I'm curious why Toyota's website indicates the 2018 models, with the exception of the Prime and a couple of other models like the Mirai. I've heard some say there will be no difference between the 2017 and 2018 Prius Prime's but if this is the case, why isn't the Toyota website indicating the 2018 Prime on their site, as it is with most of their other models? My thoughts are, Toyota wants to make sure dealers sell off their '17 Primes before shipping the '18's OR perhaps Toyota made some upgrades to the 2018 Prime's and if that's the case that would be another reason to make sure the '17's are sold before the '18's ship. Thoughts?
The magazine articles I've read, seem to indicate that the 2018 Prime will be basically unchanged from the 2017. They definitely want to give dealers a chance to get rid of all 2017's, which will become very unattractive stock with the arrival of 2018's. I get a sense that the incentives will probably continue on the Prime due to Toyota's need to offset "gashog" sales with plug-ins in the ZEV/CARB states for 2018. .
My guess is that many local dealers are discounting the Prime through October to clear house of 2017 models first. (Last month was when I got mine, admittedly, I wasn't even aware that there were discounts happening.) Imagine the overstock if the 2017 and 2018 are so similar, and then there are so many 2017s on the lots still not yet sold.
all 2018 models are not released at the same time, and they don't go on the website at least until a release date has been set. i don't think we know when they will be available yet.
Car and Driver stated there will be no change in the 2018 Prime model Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Me too. It would be interesting how they know that considering not a single dealer I've talked to knows any about the 2018 Prime (and if they did they'd be very happy to order me one!). I've been driving since the mid-60's and I can't remember any car that didn't have at least some minor improvements or changes during a new model year, but we'll see. I figure it can't do much harm holding off another month or so, or until the 2018 Prime specs come out on the Toyota website. It would really piss me off to buy a '17 now, and in a few weeks find out the '18's have been improved.
I just noticed on CarsDirect.com is showing Toyota is offering the following purchase/lease incentives on the 2017 Prime: Rebate: $1,000 in customer cash Finance: 0.9% APR for 60 months Lease: From $349/mo. for 36 mo. Seems to me that if the 17 and 18 Prime's are really to be identical it would be a simple matter of Toyota making a model year change on their website, and jack the price up a bit on the 18's. A 2018 model year price increase would certainly provide plenty of incentive to move the 17's, and the buying/leasing incentives above wouldn't be required. I'm guessing we're going to see some changes to the '18's.
Read the Car And Driver Sept issue . In the near end of the issue they have blurbs in every manufacture. Read the Toyota blurb Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
so.....I have to put on my clothes, get in my car and go to my local magazine store? and spend money on a magazine just to read the Toyota Blurb?
Why? Incentives are $3000 or thereabouts for '17, and the '18 according to my local dealer is "same model." You want to spend more money on a (marginally) improved vehicle? '17 runs great for me. Who knows, maybe there will be an "improved" tacky white gear shifter.
How about the BMW i3-REx? Don't forget to make the gas mileage match the Chevy Volt. Then make the back glass flat and add a wiper. Then replace the rear center console with a seat. . . . Each car is configured to solve a specific mission profile and if it matches your requirements, good: Prius Prime - minimum EV range, minimum seats, maximum gas efficiency Volt - medium EV range, max seats, medium gas efficiency BMW i3-REx - maximum EV range, minimum seats, minimum gas efficiency Since we have a Prius Prime and BMW i3-REx, I get to choose which one to take on any given trip. If three EV stops or less, the Prius Prime. If more than three EV stops, the BMW i3-REx. If going further than 150 miles, the Prius Prime. Bob Wilson
History and logic says that the battery will be exactly the same as the 2017. In 20 years of making the Prius they have never changed the battery until they have come out with a new generation, if I remember correctly. It makes sense to keep it the same from a maintenance and spare parts point of view. Cars aren't like cell phones and PCs. They are big and heavy; shipping and stocking parts is expensive and takes up space at dealers and regional centers. And the vehicles are expected to last well over 10-15 years and have parts available. Additionally the actual warranty is up to 10 years 150K miles on these cars. Imagine Apple doing warranty work on an original iPhone from 2007. Mike
Agreed. Although I would love a larger battery, I understand Toyo's approach. A bigger battery takes up more room and weighs more. I would not want less room and a heavier car. Improving the battery technology should be the way to provide more EV range. Lighter weight batteries, more energy dense etc.
I know it technically has more seats than the Prime, but it's still weird to see the words "max seats" be applied to the Volt!
