2022 Toyota Prius Prime
MSRP range: $28,770 - $34,550
2022 Toyota Prius Prime Review
byMichael Cantu
Correspondent
Michael Cantu became an automotive enthusiast at an early age as one of those kids who could name just about every car on the road. After flipping cars for fun and dabbling in auto sales, Michael moved to Los Angeles to pursue his automotive dreams.Pros
- Outstanding fuel economy, plus 25 miles of electric-only range
- Comfortable front seats
- Priced lower than most other plug-ins
Cons
- Slow acceleration and noisy engine
- Smaller cargo area compared to the regular Prius
- Standard infotainment system is dated
What's new
- No significant changes for 2022 model year
- Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016
Many people enjoy poking fun at the Toyota Prius because it's slow, a little odd-looking and known to be driven by eco-friendly individuals. They don't understand that the Prius has provided safe, reliable, affordable and practical transportation for more than 20 years while delivering exemplary fuel economy. Not many other, if any, vehicles can claim that. With an increasing amount of competition (which includes the Corolla Hybrid), the Prius has lost some relevance in the segment it created, but the little oddball will go down in the history books.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.85 per gallon for regular unleaded and $0.13 per kWh for electricity in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$60/mo
Prius Prime LE
vs
$204/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the regular Prius. Toyota adds a charging port and a larger 8.8-kWh battery pack to give the Prime an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of up to 25 miles. Once the electric juice runs out, it becomes a regular hybrid and gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 54 mpg combined. Charging the empty battery to full takes about two hours with a 240-volt charger or five and a half hours with a 120-volt charger. Essentially, the more frequently you can plug in and recharge, the less gas you'll use.
As with the regular Prius, the Prime offers a comfortable but otherwise unexciting driving experience. The hatchback body style offers more cargo space than a sedan, but because of the larger battery pack, it has a bit smaller cargo area than the regular Prius. There aren't many plug-in hatchback rivals for the Prius Prime to compete with, but there is the duo from South Korea: the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid and the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid. For a thorough review by our test team, check out the Edmunds' Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
average
7.2/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid is comfortable and easy to drive, just like the regular Prius. And if you can regularly recharge the battery, it's easy to take advantage of the car's 25 miles of all-electric range. The Prime's larger battery reduces cargo capacity somewhat, and "fun!" is not an adjective in the car's vocabulary, but otherwise it's good where it matters.
Rated for you by America’s best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Compare dealer price quotes
2022 Toyota Prius Prime pricing
in Ashburn, VA
LE
1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT
Edmunds suggests you pay$30,414
2 for sale in 20147
XLE
1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT
Edmunds suggests you pay$32,263
4 for sale in 20147
Limited
1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT
Edmunds suggests you pay$36,419
3 for sale in 20147
Which Prius Prime does Edmunds recommend?
Opting for the midlevel XLE trim is our recommendation. For not much more than what the base LE trim starts at, the XLE gets you desirable extras such as simulated leather upholstery, a larger 11.6-inch center touchscreen (versus a 7-inch one), wireless smartphone charging and a navigation system.
Toyota Prius Prime models
Toyota keeps things pretty simple with the Prius Prime. It's offered in three trim levels (LE, XLE and Limited) and there aren't any optional packages or single features to add besides fancier-looking 15-inch wheels or small accessories like all-weather floor mats.
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $29,795
- MPG & Fuel
- Electric + Gas (Combined City & Hwy): 133 MPGe
- Gas Only (Combined City & Hwy): 54 MPG
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.4 gal. capacity
- EPA Battery & Range
- Time To Charge Battery (At 240V)This can be tough to pin down, but we assume for simplicity that the 240V power source will enable the vehicle's onboard charger to operate at full capacity, and that the battery is fully depleted and will be recharged to 100%. Given those assumptions, the value provided is simply the battery's capacity divided by the onboard charger's power rating. For example, a battery rated at 100 kWh will need 12.5 hours to recharge fully using an 8.0-kW charger.: 2.0 hr.
- EPA Electricity RangeThis value is the estimated number of miles that a vehicle can travel in combined city and highway driving (using a mix of 55% highway and 45% city driving) before needing to be recharged, according to the EPA's testing methodology.: 25 mi.
- Gas Range in Miles (Cty/Hwy): 627.0/604.2 mi.
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 121 hp @ 5200 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 182.9 in. / Height: 57.9 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 69.3 in.
- Curb Weight: 3365 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 19.8 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Prius Prime safety features:
- Toyota Safety Sense
- Bundles a variety of standard driver safety aids, including forward collision mitigation.
- Safety Connect
- This subscription-based emergency assistance telematics system includes a variety of services.
- Blind-Spot Monitor
- Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.
Toyota Prius Prime vs. the competition
2022 Toyota Prius Prime
2022 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota Prius Prime vs. Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
The Prius Prime is the more affordable of the two and is more efficient when electric energy runs out. The Toyota also offers adaptive cruise control on all trims. Both have almost identical all-electric drive ranges and cargo space, but the larger Niro has more passenger room. The driving experience is similar, although the Prius' unconventional styling might make some buyers opt for the more traditional-looking Niro.
Toyota Prius Prime vs. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid
These two rivals are direct competitors because of their similar size and hatchback body style. The Ioniq has a slight advantage in all-electric driving range and in passenger and cargo space. The Prius drives smoother and has less road noise, but the Ioniq shouldn't be overlooked, especially because of its lower starting price.
Toyota Prius Prime vs. Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
Thanks to the Tucson Plug-in's relatively low starting price, you can get the base SEL trim for about the same price as the Prius Prime's top Limited trim. Since the Tucson is an SUV, it provides more cargo and passenger room and a higher-perched driving position. The Tucson has a longer all-electric driving range, but it isn't as efficient when the electric juice runs out. The Tucson Plug-in is a compelling choice if it's in your budget.
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FAQ
Is the Toyota Prius Prime a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Prius Prime both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.2 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Prius Prime has 19.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Prius Prime. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime:
- No significant changes for 2022 model year
- Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016
Is the Toyota Prius Prime reliable?
To determine whether the Toyota Prius Prime is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Prius Prime. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Prius Prime's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 Prius Prime and gave it a 7.2 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Prius Prime is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Toyota Prius Prime?
The least-expensive 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,770.
Other versions include:
- LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $28,770
- XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $30,550
- Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $34,550
What are the different models of Toyota Prius Prime?
If you're interested in the Toyota Prius Prime, the next question is, which Prius Prime model is right for you? Prius Prime variants include LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), and Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). For a full list of Prius Prime models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
