Outstanding fuel economy, with 25 miles of electric-only range
Comfortable front seats
Priced lower than most other plug-ins
Slow acceleration and noisy engine
Smaller cargo area compared to the regular Prius
Adds fifth passenger seat
Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and satellite radio now standard
Two USB ports added for rear-seat passengers
Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016
The Prius needs no introduction. Its claim to fame is its amazing gas mileage, efficiency-first styling and space-age interior. And while the interior and styling have changed over the years, the Prius' retains its fuel-sipping tendencies, which are even better in the Prius Prime.
With the regular Prius, you can only fill up its gas tank. But what if you could separately recharge its battery pack for even better efficiency? The Prius Prime answers that question. It has a bigger battery and can drive in full all-electric mode for 25 miles or so. For many people, that's more than enough for around-town driving. Once the battery is depleted, the Prius' hybrid powertrain takes over and delivers excellent fuel efficiency.
We also like that Toyota has addressed a couple of issues on the 2020 Prius Prime. It now has a rear bench seat with a fifth seat and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa. The latter is an appealing substitute to Toyota's native Entune infotainment system.
There are still a couple of downsides, including tepid acceleration and a small cargo area. But on the whole, the Prius Prime is worth checking out if you're shopping for an affordable and efficient plug-in hybrid.
All Prius Prime models feature the same powertrain and basic layout, so opt for the XLE trim. It gives you a decent set of extra features while keeping the price reasonable. Its notable add-ons compared to the base LE are its standard navigation system, larger touchscreen, simulated leather upholstery and a wireless smartphone charger.
Toyota Prius Prime models
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is available in three trim levels: LE, XLE and Limited. All share the same hybrid powertrain with EV mode and perform identically, so the differences among them boil down to features. The LE is obviously the value play of the range, but it has a decent list of standard equipment. The XLE, meanwhile, brings a few key comfort-oriented items. The Limited level adds a lot of features that will surely appeal to tech-savvy buyers, though they come at a big increase in price.
All Prius Primes have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a plug-in hybrid system. Total system output is 121 horsepower, delivered to the front wheels through a specialized continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive (Toyota's AWD-e system) is only available on the regular Prius.
The EPA estimates the Prime can drive up to 25 miles using pure electric power. Fully charging the battery takes 5.5 hours using a 120-volt power source or a little more than two hours with 240 volts (Level 2 charger).
The LE starts you out with features such as LED headlights, automatic climate control, keyless access (driver's door only) and start, heated front seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, a USB port, and a six-speaker sound system. A suite of advanced driver safety aids, called Toyota Safety Sense P, is also standard.
Stepping up one rung to the XLE trim level puts you into the Prius Prime's sweet spot. It includes a power driver's seat, an 11.6-inch central touchscreen and upgraded infotainment system, simulated leather (SofTex) upholstery, keyless entry on the other three doors, and wireless smartphone charging.
The Limited trim level adds a premium audio system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming mirror, a head-up display, a smartphone app with a charge management system and remote-control climate operation, automatic wipers, and a semi-automated parking function.
Vehicle shown with options using visual effects.
MSRP includes delivery, processing and handling fee, which may be subject to change at any time. Excludes taxes, license, title and available or regionally required equipment. Actual dealer price will vary.
4/5 stars, Snazzy looking! Some pluses and some minuses
Bill Albany, NY,
LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Great looking car. Ran wonderfully in EV mode when I left the dealer. Range was about 30 miles. Pretty good. I have yet to get the EV mode fully charged since then. 3 weeks in my MPG is about 48.5 mpg. Looking for Santa to buy me a Level 2 110 charger. Should be able to charge the car overnight every night.
For Toyota engineers, some recommendations: The LE info display is less distracting than on the other models, but c'mon -- it's positioned too far below the windshield and to far from the driver for safe driving. Real buttons are also safer than touch screens, too. I'm very concerned. Would like to see that ergonomically safety engineered so that it takes less attention away from the business of driving! Also, the location of other buttons and utilities in the interior are awkward to find when driving, and worse at night. The USB location is really dumb and hard to find in daylight, even harder at night!
Blind spot visibility is better than on the RAV-4 but still not great, and the side mirrors must double duty to compensate for the small range of view out the rear windshield.
Also, NO REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER? In a snow storm last week, the lack of a rear wiper was a bother, and the rear window heater couldn't melt the snow -- it kept shutting off every 4 minutes, too! This is the first Toyota I've had in 20 years without a rear wiper! WTx?
Under gas, the gearing seems inconsistent. Not sure I've figured out why. I'll pay more attention and see if the service folks can fix something.
Finally, the voice command system is slightly better than the system on the 2017 RAV-4s, but very flawed compared to what I had on my 2014 Prius. Is Toyota's voice recognition technology falling behind what it was six years ago? How could that be?
Another drawback is the Prime's shrunken cargo capacity. I understand the room needed for the EV battery, and accept the compromise. But it does limit the utility of the vehicle. If the model had a sun roof, however, then at least I could feel a bit less claustrophobic, and maybe even bring back taller items from my landscape supply store occasionally.
Finally, the car swings wide when parking! Oy! Have some sort of warning when the fenders are getting near an obstruction. I was very surprised at the space needed to safely parallel park or to pull out of head-in parking spaces when there were other cars or obstructions alongside. Check out the Volvo and Nissan surround vision and alert system. If Nissan can have it, why not Toyota?
Recommendations: For future models --engineer the interior so knobs and switches and displays are located closer to the driver and in safer, less distracting locations. Also, add a rear wiper, a better read defroster, and better warning systems of what's at risk of damaging the car's side and front and rear fenders and of what's in the blind spots
WE mouth the Limited version in order to get the advanced screen and electronics. With the $2,000 credit and the $4,500 federal tax credit, the price of this car dropped to $25,000. The plug in works easily and gives a good 26 miles on electric only power. The range with the hybrid is wonderful. The interior is clean in design and comfortable. The screen takes a little getting use to, but once you learn it, it's great. It may not be as exciting to drive as a Tesla, but for less half the price of a Model 3, you get a great and environmentally responsible vehicle. The only little niggle is that you can't adjust the heads up screen right or left, only up or down. Also, they should add auto park assist instead of just vehicle warning. A little better color selection would be nice, but we are happy with the Silver.
The greatest hybrid ever built is even better for 2020. Don't bother with a Tesla. You can go to Niagara Falls, Massachusetts and Washington from New Jersey and you won't need a 2 to 3 hour break to charge (assuming others haven't beat you to the charger).
Bought this car because I wanted something that reduced my gasoline consumption substantially, but wasn't ready to go all-electric. Suits my setup very well. I charge overnight in the driveway on a regular plug (schedule easily with the in-car timer), then drive to and from my office, a total of 21 miles round trip. When the car first arrived, it would indicate 22 miles of electric range. Now a few weeks later it's up to 28.5 miles. Running in electric mode is far quieter than in a normal car - you can hear the radio, the other cars going by and that's it. So far I've traveled 500 miles and used 1.3 gallons of gas. So the odometer says I'm averaging 390 mpg, something like that. With the federal income tax rebate of $4,500 it's the easiest decision ever to purchase this car, compared to a non-plug Prius or any other vehicle. The big screen GPS and infotainment system is fun and there are lots of ways to 'gameify' your commute. Trunk is a bit small due to extra space needed for larger battery, that's the only drawback I've found so far.
JOSH SADLER: This is Josh Sadlier for Edmunds. And if you like the idea of a plug-in Prius, the new Prius Prime is the best one yet. [MUSIC PLAYING] The 2017 Toyota Prius follows on last year's redesign by adding a new plug-in hybrid variance called the Prius Prime. Has the same either adventurous or challenging styling, depending on your perspective, but things get a little different under the hood. Same 1.8-liter gasoline engine for that part of the power train. But the plug-in hybrid will take you 22 miles on electric power alone at speeds of up to 84 miles per hour, which is significantly better than the original Prius plug-in. It could only do about 60. Couldn't even get you up to speed on the highway. So this is a fully usable electric vehicle for the first 22 miles, and then after that, the gas engine kicks in. You can go up to 600 miles, says Toyota, on a single tank of gas. When the gas engine does kick in after 22 miles, you have a CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission. And if you've driven a Prius before, you'll find this one quite familiar. It does create a kind of droning sound from the engine when you're heavy on the throttle, but in normal operation, it's totally seamless. Inside the 2017 Prius Prime, you'll see that there's still no speedometer behind the steering wheel. That's par for the course in any Prius. But what's nice this year is that you can get an available Head-Up Display. So where your eyes fall watching the road, you get a speed display there as well. That's progress. There you see the utter absence of gauges behind the wheel. But it's a nice little wheel, isn't it? Moving on to the central area. Atop, you have twin 4.2-inch TFT displays in that hood near the windshield, and then down below, an 11.6-inch available infotainment display that does justice, we think, to the display in the Tesla Model S. That's clearly the inspiration, and it's a nice touch that the Prius offers it now. In the Prius Prime's back seat, you'll see the same relative lack of leg room that you get in the regular Prius. It lost a couple of inches in last year's redesign, and same story here in the Prius Prime. You can fit some people back there, but it's not going to be quite the roomy back seat you might remember from past Priuses. Here we have another view of the 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Again, that's not standard, but it is available, and certainly makes a dramatic statement right in the middle of the dash. [MUSIC PLAYING] Cargo space in the Prius Prime is also going to be somewhat modest, in part thanks to the additional size of the battery pack, given the plug-in hybrid setup. We don't have exact figures right now, but you can see when you fold down the rear seats, you have an awkward hump proceeding from the trunk area into the cabin. But certainly there's plenty of room there for longer items, and it's going to be more convenient than any sedan. There are only a handful of plug-in hybrid models at the Prius Prime's general price point. One is the Hyundai Ioniq, a new model for 2017. Another one would be the Chevy Volt, which is in its second generation now and gives you over 50 miles of electric range. That's a significant advantage over the 22-mile Prius Prime. For more on the new 2017 Prius Prime and its rivals, go to Edmunds.com. [MUSIC PLAYING]
2017 Toyota Prius Prime Review
NOTE: This video is about the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, but since the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Edmunds' Josh Sadlier takes you on a walk around of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. He goes over specs, design, the interior and more.
Our experts’ favorite Prius Prime safety features:
Toyota Safety Sense
Bundles a variety of standard driver safety aids, including forward collision warning and mitigation.
Safety Connect
This subscription-based emergency assistance telematics system includes a variety of services.
Blind-Spot Monitoring
Alerts the driver if a car is in an adjacent lane when a turn signal is activated.
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Side Impact Test
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
Good
Toyota Prius Prime vs. the competition
2020 Toyota Prius Prime
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
Toyota Prius Prime vs. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
The Ioniq has a smidge more power and all-electric range than the Prime, but the Toyota's ride is smoother and more refined. Both feature space-efficient hatchback designs and fairly comfortable seating for the passengers. This year's Prime has Apple CarPlay, but only the Ioniq comes with Android Auto as well.
The Prius Prime has a more efficient gasoline engine, but the Clarity PHEV has a bigger battery for greater EV range. It's also bigger, which translates into more room for rear seat passengers. They both feature comfortable interiors, though the Honda's infotainment system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
While the Prius Prime advertises its unique powertrain with its design, the Countryman looks fairly conventional. The Mini has better acceleration and handling, but it doesn't come close to the Prius' efficiency or EV range. Plus, its interior is more confining and has less room for rear seat passengers and cargo. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mini Country PHEV.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 Prius Prime both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Toyota Prius Prime fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Prius Prime gets an EPA-estimated 54 mpg. 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 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime:
Adds fifth passenger seat
Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and satellite radio now standard
Two USB ports added for rear-seat passengers
Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016
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 2020 Toyota Prius Prime a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 Prius Prime is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
The least-expensive 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $27,600.
Other versions include:
XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $29,500
LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $27,600
Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $33,500
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 XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). For a full list of Prius Prime models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
More about the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime
2020 Toyota Prius Prime Overview
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is offered in the following submodels: Prius Prime Hatchback. Available styles include XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT).
What do people think of the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for
the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime and all its trim types.
Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2020 Prius Prime
4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.
Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what
other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database.
Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior,
exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a
comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2020 Prius Prime.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2020 Prius Prime featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $29,123. The average price paid for a new 2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is trending $2,831 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2,831 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $26,292.
The average savings for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is 9.7% below the MSRP.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $31,023. The average price paid for a new 2020 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is trending $3,022 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,022 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $28,001.
The average savings for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is 9.7% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:
We are showing 3 2020 Toyota Prius Prime XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $35,023. The average price paid for a new 2020 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is trending $3,424 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,424 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31,599.
The average savings for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is 9.8% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:
We are showing 2 2020 Toyota Prius Prime Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Which 2020 Toyota Prius Primes are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings
of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2020 Toyota Prius Prime for
sale near. There are currently 5
new 2020 Prius Primes listed for sale in your area, with list
prices as low as $31,149 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the
type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to
find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle
you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find
out what other owners paid for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of
your choice and save up to $5,426 on a used or CPO 2020 Prius Prime available
from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2020 Toyota Prius Primes you
want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Toyota for sale - 8 great deals out of 9 listings starting at $17,937.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2020 Toyota Prius Prime?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you
that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make
higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand,
can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a
new car every three years or so.
Ad
PRICE CHECKERâ„¢
