The Japanese Plug-In Hybrid Sedan With The Highest Fuel Cost Savings

PHEVs benefit from some of the best EPA-estimated fuel efficiency ratings in the new car market, because of how they merge efficient ICE units with larger electric drive systems than a conventional hybrid vehicle. Unlike HEVs, you can charge a PHEV at a wall socket, allowing you to run the vehicle on electricity only for short distances. The

PHEV segment is more niche
than the HEV and BEV ones, but that’s set to change, as several global manufacturers have announced that they would be focusing on the technology more, now that they’ve realized that a full electrification transition is unrealistic in such a short period. Japanese manufacturers have been committed to the hybrid industry, but very few of them make PHEVs.

The few PHEVs that exist are some of the

best examples you can experience
, with one particular option benefiting from the best EPA-estimated fuel cost savings over five years that you’ll come to see. This PHEV features a moniker that represents one of the oldest hybrid products in the U.S., but with the benefit of a much more modern and striking design and more powerful drivetrain that doesn’t compromise its amazing efficiency returns. The Japanese manufacturer introduced it to the market a few years ago, but there’s yet to be an alternative option that can rival its amazing figures, let alone a Japanese one.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota’s websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and Consumer Reports. This is about the 2024 model, which used to be called ‘Prius Prime’, unlike the new name, ‘Prius Plug-in’.

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime Saves $4,750 In Five Years

The Prius Prime’s biggest achievement is its low fuel consumption capabilities. Admittedly, it is marginally less efficient than the

previous-generation Prime
, but given it uses a larger engine with more power, it’s still a commendably light gasoline-electric PHEV. The Base SE trim enjoys a 127 MPGe combined consumption estimate, while the XSE suffers from a worse, 114 MPGe result.

The Prius Prime features a 10.6-gallon tank, which grants the base trim a 600-mile range, and the XSE models a 550-mile range. Using the gasoline engine independently results in a 52 MPG estimate for the SE and a 48 MPG result for the XSE. A 10.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack independently runs the car for 45 miles on the SE trim and 40 miles on the flagship variant.

Where savings are concerned, the base SE derivative will see you spending around $4,750 less than what you would when compared to the average American driver. The more premium trims save up to $4,500 over five years.

Toyota Prius Prime EPA Consumption Estimates

Toyota Prius Prime Charging Time And Range

The Prius Prime employs a compact 10.9 kWh battery pack to power the electric motors. Unfortunately, it

does not support direct-current fast charging
, so owners who prefer not to use the engine to charge the pack may face long waiting times at plug points. Using the standard Level One 120V AC point will take around 11 hours to replenish the pack. The faster Level Two DC 240V point shortens this time to around four hours.

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime Produces 220 Horsepower

The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime is only available with one drivetrain configuration, consisting of an Atkinson-cycle, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine connected to a pair of electric motors that drive the front wheels via an e-CVT. The gasoline engine produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, while system output sits at 220 horsepower, thanks to the two electric motors.

Toyota does not disclose its combined torque rating, though we do know that the motors generate up to 161 horsepower on their own. The new-generation Prius Prime is the

most powerful example in its lineage
, but it’s slightly less efficient when compared to the previous-generation model.

2025 Toyota Prius Prime Performance Specifications

Toyota has explained that it didn’t introduce an all-wheel drive option for the Prime model because the PHEV system consumes too much space in the chassis, preventing the installation of a rear driveline. Toyota claims that the Prius Prime will sprint from 0-60 MPH in 6.4 seconds. Using the electric motors alone, it will reach this speed in 11.2 seconds. It caps its top speed at 112 MPH.

How Much A New Toyota Prius Prime Costs

The Toyota Prius Prime range

starts at an impressively low $33,375

for the base SE trim. The $36,625 XSE and $40,070 XSE Premium follow the base trim as more luxurious derivatives. This excludes the $1,135 destination fee.

The SE is somewhat of a bare-bones offering as it only includes features such as single-zone climate control, fabric upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, and a smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system connected to a six-speaker audio system. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a rear-facing camera, a heated SofTex-wrapped steering wheel, and six USB-C charging ports.

Upgrading to the XSE grants you access to the hands-free Smart Key system, heating and electric adjustments for the front seats, SofTex upholstery, a rear armrest, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink. There’s also a wireless smartphone charger and access to more optional extras. The top-of-the-range XSE Premium includes the smartphone-based Digital Key system, memory functions for the driver’s seat, an electronic tailgate, the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the premium eight-speaker JBL audio system.

The base SE trim comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna, and color-coded door handles and mirrors. The XSE benefits from larger 19-inch alloy wheels and the option to fit a fixed glass roof. The flagship Premium derivative gets this as standard, but you can select the exclusive solar charging roof. The color pallet isn’t very diverse as it is only limited to Midnight Black Metallic, Cutting Edge silver, Guardian Gray, and Reservoir Blue.

All Prius Prime derivatives come fitted with a plethora of advanced driver assist systems, including blind spot monitoring, hill start assist control, and front cross-traffic alert. The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure assist, steering assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and proactive driving assist. Front and rear parking assist with autonomous braking is standard on XSE trims, but optional on the SE.

Advanced Park can only be optionally fitted to the XSE Premium together with the panoramic view monitor with a 360-degree overhead view. There’s also the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 ADAS and pre-collision suite, the Star Safety System, consisting of vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brake system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. You also get a comprehensive eight-airbag configuration covering the driver, passenger, curtain, sides, and knees.

Standard And Optional Warranties For The Toyota Prius Prime

Toyota equips the Prius Prime range with a comprehensive warranty package consisting of a 36-month or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 60-month or 60,000-mile powertrain overage. You also get two services within a 24-month or 25,000-mile period and roadside assistance for 36 months with unlimited miles via the Toyota Care plan. Most importantly, the Prius Prime benefits from a class-leading 96-month or

100,000-mile warranty for the battery system
.

Toyota benefits from a solid reputation on the reliability front, with the Prius Prime currently being one of its more favored examples. The NHTSA currently lists two recalls for the 2024 model year. The first is for an incorrect weight capacity figure on the label and the second is for a spontaneously unlocking rear door problem, which requires the switches to be replaced at no cost to the owner.

If you want to extend your warranty package, Toyota does offer a Toyota Care Plus configuration that includes a five-year or 75,000-mile extension, but prices are only available upon request. As per Consumer Report’s assessment, the Prius Prime is likely to return fairly favorable reliability characteristics, with its 62/100 predicted reliability score and 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction grade.