Toyota Prius Prime evaluate: Placing and environment friendly

Let’s face it: Early incarnations of the Toyota Prius had been boring to take a look at, even when they had been modern and economical. Nevertheless, the newest model is a brilliant glossy sedan that appears superior. I feel Toyota has realized it is perhaps on to a great factor as a result of the corporate plans to promote the automobile within the UK, so it isn’t simply everybody on the other side of the pond who will get to benefit from the 2025 Prius’ scrumptious styling strains.

There are a few choices to select from, too — with front- and all-wheel drive variants accessible, each of that are powered by a 2-liter gas-powered lump. Higher nonetheless, the Prius Prime comes as a plug-in hybrid, so for anybody with access to home or workplace charging, Toyota’s newest may very well be much more economical to run than earlier Prius fashions. Subsequently, the brand new automobile isn’t solely nice to take a look at however very sensible too.

Beneficial

2025 Toyota Prius Prime

The 2025 Toyota Prius shines because of its rakish profile. That is backed up by wonderful gas economic system, and with the hybrid mannequin, there’s the good thing about plug-in charging, too. Nevertheless, there are some compromises, primarily as a result of smaller cabin space that is a results of the brand new design. Furthermore, the brand new Prius is a low-ish automobile, so it’s not more likely to be as interesting to Uber drivers as older fashions. Total, although, it’s an amazing automobile.
 

Engine

2-liter fuel hybrid

Drive Structure

Entrance or four-wheel drive

Horsepower

164 kW / 194 hp

0-60mph

6.8 seconds

High Pace

109 mph

Transsmission

Automated

Vary

44 miles on battery

Professionals

• Nice design
• Drives nicely and gives wonderful gas economic system
• Ideally suited to of us with house or work charging

Cons

• Some compromises on inside area as a result of physique form
• Decrease to the bottom than earlier variations
• Inside is sensible somewhat than premium

Develop

Worth, specs, and availability

Within the UK, the Toyota Prius plug-in Excel mannequin I drove prices £39,996. That will get you the 2-liter, front-wheel drive automobile seen on this evaluate. Over within the US, shoppers can go for the LE version, ranging from simply over $29,000, which options 17-inch wheels. They’ll additionally splurge for the XLE, which is simply over $32,000. It options bigger 19-inch alloys. Toyota can be providing a restricted version mannequin that prices only a bit over $36,000.

Design and Construct

Have a look at these styling strains

I feel Toyota’s design group has performed an unimaginable job with the brand new Prius. In reality, the automobile’s appears are what I like most about it. Completed within the metallic Mustard Yellow you see pictured all through, the Prius appears distinctive. Though it is basically a somewhat wise sedan, the general stance of the 2025 Prius is lengthy and really low-slung. In reality, it not solely appears low to the bottom, however it feels that means if you drive it.

Issues get off to an amazing begin with the outside, down on the entrance, with that pointy, edgy snout, slimline headlights and a few neat contrasting consumption areas beneath the license plate. It is laborious to overlook the windshield’s radical line too, which dramatically impacts the general look of the automobile. The physique is easy down the perimeters, with panels designed for optimum aerodynamics.

Transferring to the again, Toyota has furnished the rear finish with spectacular ranges of consideration as nicely. The taillights, badging, and the liftback itself have all been created with care. I particularly appreciated the best way the black areas contrasted with the brilliant yellow of my check automobile. Add all of it collectively, and the brand new Prius appears means higher than the numerous older fashions out on roads the world over. A slight draw back to the thrilling styling is a few compromise on inside area, however for me, that is undoubtedly a value value paying.

An all-new inside

Sensible somewhat than premium

Whereas the outside of the 2025 Prius appears very high-end, the inside is barely much less spectacular. I prefer it, however there’s sufficient standard-grade plastic used contained in the cockpit to remind you that this can be a Toyota, somewhat than a Lexus. That is to not promote the brand new Prius brief. It gives a brilliant snug cabin to take a seat in as nicely, both within the entrance or the again, even when the artificial leather-based seat materials feels extra sensible than premium. The entrance sprint is attention-grabbing, too, with most of it dominated by a landscape-oriented touchscreen.

The motive force place jogged my memory a little bit of being behind the wheel of the Toyota BZ4X, with the sprint reduce out and pointing to an instrument panel that accommodates all of the important journey knowledge. Sweeping throughout the sprint beneath the touchscreen are buttons to sort out on a regular basis duties, together with switching the heated seats on and off. I used to be additionally keen on the stubby little auto field gear selector on the middle console, which falls properly at hand as you are selecting your means by way of the visitors.

The expertise breakdown

Slender choices, however all the things works

The brand new Prius is not precisely bristling with expertise, however it had all the things I wanted for the type of driving I love to do, together with a good ‘Hey Toyota’ voice management system. I began my check drive by pairing my iPhone with the Apple CarPlay system supplied up by the 12.3-inch infotainment system. That each one labored seamlessly, and the route steerage was high-quality too.

There is a digital rear-view mirror, smart-entry and push-button begin. Plus, these comfortable seats profit from eight-way energy adjustment. One other neat and pretty delicate contact is the blue ambient lighting contained in the cabin. Moreover, in-car charging is plentiful, with a pair of USB ports within the rear for good measure. The 2025 Prius additionally options Toyota’s Security Sense 3, which meant that that I had a raft of driver aids at my disposal.

Battery, vary, and efficiency

As economical as anticipated

The Prius has all the time been a cheap automobile, and that is true of the 2025 mannequin as nicely. Admittedly, the automobile is not precisely scintillating on the efficiency entrance, however it’s not that type of machine. I discovered it enjoyable to drive on nation roads, with the low-slung physique design and taught chassis offering loads of grip, even once I floored the throttle every so often.

A minor difficulty is the e-CVT gearbox, which may really feel obscure. As soon as I put it into drive, although, the automobile subsequently did most, if not all, of the considering for me. You’ll be able to manually put it into EV mode for brief stints, and Toyota suggests that is good for as much as 44 miles if totally charged. Usually although, the Prius hybrid set-up switched dynamically because the circumstances and my driving model demanded. It is a tried and examined format from Toyota and works higher than ever on this mannequin, with gas economic system from all 2025 fashions reaching simply into the mid-50mpg bracket if pushed rigorously.

Must you purchase the Toyota Prius?

You’ll be able to incessantly see earlier variations of the Toyota Prius on the street as minicabs and ride-hailing autos, however the brand new model is one thing that many individuals will wish to personal. The automobile appears nice, however the slight downside to the wonderful styling is that there’s a diploma of compromise in inside area. That is fairly a low automobile too, which makes it much less of a sensible possibility for Uber and Lyft drivers. Nonetheless, the 2025 Prius has a snug inside and options all of the on a regular basis stuff that the majority of us want.

Beneficial

2025 Toyota Prius Prime

Engine

2-liter fuel hybrid

Drive Structure

Entrance or four-wheel drive

Horsepower

164 kW / 194 hp

0-60mph

6.8 seconds

High Pace

109 mph

Transsmission

Automated

Vary

44 miles on battery

Develop