Hello all, I got an email the other day from Toyota about 0% APR/36 months for 2020 hybrids, including Prius Prime. I currently own a 2018 Prime with just shy of 10k miles, and love the car—except the fact that it has only two back seats—even that hasn't really been a major issue but it kind of annoyed me that they found a way to add a fifth seat in 2019 or 2020. So I did the little online appraisal thing through Toyota, which reported my current car is worth $20,636–$22,635. When the dealer contacted me saying they "would be willing to pay way above market value for it," I thought I might be able to get a brand new Prime for almost nothing (especially since I'd be getting financing at 0%). So I stopped in at the dealer today where, naturally, they changed their tune a little bit in terms of what they can offer me for my car. At this point I don't think it's worth the upgrade, but considering I'd get another $4400 EV tax credit I can't totally rule out this idea quite yet. What I'm trying to find out is, aside from the third back seat, what are the major differences between the 2018 and 2020 Prius Prime? I think Apple CarPlay has been added, but I've had a hard time finding any straight comparisons between the two vehicles. Otherwise are they basically the same or are there other major upgrades that might make this idea make more sense? For what it's worth I have the Plus (basic) version of the 2018 Prime and I'd be considering the LE (basic) version of the 2020 Prime. Thanks.
5th seat Apple CarPlay Amazon Alexa Extendable sunvisors (Well just a tab that slides out) Roller tonneau cover on all models Relocated heated front seat switches Replace rear 12V outlet with 2 USB 2.1A outlets Larger Qi wireless charging pad Moonstone changed from white/black to white/light grey New aerodynamic wheel covers Minor MID changes Slightly different charge port cover Black accent trim (no more partial white and black accent trims) Remove inner door frame covers (exposed painted door frames) No more Prime Apps Base model has ScoutGPS (instead of built-in nav) Supersonic Red replaces Hypersonic Red
Thanks. I did find a way to compare specs on Car & Driver, though it doesn't go into that level of detail. Hard to imagine it would be worth about $10k to roll back my odometer, get a fresh battery, new warranty etc. I probably won't do it but this is all good info.
Yeah, they are basically the same car mechanically and electronically. I live in NE and with Toyota rebate, dealer discount and state and fed incentives, I ended up trading in my 2017 Prime Premium with 2020 Prime LE with just about no money out of pocket (after next year fed tax return and savings on 2 years of maintenance and a new set of tires I needed to purchase if I did not trade-in.) My motivation was not so much about upgrading but for me downgrading the things I did not like about the Premium trim I had. Yeah, 5th seat and relocated seat heater switches are good upgrades, but I really wanted to get rid of the 11.6" screen and SofTex seats. I just hated those two things on my previous PRIME. I do miss 3 door SKS, auto headlight, and power seat, but for no money, I got to exchange a 3 years old car with a brand new car. I am happy.
Yeah I have a 2018 too and I'd wait til the next gen (esp. seeing what we've seen on the RAV4 Prime). It's fundamentally the same car.
I have received similar emails from two Toyota dealers. Mine has just 12K miles on it. I am waiting a few months until the RAV4 Prime is available. I would be able to replace two cars with it; my Prime and a 2002 4Runner.
One of the biggest things that makes the 2020 a very good upgrade is this: 10-year, 150,000 mile hybrid battery warranty. More than just the interior knick-knacks and convenience features, the longer and higher mileage battery warranty seems to be a real and I think very valuable upgrade from the older Prime models. The 2019 and older Primes had the hybrid battery under the "hybrid system" warranty at 8yr/100k. The 10yr/150k seems like a good reason to upgrade, IMO....of course if you do plan to keep the car for a very long time....
I'm holding on to my 2017 until the next redesign, hoping it will have significantly more EV mileage.
Yeah, to OP I would think that an upgrade for another car in the same generation (2 years apart) is a rather expensive proposition, where he is paying a steep price to add a few features for effectively the same car. Basically, taking the steepest depreciation hit possible... I would suggest waiting at least another year for the 2022 model, which is expected to be a model redesign, on the typical Toyota 6-year cycle (well, 5 for Prime since there was no ‘16 Prime model..). Of course, I suppose that could mean the Prime redesign only comes in 2023... Who knows, really. Personally, I am hoping to get a good deal on a ‘20 at some point (maybe once the 21’s are available, or get one used?) to replace my ‘14 PiP, as Toyota finally fixed the two main things I didn’t like about the 17-19 models (4 seats & absence of CarPlay)... I just have other financial priorities right now, and buying a new car isn’t top of the list, unfortunately. Currently have 176k KM on my ‘14, so mileage is starting to get up there, but still lots of life left and still running great... That said, to each their own....
I thought I remember reading that the prime had slightly less rear seat room and cargo space, due to the bigger battery.
You're thinking 4 seats vs. 5 seats. Rear seat room is the same. 2020 onwards has 5 seats so that’s been changed. You’re correct that cargo room has been reduced from a total of 24.6 or 27.4 cu. ft. in the regular Prius to 19.1 cu. ft.
Well, it's not necessarily always an expensive proposition. Our dealer gave us a $22,800 trade in on our 2018 Prime Premium (which exceeded both the KBB and Edmunds trade in estimates) back at the end of January. The car had 15.5K miles and was in excellent condition, but wow! The $3000 Toyota rebate and dealer incentives were commensurate with other dealers in the area, but they knocked it out of' the park with the trade in and, with the Federal tax incentive factored in we moved to a two year newer upgrade (from Premium to Limited) model for about $2500 net... not too shabby. And yes, we LOVE the additional features in our new baby (which played a large part of our motivation)!
Well, sounds like you got a great deal, congrats! I wouldn’t blame you for taking that, as it sounds almost too good to be true.
In US East, with Toyota's deep incentives, there were few of us who actually made money by trading in 2017 PRIME to 2018 and then again 2018 to 2019. In fact, I might have read someone who traded in the same year model within a year, and still came out ahead. I also traded my 2017 PRIME Premium 40k mile to a brand new 2020 PRIME LE. In my case trade-in value was below KBB value, but with rebates and discount and fed credit due next year, I ended up paying ~$1000 out of my pocket. Considering I was due to purchase a new set of tires and I was out of free TOYOT Care maintenance, those costs subtracted, it ended up no-cost trade for me. My prime objective in trading Premium (now XLE) to LE was to get rid of the large 11.6" screen and SofTex seats two features I hated in my previous PRIME. I gained 5th seat and Safety Connect + WiFi Connect in return, though I don't use any of those features.
