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Previous Gen 4 owner, considering another, looking for opinions

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by soldierguy, Dec 1, 2022.

  1. soldierguy

    soldierguy Active Member

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    Other Hybrid
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    Good morning!

    Bottom line: I'm considering a 2022 Prius LE AWD, a 2022 Prius Prime LE, and a 2023 Prius (trim TBD). Just looking for opinions.

    I used to own a 2016 Prius Eco and was on PriusChat a lot when I had it...I did 92,000 miles in that when I was commuting over 200 miles round trip daily in it when I was living in California. I know the Gen 4 pretty well because of that. I fit, my husband fits (he's 6'5"), it's comfortable, it's economical.

    I'm now living in Maryland. I work remotely, so I mostly drive to Wegmans (the best grocery store on the planet!), HMart (a GREAT Korean grocery store chain), Lowes, the occasional trip to the office or a train station, and other local places...about 9000 miles a year. I avoid highways here like the plague because they are a nightmare hellscape. I currently drive a Subaru Forester which I love, but I'm only getting about 22 mpg. Doing the math, I could save somewhere between $3500-$5000 over the course of 5 years by switching to a Prius (more if I switched to a Prime), worth considering because we're saving for a house and retirement, and by trading now I could also reduce the total dollar amount I owe, so financially a vehicle change would be a good move. Also, my husband now has a great car that we use when we go places together, so I just need something for A to B errands for me.

    I like the AWD Prius...the roads get plowed here, but they can get icy in the winter, and I like the fact that they come with heated seats, mirrors, and steering wheel. I like the idea of the Prius Prime because most of my driving could be done on electricity, electricity is included in our lease and there are solar panels on the house so I could largely drive for free, but I'm concerned about the smaller cargo area since I do tend to end up at Lowes or other big box stores with bulky items. I LOVE the looks of the 2023 Prius, but I'm concerned about the headroom (6'5" tall husband), the lower hip-point on the seat, and the lack of a rear-window wiper.

    Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 soldierguy, Dec 1, 2022
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
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    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I have a 2020 AWDe and the extra traction at low speed does help me get up an icy driveway. Don't expect it to help much at speeds above 7 MPH as the rear drive turns off at higher speeds. It does get the same MPG (~52 ave) as the 2016 Prius that it replaced and both were/are great cars.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Dec 1, 2022
    Mambo Dave and soldierguy like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you can find a prime, i would say that's the way to go. but the loss of the 3" in the hatch floor kept me away from it.
    they solved the problem in the next gen coming out in 2023.

    but i guess you have to way the ev benefit against awd.
     
    #3 bisco, Dec 1, 2022
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I have had both a 2018 G4 and a 2019 prime and the difference in the back hatch is noticeable but IMO they both aren't all that useful for large items due to the extremely sloped hatch (for aero/efficiency reasons).

    In your case, I'd go with the Prime hands down. On a day to day basis, its more electric drive is superior. Test drives are in order!
     
    #4 fotomoto, Dec 1, 2022
    soldierguy likes this.
  5. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    LE
    Since we are close to the Gen 5 I'd say wait until the Gen 5's come out.
     
    #5 CooCooCaChoo, Dec 1, 2022
  6. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Location:
    Monument, CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I wish we had an AWD Prius. We live in a rolling, treed neighborhood and the streets, though well plowed, stay icy in shady spots for a long time. Plus our winters go well into April/May here in Colorado. I suppose studded winter tires would be a better option for our current FWD car, but I can't stand the click/clack of running studded tires on dry pavement. That and you have to swap them out twice/year. We have heated seats/steering wheel in our other cars, and would sure be nice in the Prius. Those added features would put the AWDe Prius on top of the Prime or any other, AFAIK.
     
    #6 FuelMiser, Dec 3, 2022
  7. Paul Greenberg

    Paul Greenberg Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Chappaqua, NY
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have a prime and would not buy one again. I don’t like not having a spare tire and less cargo room.
    Aside from that I think the Prius is the best car on the planet.
     
    #7 Paul Greenberg, Dec 4, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  8. Lynn Goldhammer

    Lynn Goldhammer New Member

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    Base
    I heard - from a Toyota salesman - that there are many changes in the 2023 and it’s best to wait 3 years or so for the kinks to be worked out…. I’m trying to find a 2022…. Very low inventory….
     
    #8 Lynn Goldhammer, Dec 6, 2022
  9. 2020XLEAWD

    2020XLEAWD Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    XLE AWD-e

    Heated seats and steering wheel have come in clutch this winter. Also, the winter rubber floor mats are super easy to keep clean.
     
    #9 2020XLEAWD, Dec 14, 2022
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