Let's talk about the Prius AWD

Found some listings with a straight google search, but I didn't bother checking on existence at first because I knew there wouldn't be many if there were. It was the last to get a hybrid option, and then Mazda started cutting ties when Ford sold off their controlling interest.

 

That must explain the sluggishness everybody complains about in the Teslas ... no gas engine connection to the wheels.

 

I was thinking ground clearance was slightly less with the AWD option? Anyway Toyota Canada spec's them all the same:

Nothing's stopping you putting snow tires on the AWD model. That should be a good combo.

 

eAWD systems on hybrids do have operation limits based on the motors and battery power. The Prius' system uses a low power rear motor, which limits AWD use to starts and low speed. Use a larger motor, and the system becomes limited by what electricity M/G 1 can send after meeting the needs of the front traction motor. the battery can supplement that, if it has available charge.

A mechanical AWD system doesn't have those limits. If the engine is supplying power, power can go to all the wheels.

PHEVs and BEVs avoid the limits hybrids have on eAWD systems by having much bigger batteries.

 

Was it the AWD version with the 5.1"? That's the recollection I had; it struck me odd. Still, not even a 1/4" difference is pretty fiddly, lol.

 

Japan may not have road salt, but they have great snow removal.

 

This is $1,000 plus for the AWD, then another $600 plus for snows (depending on whether you have the snows on separate wheels). For my money, I'd just put the snows on, since the AWD is very limited in performance and power, and is unlikely to improve on the performance with FWD and snows.

 

If I had the AWD Prius I could NOT resist putting on snows, lol.