Which trim to buy for winter fuel economy.

No Prius has ever used NiCad. If you want NIMH and don't need AWD, it is also in the base model.

I would go for AWD my self, traction help on bad days and it starts in colder weather. (I would hate waiting until 3 PM to start my car, because it got warmer I lived where it got down to -40C, nothing is fun at -40F)

 

First, you mean NiMH not NiCad.

Second, it really won't make much of a difference. I experienced the swap first hand going from a 2010 to 2012 PHV, same generation vehicle but different chemistries. When the 2012 was taken on trips and I couldn't recharge... I also live in Minnesota... it was no big deal. Now, I'm driving a 2017 Prime, that just fires up the engine and delivers remarkable MPG even without plugging in too. So, you can't go wrong.

Toyota setup the system for rapid warm-up. So even on those days where the car sits outside in the negative temps, it performs really well.

-9F is the coldest multi-day outside I have experienced recently. That meant committing the ultimate sin, warming up the engine a little (gasp!) before driving away. Otherwise, it has always been push the button and go... which says a lot coming from an owner who's driven Prius in Minnesota daily since late 2000.

 

I would say that if you don’t absolutely need the AWD then go with the front wheel drive. Less complicated and less to possible go wrong in the long run. I’m really quite happy with the traction I have in my 17 Prime. So much better than my 09 that I haven’t felt the need for snows so far

 

The old NiCad had 'memory', new chemistries don't.

 

^ Toyota engineers' less than eloquent solution to the AWD motor location. If you care to have a spare tire, the AWD model is out.

Whatever you decide, in your clime I would definitely get mounted snow tires and the block heater.

Some info, just what I went with for snow tires:

Corolla steel rim, part no: 42611-02471 (2003-2008 corolla or matrix, CE, LS, S)
steel rim lug nuts, part no: 90942-01007 (plain, open-ended, galvanized)

And the latest part number I have for block heater, having just replaced ours. It's third gen, may or may not still be compatible, check with parts dept:

PU140-00905

Still, with a new car purchase, I would just ask if they can obtain and install the block heater, and for what price. The install is not fun on 3rd gen, suspect it's about the same or worse, on 4th gen, but who knows.

Also, Toyota USA seems to have never heard of block heaters. I can get one relatively easily here, in California North, but North Central US, where you REALLY need them, not an option??

 

I think you are OVERTHINKING this.
It is a common disease among hybrid owners.
Sounds to me like the extra money you will spend will be wasted.

 

If you get an XLE, you'll have heated seats, so at least your backside will be warmer.

 

I see what you did there.. lol

oh I need to google this. While it doesn't get down to that level or lower where I'm at in WI often, it has been known to, and I own a 2018 Two Eco with the Li Ion. I'm wondering what I'd need to do if I had to drive in temperatures that low. Is there a battery pack heater? do you just start the engine, and once the cabin warms up, the battery pack will come up to operating temperature?

 

Not sure if you purchased your car yet but I have some numbers on the fuel economy of our PIP and Prime:

PIP: 10 miles per day. 45mpg. my commute is about 1.6 miles. Very steep hill on the way home.
30% ev driving. So in reality maybe 40 mpg driving 2 to 5 miles at a clip. Pretty bad, but considering I was getting 15 or so with a camry v6 last year, a large improvement.


2019 Prime. 50 mile round trip commute.
We saw 64% EV driving this winter. OD read 96MPG.

Assuming 50mpg gasoline and 133 equivalent electric, its more than 100mpg. We are on track for $600/year in gasoline while maintaining this fairly long commute and only plugging in at home.


I don't think you can get much more efficient than a Prius Prime in the winter. Easily 2x more efficient than the regular model @ 50 miles per day. Around 25 miles per day would approach 133 mpge.

I note that The hybrid heating system does not make the vehicle start up as much as the regular Prius or PIP. If it gets too cold it still fires up.