Toyota Prius Prime And Prius Plug-In Hybrid: The Used Purchaser’s Information

Electrical automobiles will not be sensible for everybody but, however a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius Prime often is the subsequent neatest thing. The Prius Prime provides a considerable EV-only vary for on a regular basis driving. It’s nonetheless environment friendly when the battery drains, working like a traditional Prius. And it’s out there for a comparatively reasonably priced worth — by PHEV requirements.

Used Toyota Prius Primes generally is a compelling choice. The pre-2023 Prius Primes lack the vary (25 miles when new vs. 44 miles), attractiveness and driving efficiency of the present technology mannequin. However they’re nonetheless succesful, environment friendly and reasonably priced — particularly if eligible for the used EV federal tax credit score. 

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Which technology used Toyota Prius Prime must you purchase?

Toyota has produced three generations of Prius plug-in hybrids. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-16) produced 134 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. Its 4.4 kWh battery delivered 11 miles of EPA vary in a principally electrical blended mode. Toyota launched the next-generation Prius Prime (2017-22). It produced an much more anemic 121 hp, nevertheless it greater than doubled the EPA vary to 25 miles in pure EV mode with an 8.8 kWh battery pack. 

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Toyota overhauled the Prius Prime for 2023, and the adjustments had been dramatic. The present Prius Prime seems cooler and extra standard. It makes use of a bigger 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a much bigger 13.6 kWh battery. It provides essentially the most EPA vary amongst reasonably priced PHEVs: 44 miles in pure EV mode. And it’s extra enjoyable to drive, bettering its 0-60 mph acceleration time to six.6 seconds from longer than 10 within the earlier technology. 

2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

Picture by: Toyota

How a lot does a used Toyota Prius Prime price?

It will depend on the technology. The unique Prius Plug-in Hybrid ranges from round $5,000 to $17,000, relying on the mannequin yr and the mileage. Used editions of the primary Prius Prime are likely to run between $20,000 and $30,000. Many sellers will worth the car a bit under the $25,000 threshold to qualify for the federal tax credit score. Present-gen 2023 and 2024 used fashions go for between $30,000 and $40,000, across the worth of a brand new Toyota Prius Prime. 

Does a used Toyota Prius Prime undergo battery degradation?

The brief reply is sure. All Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. A 2020 research confirmed {that a} 2019 Toyota Prius Prime misplaced 2.3% of its battery capability throughout its first yr. Degradation on that automotive may have continued, although not essentially at a linear fee. 

Be aware that battery degradation doesn’t matter as a lot in a PHEV as in an EV. For instance, a 15% battery discount in a Toyota bZ4X with a variety of 228 miles would dip the vary to 193 miles, which might really feel important. Nevertheless, a Prius Prime dropping 15% capability would imply the traditional hybrid mode kicks in after 21.25 miles of pure EV journey as an alternative of 25 miles, which might really feel far much less important. 

Sellers have or ought to be capable to run a diagnostic take a look at on a Prius Prime battery. Failing that, patrons ought to be capable to glean a tough concept of the battery’s state by monitoring the vary throughout a take a look at drive. Newer, much less used batteries ought to have higher capability remaining. Newer battery tech must be extra resilient to degradation than older tech. 

Are there any identified points with a used Toyota Prius Prime or Prius Plug-In Hybrid?

We’ll spare you waxing poetic about Toyota’s dedication to high quality, sturdiness and reliability. Toyota Prius Prime and Prius Plug-In Hybrid fashions must be comparatively dependable. 

Just a few essential security remembers on some fashions should be addressed.  2012-15 Prius Plug-in Hybrids had been recalled for a possible problem with the EV fuse. Some 2022 Prius Prime fashions had been recalled for an issue with the hybrid ECU. Constant or catastrophic mechanical points haven’t plagued plug-in Priuses.

Prius Primes uncovered to excessive warmth in areas just like the American Southwest could have suffered extra battery degradation than different automobiles. Fashions from the primary two generations used energetic air cooling fairly than a liquid cooling setup for the lithium-ion battery. 

What guarantee protection does a used Toyota Prius Prime have?

Prius Plug-in Hybrids and Prius Primes constructed earlier than 2020 got here with an 8-year or 100,000-mile battery guarantee. From 2020 onward, Toyota elevated the protection to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota’s guarantee covers producer defects, not gradual degradation over time. The battery guarantee is transferable to a brand new proprietor. 

Primarily, all Prius Plug-in Hybrids will likely be out of guarantee. Most Prius Primes constructed earlier than 2020 may have no less than some battery guarantee remaining. Autos constructed throughout or after 2020 ought to have ample battery guarantee protection left. Be aware that guarantee replacements for PHEV batteries are uncommon. 

Different warranties with a used Prius Prime embrace a 3-year or 36,000-mile primary guarantee, a 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee and a 5-year limitless mileage rust guarantee.

Must you purchase a Toyota Prius or a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius Prime?

It relies upon. One main issue will likely be availability. Toyota offered extra standard Prius hybrids than Prius Primes and Prius Plug-in Hybrids. The plug-in variations had been not all the time evenly distributed, so used Prius hybrids could also be a lot simpler to search out in lots of areas than plug-in hybrid variations. 

With older Prius plug-in hybrids, the query is whether or not the profit gained from charging with a wire is well worth the nuisance. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid supplied minimal vary (by fashionable requirements), and that was when information. Older Prime fashions may additionally have a diminished vary after greater than a half-decade of battery degradation.