this has been explained. You have 7 active Prius Experts (and 2 less active Prius Experts) on PriusChat that are the medium between TMS and PriusChat. We'll tell you whatever isn't under NDA and sometimes we'll keep things until someone decides to ask the right questions haha.

Picture this. You're at dinner and someone is curious about that new car parked outside. It's your Prius Prime. Now assuming they're not hybrid evangelists or engineers, they want to know what's special about it. The name "Prime" makes it easier for them to remember. It's a label and I think works better for the non-enthusiasts than "plug-in hybrid". This wouldn't be a problem if the Prius wasn't originally a hybrid. I've explained to people the difference between mine and the plug-in version. Sometimes they get it, (oh it's just a variations of it) and sometimes they don't (so you only have to plug-in sometimes?). The public hasn't quite grasp the concept of different battery sizes as options just like different engine sizes. (And yes, most just know the "Tesla". They don't know it's called a Model S and they most likely don't know there are different versions of the Model S because they all look so similar on the road).

Non-car people ask me, "oh doesn't Hyundai have a Blue-something hybrid model?" "You mean the Sonata Hybrid? Blue Drive is Hyundai's name for ecological and green models". The same for "SkyActiv". People pick out these keywords. Ford was smart launching the PHEV lineup with the "Energi" tag. Toyota is now following with the "Prime" badge. That one word explains what it is without having to go into details.

They may be the same cars but I think it might have been something to do with the way the rear of the car of the Echo Hatchback was designed versus the Ist/xA. Perhaps the Ist was more cheaply modifiable for TMS to meet rear crash standards? Our standards are the same as the U.S. (esp. now that we've removed the 5mph bumper standard and reverted back to the U.S.' 3mph bumper standard)