2018 Prime braking noise

Don't worry that completely normal.
The low speed catchy braking your referring to is the prime's regen braking being its unpredictable self
I'm just joking about that the prime's regen braking is fine but like the idea of the Chevy bolt were you use a paddle mounted on the steering wheel to regen.

 

normal, can you post the sound?

catchy is when the regen cuts out and friction pads cut in. they are usually rusty from non use.

 

Mine make noise too...more-than-likely its "rusty" rotors...so to clean them off...drive at a slow to moderate speed...pop the car into neutral...and then brake...the friction of the brakes will clean off the rotors...when you are in neutral, you will use friction braking...we've had this issue with all my prii since 2004...Do this after it rains or there is moisture...the grabbiness and or noise will go away and or diminish when you "clean the rotors"...

 

Don't the pads take over when you come to a complete stop? Or am I misunderstanding the role they play on the car?

 

the pads are actually in use any time you step on the brakes. it is a combination of foot pressure and speed.
light braking puts very little pressure on the pads at speeds over 7 mph. as you push harder, the pads work more.
at 7mph and lower, it's all pads, no regen.

 

I have been looking at ScanGauge II values to watch the cutover from regeneration to friction across our lifetime Prius fleet (Gen II, PiP, v, and Prime) and as long as you are braking within the Charge area of the energy regeneration status graphic no friction brakes are applied. I have also noticed that the Gen II cut-over to friction braking only at/near 7mph, and that cut-over speed got lower with each new Prius our family got. I see the PiP and v cut over to friction braking only between 3 or 4 MPG. I have not checked the Prime yet.

In the Prime, I hit a known bump that can cause the brakes to switch from regen to friction and make it feel like you are accelerating for a split second, and it was the smoothest switch of any Prius in our fleet. Don't think it would freak drivers out like it has in the past. Good job continuing improving the brake systems Toyota.