Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Yearlong Verdict: Not Electric. Better for It?
This car introduced us to wonderful new Prius brand values.
Where's the medal for most improved? Personal growth is an underrated superpower that’s perfectly exemplified by the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime we spent a year driving. After its snoozy beginnings as a sedan with slug-like acceleration, the Prius solidified a reputation for trouble-free high-mpg motoring at the expense of everything else.
The design of the previous-generation Prius included sheetmetal deemed so strange that "its legitimacy as a [Car of the Year] candidate was given an immediate pass." Ouch.
During 2024 Car of the Year discussions, I was a huge advocate for the new Prius lineup's overall excellence. After the Toyota became our 2024 Car of the Year, we had to find out whether that hybrid magic could last a year of ownership. About 16,000 miles later, we have our answer.
Behold, an Attractive Prius
What makes the new Prius so exciting is its multidimensional appeal. It’s fun to drive. It’s attractive. It’s pretty quick for what it is. And yes, it delivers high mpg. By now, you may already know that, but what’s so special is that it all holds up after a year of testing. Our car, a 2024 Prius Prime XSE Premium, is now sold as the "Prius Plug-In Hybrid" starting for 2025, but the excellence is the same.
We experienced no reliability issues during our time with the car, which was capable of meeting or occasionally exceeding its EPA-rated 39 miles of electric range in the right conditions. If freeway driving to you means 75-mph cruising on a 40-degree day with the heater on, you won’t hit 39 miles. But if traffic restricts your freeway driving to half the speed limit, the Prius is in its element.
The best part is that the all-electric mode still allows for respectably quick getaways. The Prius Prime—and now Prius Plug-In Hybrid—delivers infinite flexibility for anyone who wants to experiment with an electrified car. There’s no intimidation factor with a plug-in hybrid and, unlike a fully electric car, the Prius Prime can recharge on a standard 110-volt outlet in a few hours. No need to install a Level 2 charger at home.
What We Didn’t Like
People should do what makes them happy, but it’s worth noting the inherent goodness of electric cars. They’re quiet, quick, and if you have home charging, you’ll never visit a gas station again. That’s a big “if.” Our 2024 Prius plug-in stickered for around $43,000, and for that kind of cash, full EVs are worth your consideration. As this is written, it feels like a race to the bottom in terms of electric car prices. Eye-popping deals are everywhere, so if you just didn’t think you couldn’t afford an EV, check local deals before you sign for a loaded Prius plug-in.
Our needs-improvement list is short, but a few things merit updates. The small digital gauge cluster is first on the list. Bigger is not always better, but it definitely is here. I never had an issue seeing the screen over the steering wheel as some of my colleagues have, but the screen’s digital clutter was unavoidable. Tiny icons are seemingly sprinkled everywhere on the display, and updating the settings merely minimizes the effect instead of fixing it altogether.
Charging speed should also be faster. If you plan on charging overnight, this isn’t an issue. But if you want a quick charge between errands at home, a 6.6-kW charge speed versus the 3.7 I observed charging at home would be a cool luxury on the top XSE Premium trim.
Visibility was another negative, though it’s one we partially solved by removing the rear headrests anytime that bench seat was empty. To be clear: We think this is a fair compromise for the fantastic styling you get in return. The same is true for the cargo area, which is smaller than in the last Prius, but trust us, this is the one you want to drive.
