Prius vs Prime

Normally if you are not plugging in, then the regular Prius is for you. The big exception to that is Califrornia where Prime qualifies for free HOV status. There is new HOV legislation coming, I think it limits the benefits to 4-years...that could make for some interesting new strategies...so let's wait to Gov Brown to sign the Bill and see what we got.

 

The Prime has a Federal Tax credit advantage and in a lot of instances will be better equipped and less expensive than most of the regular Prius lineup. A discounted Prime Plus will be less expensive than all Prius models

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Even without plugging in I believe the Prime gets better mileage due to the higher capacity battery.

 

this takes a bit of research.

1) price depends on the level of prime, and rebates/tax credits available to you.

2) prime does not charge the battery enough to make it more useful than lift back, in most situations.

3) prime has a smaller hatch, 4 seats and no spare tyre.

4) prime may have some advantages over lift back in terms of standard equipment, see the chart in the gen 4 sticky.

 

I agree with all of the above posts...that pretty much lays out the options

 

But only over relatively short distances. Should you travel further than the EV range, I understand the fuel consumption is generally greater than the comparable Prius hatchback due to the additional weight of the larger battery pack.

 

On the PiP, it was somewhat controversial if the bigger battery gave better hybrid-mode (no plugging-in) MPG. Consumer Reports said PiP was a little less MPG in hybrid mode due to extra weight, but many owners here said PiP was in fact better MPG.

 

Never having driven a Prius Plug-in or a Prime myself, I can stand correction, but I've read a few recent reviews of the Prime on line and gleaned that opinion from those. Sorry I can't recall what and where I read.

 

I'm not trying to explain why but in pure HV mode only, my Prime gets much better HV MPG than my 2010 Prius II. I had to work hard in the 2010 to get the mpg the Prime gets out of the box in no brain HV mode. The Prime rides and handles so much better than my 2010 due the extra weight of the battery. It's a big factor if you drive a lot. Is any of that worth it for someone who will never plug in? Only they can decide that.

PS, I did test drive a 2017 Prius IV touring and the bigger battery of the Prime makes the ride way better than the IV.

 

A larger capacity battery can net more energy from proactive, gentle braking. If the driver, like most reviewers, tends to braking harder and later, and likely followed by harder acceleration, then the pack weight can hurt efficiency.

 

2017, yes full Dynamic Radar Cruise Control..
2016 Prius 2 only had standard cruise control. Radar cruise was not even available for the 2016 2.