2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHEV - Re- Driven Review
Just one year into the Godfather of Green's fifth generation, the XW60 Toyota Prius Prime hatchback continues in its beauteous potent efficient ways.
Time spent with the re-thought 2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE revealed a sleek new shape, nearly double the power of its predecessor.
To examine the virtues of fewer luxury features, improved aerodynamics, and lower price, Roadblazing.com jumped into the most affordable plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicle in America arrived with meaningful pure battery electric range, the 2024 Toyota Prius SE PHEV.
NEW FOR '24:
- Occupant walk-away audible exterior melody
- Traffic Jam Assist (requires Connected Drive subscription)
CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:
- two row, compact hatchback, 5 occupant seating
- XW60 fifth generation model built on TNGA-C platform
- standard gasoline battery hybrid electric powertrain, direct shift continuously variable transaxle drivetrain, standard front wheel drive, optional plug-in hybrid electric powertain
- NET HYBRID POWER: 220 hp (164 kW) / 139 lb-ft @ 4400 r.p.m.
- TRACTION BATTERY: LiIon Polymer, 13.8 kWh capacity
- FUEL ECONOMY: 52 m.p.g., 127 MPG-e
- CHARGE TIME: 11 hours @ 110 VAC, 4.5 hours @ 220 VAC, 3.5 kW
- Front strut, rear four link control arm suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented.
- "Top Safety Pick" rated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2024 MY)
- SafetySense 3.0, Star Safety, 8 airbags standard
BOTTOM LINE:
- $34,884 price, as tested 2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHEV in Reservoir Blue (from $34,070)
- 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 years / 60,000 miles drivetrain, 8 years /100,000 miles hybrid components, 10 years / 150,000 miles traction battery warranties, 2 years / 25,000 miles scheduled maintenance
LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME SE PHEV:
- Most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sold in the U.S.
- Sleek, teardrop shape of fifth generation Prius
- Black fan blade aero 17" inch wheels
- Liftback cargo versatility
- Solid TNGA-C modular platform
- Precise panel fit; Padded material touch points; Red contrast panels & fabric stitching
- Quick entering the highway
- Smooth regenerative braking transition
- 110 pounds > 2023 Prius Prime XSE
- 52 M.P.G. observed ( 3 m.p.g > 2023 Prius Prime XSE)
- Mellowed taut road compliance
- Comprehensive advanced driver assist lane & distance control, vehicle & pedestrian avoidance braking
- Sharp camera display
- Front + rear parking assist, automated braking ($35 option on SE)
- Bi-LED headlights
- Fighter jet style full color 7.0" TFT instrumentation, physical soft touch climate controls, road noise hushed cabin
- 8.0" inch touch LCD infotainment display
- Toyota Connected cloud navigation with Google Points of Interest (by subscription)
- "Hey Toyota" wake-up phrase intelligent voice interaction
- Body cradling front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Center console slot for wireless device
- Clear, if not thunderous, 6-speaker streaming audio system, HD radio
- Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay phone app projection
- AC power outlets x 2 (cargo bay & Row 2)
NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME SE PHEV:
- Smaller 8.0" infotainment display (vs. 12.3" in Prius Prime XSE)
- Cloth seats, manual seat controls
- Headroom and cargo capacity < XW50 fourth generation Prius
- Petrol engine hybrid engagement noticeable
- Numb steering feel; Body roll entering corners hurriedly
- Funky 2nd Row door frame exterior latch release (NHTSA voluntary recall campaign 24V274000)
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ROADBLAZING.COM BOTTOM LINE: Reduced frills version is the current cordable Godfather of Green mileage champ.
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