2017 Toyota Prius Prime: First Impressions
CARS.COM — The latest-generation plug-in Prius is based on the redesigned 2016 Prius, but it ditches the plug-in name in favor of “Prime.” The name and approach are a departure from the typical plug-in formula with substantial differences beyond driving range between the regular Prius hybrid and new plug-in Prius Prime making its debut at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.
Front and rear styling changes streamline the appearance. Up front, it adds an aggressive, chiseled edge with wide headlights wrapping into the fenders and large cutouts with towering vertical daytime running lights flanking the restyled grille. The Prius Prime’s rear styling is more horizontally focused than the regular Prius with wide LED taillights and a carbon-fiber rear hatch using a grooved aero glass panel that flows into the rear-end design. The Prius Prime is a good-looking car, period, not just a good-looking Prius.
The backseat loses a seating position, which Toyota says makes it look more like a high-end luxury coupe, and gains a folding armrest and two cupholders in the middle seating position’s place; the regular Prius has room for three in the backseat. A larger battery pack for the Prime’s extended range elevates the cargo floor height enough where it’s noticeable, but otherwise the cargo area’s function is respectably maintained. The Prius Prime keeps a 60/40-split folding backseat, and when folded, a cover bridges the gap between the seats and elevated cargo floor. The design doesn’t create a flat load floor, but it’s close enough.
Toyota’s most adventurous media system yet is optional in the Prime with an 11.6-inch touch-screen that immediately draws your attention to the vertically oriented display. It’s huge. Toyota didn’t have the screen turned on for us to use, but the ergonomics felt right with the screen’s close proximity to where my right arm would rest while driving. Touch-sensitive controls for volume, home, menu and climate live outside the screen in place of tactile dials or buttons, which is slightly concerning, but we’ll have to use the screen out on the road to give it a final thumbs up or down when the Prius Prime goes on sale this fall.
