Torquenews compares Prius Prime to BMW i3-REx

Source: 2016 BMW i3 REx vs. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime – Which Suits Your Lifestyle? - Torque News

Ok, so I have reasons for reading this review. I thought it was a little light on technical details. Still, fair enough for what they do.

Bob Wilson

 

Outside of Argonne Labs reports, Car and Driver are the next best for technical content. But my favorite, the Edmunds Smackdown series apparently are no more:

• Argonne Labs - with 0.1 second resolution, outstanding fuel/energy consumption data. I can and have replicated their results in 'real life.'
• Car and Driver - their skid pan, G-meter, and general vehicle review are great for whole car performance.
• Edmunds Spackdown - real-life, three day, three phase, 3-4 car, head-to-head test drives.

I think January would be an excellent time to run 3-4 plug-ins on a head-to-head test:

• Prius Prime
• BMW i3-REx
• Volt
• Ford C-MAX (or Fusion plug-in)

Bob Wilson

 

Uh, the ratio is reversed ... it if exists at all.

First state the mission requirements (i.e., who is it meant to support).

Then list the mandatory and optional (or weighted) requirements.

Then we can assign a weighting to each requirement and add up the score of each vehicle. ... Basic system engineering.

Bob Wilson

 

There is a risk of using just purchase price as a decade and a half of Prius skeptics have claimed non-hybrids to be a better buy (Yugo anyone?) Still I understand so I used the same approach applied in September-October 2005 ... buy used.

When the local Toyota dealers were whacking the Gen-2 with $2-4,000 mark-ups, I bought a used Gen-1 Prius, $17.4k with 49,000 miles. So let's see if that is an option today with the BMW i3-REx.

Source: BMW i3 Range Extender | eBay

• VIN:WBY1Z4C52EV273300 - use BMW VIN checker (ask Mr. Google) for options
• Mileage: 2,249
• Warranty to: July 2018
• Battery to: July 2024
• $29.9k (same as I paid for mine)

This is a price NOT dependent upon having enough Federal and/or State tax savings to bring a Prius Prime into the $30k range. So non-incentive states and those who don't have that sort of Federal tax rate, this is a good buy.

Having driven our BMW i3-REx: 463 miles over the 2,800 ft., I-40 pass; 700 miles Huntsville-to-Stillwater OK, and; 700 miles back. I've always driven at 65 mph in our Prius and pre-Prius cars. Getting 39 instead of 52 MPG is not so hot but affordable. Then arriving with a 72 mile range EV. Like today:








The Prius Prime looks to be a good car ... along with the Volt ... along with the Ioniq (if it ever arrives.) But each has been optimized for what matches different buyer requirements.

Personally, I like EV range with gas backup. Others will want efficient highway with some EV range. There are all ranges in between. So pick your poison and be happy.

So we have a 2010 Prius that can be used for highway travel and easily match the Prius Prime. But then we arrive with a hybrid, not an EV. Worse, one that lacks the safety features and dynamic cruise control. So it makes sense to take the highway MPG hit, use the dynamic cruise control, the safety features, and be EV when we arrive. Others are free to choose a different mix.

Bob Wilson

 

Sorry but the base is not close to my loaded BMW i3-REx:

Thanks! I had read something else but this corrected the record: Prime Mover: Toyota Maxes Out Tech and Style in the World’s Best-Selling Hybrid to Create the 2017 Prius Prime | Toyota

2017 Prius Prime Prices
MODEL# GRADE MSRP
1235 Prius Prime Plus $27,100 (No USB port, no remote AC)
1237 Prius Prime Premium $28,800 (Close to my loaded BMW i3-REx)
1239 Prius Prime Advanced $33,100 (Close to my loaded BMW i3-REx)
All prices listed above exclude the Delivery, Processing, and Handling (DPH) fee.​

I'm reminded of the Macintosh angst. Buy the latest hotness even though there are rumors of a better one coming. But I didn't have this option the first week of May ... nor even the last week of May. You have to live with the facts and data as they exist the day you pays.

Upon closer inspection of the different Prius Prime grades, my loaded BMW i3-REx at $29.9k vs $28.8-33.1k Prius Prime Premium/Advanced (plus some overhead,) I don't mind the correction except to point out my BMW i3-REx is on the driveway and about to run an errand. Good, fast, cheap: pick two. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

While checking on the MSRP price, I found the product specifications: 2017 Prius Prime Product Information | Toyota

This gives me a table I can compare to my BMW i3-REx although some specs are a little 'light.' For example, this document does list the charging rate in kW. In contrast, my BMW i3-REx handles up to 7.2 kW @240VAC (i.e., L2).

Bob Wilson