Why would one goes with a "regular" Prius and not a Prime?

Here's some previously mentioned:

2017-19 models only 4 seaters.

Styling.

Fear that the car requires plugging in (it doesn't).

No credits for some buyers.

Dealer price gouging.

 

If you care to have a spare tire, at least some 4th gen Prius levels (maybe just one??) still have it.

All the Prius/Prime bumpers can't take a hit, but the Prime "bumper" is a complete glass jaw.

No rear wiper, not a biggie, but just for the record.

If you ever need to replace the Prime battery (and who knows when, the Plug-In batteries have been pretty bullet-proof), but if you do: it's a big one...

 

Isn't the point of buying a Prius to save energy resources ?

If your driving habits don't make good use of the "plugin" part of the design, you have just wasted all of the resources that go into producing the bigger battery.......and other more robust components.

Of course if the total dollar outlay is the only concern, you might be right.

But you can't focus on the tax credits and then overlook other factors........and take out a 15% loan over 72 months for instance.

 

prime is available in a lot less states, and significantly overpriced in some.

 

no, prime does not charge up the battery.

still, it's a great deal, and just as efficient as the lift back if not more, even without charging.

 

cali is a different animal. outhere, you can get a $3,500. toyota rebate, and significant dealer discount.

 

NO, there are two battery "zones" on the Prime, one for HV operation (think standard Prius Hatchback) and one for EV operation. Running the Prime in HV mode will only utilize the HV "zone" of the battery, and you will not be able to enter EV mode unless you plug in. CAVEAT: you can put the Prime in HV Charge Mode, and it will use the ICE to put charge into the EV "zone", but at increased fuel use/reduced MPG. AND I believe it will only charge the EV "zone" to 80%. Bottom line, if you do not plug the Prime in, you will only have a standard HV Prius in your garage.

 

Is that true? I thought regardless of plug-in charging or not, the Prime utilizes the full capacity of it's hybrid battery.

 

Some models of the Prius have a NiMH battery; it charges and works even when it is about 12 degrees colder than the LiIon battery in the Prime will be operable. I am unaware of anywhere in California where that would be a deal breaker. I lived in Elko, NV where the low was -40 C/F at times, so it would be an issue there. Orange County is safe from Ice Ages.

 

It's what I was told when PRIME first came out. But PRIME never ended up coming here.

I don't know if someone with a PRIME has done "the experiment"?

 

If you put the prime in "charge mode" it does.

Charge mode is a mode that runs the ICE constantly with the excess energy going into the battery pack.

But this is inefficient if you plug into the wall, but an option.

 

Deal breaker for me would be no spare wheel space and measly (for me) range in EV mode. I understand the range is adequate for some people but IMO if you're gonna take up spare wheel and trunk space with more battery, make it worthwhile with 100+ miles. Toyota are a bit behind in the full BEV race ATM, I'm still waiting.

 

The charger in the Prime would definitely have that information
If the battery is charged by the charger, it has been plugged in. If charged by MG1 or MG2, is has been charged without being plugged in.

 

@FuelMiser is correct. The car knows how the batter was charged. You can charge from the wall only the portion corresponding to above 14% SOC up to about 82% SOC. HV operation will use below 14% SOC to about 8% SOC after EV range is depleted. But if you start driving in HV mode while still EV range remains, the car still utilize only narrow band of the 6% SOC range.

 

If you live in mountainous territory, prime can recharge itself on the way down, but it’s unusual.

Sounds like you need to do some basic Prius studying before jumping in, or just go for it and take your chances

 

Repair cost & related insurance risk. The Prime has that complex heat pump HVAC system that virtually nobody knows how to repair.

They won't need much age/depreciation for an air conditioner failure to total out the car.