Prius AWD-e - Rear Drive Layout and Spare Tire

The implication in that diagram is that the AWD-e version does NOT have a spare tire.

 

correct

 

Maybe. I wouldn't be surprised if they've nixed it; very vague wording. Intentionally vague?

Yeah I think you're right:

Same sized luggage compartment (456L) as 2WD vehicle equipped with spare tire

If only because every time Toyota does something clever with the Prius, it requires drop-kicking the spare, lol.

 

that's not something you advertise

 

Well, it should be only a few weeks until the 2019 specs are published online, at which this (and more) will be a lot clearer.

 

Cars.com is now purporting to show full specs for the 2019 Prius. Even though toyota.com is NOT.

For what it's worth, according to cars.com, the only version of the 2019 Prius that includes "compact spare tire" is the front-wheel drive LE trim (the spare tire is listed under the "Safety and Security" category). All other versions have something with the intriguing name of "tire mobility kit", listed under the "Seats and Trim" category.

On the other hand, the all-wheel-drive versions, in both the LE and XLE trim levels include fog lights (!)

More interestingly, all versions but the L trim level include "blind spot sensor" and "Rear collision / Rear Cross-Traffic Alert", both in the "Lighting, Visibility and Instrumentation" category.

 

The Two has had those since mid 2017 though. I know because I missed out.

 

Me too - it was about $8000 extra here.

 

It was not available on the Two until mid-2017 and then they added it as standard.

 

I can verify that the Highlander has one motor and two pivot axels for rear electric drive. I actually think this is a good idea. With a larger battery vehicles configured this way would be great on ice and snow if they have ground clearance.

 

Too bad that rear inverter is a rectangle, as a round disc, it might fit inside the spare.

 

Some might pull it out and start trying to pump the tyres up with it

 

Or worse, they might pull it out & try to mount it as a tyre.

 

LOL yeah, "funny looking things these new fangled electronic AWD spare tyres"

 

I just bought a 2020 AWD-e LX

• No Spare and as discussed no place to put a spare (the rear axle inverter is in the way).
  For now I have the narrow spare tire from my 2016 Prius in my hatch.
• I almost walked away from it since the entertainment system got me upset by not having a CD player and supporting Apple Play, but not Android Auto and now I have to have a portable CD player (Books on CD) and a Garmin when traveling. They wanted $1200 to swap the system for one that supported Android. At some point I'll install a 3rd party double din replacement system.
• The Dynamic Cruise Control is better behaved than the one in my 2016 Prius 3. It operates smoother and doesn't stop on the Interstate when the car in front of me turns off on an exit ramp.
• The set of safety features is more complete than on the 2016 (I had the optional safety package).
• I miss the "heads up" display, but that was associated with the built-in GPS.
• The Hybrid battery in the AWD-e is the older NiMh one that was in my 2004 Prius, not the Lithium in my 2016. I understand that decision by Toyota as it was the easy way to get more capacity (NiMh ~ 1.2 KWH, Lion ~ 700 KWH).
  The benefit for me is that I can utilize my experience with NiMh if/when the battery ages.

 

Interesting that there is no HUD. Even the base model PRIUS here, without GPS has got HUD. I absolutely love it - rarely look down.

Having no HUD was a turn-off with RAV4 - I was amazed that it's not available even on a $53,500 top of the range model.