Text by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE
Specs
Class: Compact Car
Color: Reservoir Blue
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 148
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B- |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | C |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B- |
| Tall Guy | C |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 220-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-wheel drive |
Real-world fuel economy: 51.4 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 127 MPGe/52 mpg (city/highway combined)
EPA-estimated battery range: 44 miles
Fuel type: Regular-grade gasoline
Base price: $32,975 (not including $1095 destination charge)
Options: Mats ($299), door-sill protectors ($250), mudguards ($150), wheel locks ($80), front-and-rear park assist ($35)
Price as tested: $34,884
Pros and Cons
The great: Outstanding fuel economy, new sporty character
The good: Simple controls, highway quietness and refinement
The not so good: Small door openings, cheap cabin materials
Review
The 2024 Toyota Prius is a little like that high-school acquaintance you bump into after a dozen or two years of radio silence. You recall your friend as a stand-up guy, but now, years later, he is friendly, articulate, and reportedly successful, too. Worse yet, he’s buff, and planning to run a triathlon just as soon as he takes his company public.
And while the Prius is not in training for a competitive swim, bike, and run event, it did rather suddenly reveal itself to be more than just the world’s longest-running hybrid car. Completely redesigned for 2023, the Prius is now, frankly, sexy, but no less friendly than it has always been. In fact, the Prius remains a stand-up guy, but it is also, for the first time ever, cool.
Redesign
The Prius redesign comes at a strange time, as most U.S.-market Toyota-brand models are offered in hybrid trim. Additionally, hybrid variants of the brand’s Corolla compact sedan come close to matching the Prius in EPA-rated fuel economy.
That said, the new fifth-generation Prius looks nothing like the Corolla, in fact it looks nothing like anything else on the road—in a good way.
The 2024 Prius is little changed following its 2023 redesign, and few changes are expected for 2025. This is all fine with us, as the new Prius is pretty good just as it is.
Trim Levels
Toyota’s legendary frugality machine is again offered in standard and plug-in hybrid Prime variations. Standard models are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors. Total system output comes to 194 horsepower with front wheel drive, and 196 horsepower with available “e-AWD.”
Engines
The plug-in Prius Prime uses a version of the same 4-cylinder engine again mated to a pair of electric motors. Total output is 220 horsepower. The Prime is not offered with AWD. Both standard and Prime models make use of a CVT-style automatic transmission, and both run on regular-grade gasoline. Also part of the Prime system is a 14-kWh battery. Per the EPA, when fully charged, the battery provides between 40 and 44 miles of electric-only operation. Range varies based on trim level and wheel size.
Prices
For ’24, standard Prii (Toyota’s own plural form of Prius) are offered in six trim levels, LE, LE AWD, XLE, XLE AWD, Limited, and Limited, AWD, with base prices ranging from just under $30,000 to just under $38,000.
Prius Prime models ascend up through an entirely different trio of trim-level designations, beginning with the SE ($34,110), and including the midlevel XSE ($37,360), and topline XSE Premium ($40,805).
Test Drive
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Prius Prime SE in Reservoir Blue. Lightly optioned and including destination charge, our test car came to $34,884.
Design
As we’ve already noted, the updated Prius is a rakish design departure from its forebearers, featuring a steeply sloped windshield and cutting-edge sharp foreword hood conclusion, and a very low looking roof. While the Prius’s sleek profile pays off in the style department, and likely helps with aerodynamic efficiency, it’s does impact cabin space. This 6-foot, drive found the Prius difficult to enter and exit, and did on one occasion bang his head on the roof while settling down into the car.
Room and Comfort
The numbers bear the perceived cabin shrinkage out: Versus the 2022, the 2023 And 2024 Prius lost 1.5-linches of headroom in the front row, and half an inch in the back. On the plus side, legroom is slightly more generous in both seating rows.
For this driver, the Prius cabin was plenty roomy once situated behind the wheel, it was just the getting-in and getting-out thing that frustrated.
Cabin
Not surprising at this price, the Prius cabin, which looks cool and clean, is finished in mostly budget-grade hard plastic. And while Similar-price Hyundai vehicles shine in this regard, the Prius interior does feels open and modern. Some passengers were especially taken with the rose/copper dash accent, which presents a premium design vibe.
Power and Performance
On the road the Prius Prime surprised us with a sporty character previously absent from the model. With more than 200 horsepower on tap, the Prime moves out with rewarding authority, and makes easy work of cutting and slicing through rush-hour traffic. And, unlike previous-generation Prii (sorry), the new car has plenty of reserve punch at highway speed for passing and merging.
Ride and Handling
Also surprising is the car’s sharp handling and classy highway demeanor. We appreciate the sporty steering, but are more impressed by the smooth and quiet highway experience. In this regard, the Prius punches above its price class.
Fuel Economy
Including one full battery charge, and no supplemental plug-ins, we averaged better than 52 mpg. Having enjoyed better fuel economy from previous Prius test vehicles, we suspect the new car will deliver better mileage in the hands of more restrained drivers with the wherewithal to plug-in daily. Still…52 mpg? Hard not to be impressed.
Value
While this big editor is a little bummed about the smaller door openings and lower roofline, we at Consumer Guide think that Toyota has built the best Prius yet. While remaining a fuel-economy star, the Prius, especially in Prime trim, is improved by almost every metric that matters. Like that old acquaintance that has made the most of the past two decades, Toyota has refined the Prius to such an extent it’s hard to imaging making it better.
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2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE Pictures
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