Featured Poised for Performance: 2023 Toyota Prius Prime Revealed | 50% increased EV range, 220 HP

If you ever make the mistake of leaving a map light on, and run down your (non-Prime) 12v batt, as I did, you might understand me.

 

Why? I've been there. I had to unexpectedly leave my Prius parked for 6 months. When I finally got back to it, the 12V was dead as a doornail. I used the key in my fob to unlock the driver's door, popped the hood, and stuck a cordless booster on the jump points under the hood inside the main relay panel. That powered the electronics and the car started right up when I pressed the button. Drove the car around for a half hour or so to run errands and things were fine.

Now, I did have to replace the 12V battery later because its age(12 years) plus the complete depletion for so long finished it off, but I was able to get by without accessing the battery until it was time to swap it.

 

Also, while the price difference between a conventional battery and an AGM battery goes in favor of conventional... I only got about 6 years from the car's manufacturing date out of my Gen 4's conventional battery, and it's not the cheapest size out there. Granted, sample size of one, but.

Looking at current prices, basically looks like any more than 7.5 years out of the AGM, and it'd be cheaper.

 

I know, I did exactly the same thing when the car was (sort of) new, thinking that lights all auto shut themselves off. Nope, not the map light. Later, the 12V battery was dead, and of course, the rear hatch wouldn't open. But I was able to hook up a battery charger to the special post under the hood and in no time, the car started right up.

Having had many cars with the 12V battery under the hood, changing them when they are old, terminals all gunked up, battery dirty, I find having it in the rear so much nicer! The terminals stay clean, the battery stays clean, it lasts longer, and it is so easy to access without having to go through the firewall.

 

Easy to access? In my 2004 it took me an hour and a half to get access to swap the rear battery, and it was a royal pain. Further, it was risky. If you dropped a screw (which I didn't) it would fall all the way down inside the fender.

 

for diy, the rear battery is fine. for people who need tohave someone else change the battery, a $100. special including labor is way better.
what percent of prius owners are running inverters off the battery?

 

Agreed, except I don't want an SUV. I don't like them. The only thing I like close to an SUV is our V. Same room, lots safer, cheaper to drive.

Ugh, you just reminded me of the song "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road." by Louden Wainwright III.

I'm running an inverter off the 12V battery, only in emergencies.

 

that's one

 

A very nice video of the incredible new Prius Prime.

 

I've run three different inverters of my Prime - a 150W off the 12V socket, a 300W true-sine off the battery under the hood, and a 2000W modified-sine off the battery under the hood.

 

still one

 

Another nice video.

 

I do not know, the last time I actually cleaned my rear glass on the prime was probably two years ago before I added the vortex generators. Even in the heavy rain, it just all blows down to the bottom and off the trunk lid and the glass stays clean at any speed above 50mph.

 

And in heavy, wet snow?

For me, it sticks on the rear window at any speed.

 

No snow here in california. But in general I just don't get any rain on the back after about 50mph.

 

Rain isn't a problem. It's snow. If the weather is cold and thus the snow is light and fluffy, it's not problem, it just blows off. If it's warm, around freezing temperature, the snow is wet, heavy and sticky, and I've had it stick to both the rear window and the outside rear-view mirrors despite the defroster being on and the mirrors being heated. This means you can't see behind you *at all*.

 

I'm currently driving a 2017 Prius Prime with about 87,000 miles on it. I'm interested in test driving this when it comes out but wouldn't think of buying it until at least the 2024 model. I'm on my second Prius now and my biggest concern has always been road noise. I'm hoping they addressed this. Any improvement would help.

 

different tires can help

 

If you think Prius Prime has road noise, you have never been in a Honda. Consumer Reports rated Prius Prime 4/5 in road noise. They rated Honda Civic 2/5.