2023 Toyota Prius Prime consumer reviews

This car is overall great to own. I have an XSE trim, and though I would've liked to have XSE Premium's features, those are minor gripes at worst. Daily commutes are a breeze. I have a bit of a light foot while driving but it's easy to merge into traffic even in EV mode (161hp compared to 220hp in hybrid mode). Steering feels grounded and relative to how much effort should be put into turning. The braking is also good; it feels linear without any jolts or sponginess. The engine can get noisy if the battery's low (less than 25%) but it's seldom been an issue for me. Changing the drive mode to Sport makes regenerative braking slightly stronger and steering slightly heavier. I average about 4.8mi/kWh (161.7MPGe) and 56MPG. Road trips are also great in this vehicle. The EPA estimate for this vehicle's trim is 39 electric miles and 50MPG. I get about 40 miles with cruise control on, and MPG in the mid-high 50s or low 60s with good weather. Ride quality is smooth and there's no shaking when going over small bumps. The seats are comfortable up front even over long periods of time. It's a bit low getting in (especially in the back). Rear seats are a little snug; I'm 5'10½" and can fit well enough with a tiny bit of room to stretch my legs. I can fit my hand between my head and the ceiling, so anyone who's taller or has larger hair should stick to the front. Visibility is good overall. I had to adjust the steering wheel column down some to clearly see the dashboard information but it isn't uncomfortable to me. Outward visibility great out of the front and sides, but the rear window is pretty small. I would've opted for XSE Premium's digital rearview mirror if I frequently hauled larger things around. Cargo space and storage is pretty decent for the class. I can fit two midsize suitcases in the back with the tonneau cover on. The front and rear cupholders can hold 20oz travel mugs and the bottle holders in the doors can hold a 22fl oz can. The center console can hold a good amount of small objects and the tray in the middle can be removed for more space. All in all, I'd recommend the Prius to anyone looking for a small vehicle. The regular one is better on gas and has a bit more cargo space, but if you're able to regularly plug in, i'd say go for the PHEV variant.