![]() ![]() It’s certainly an imperfect comparison given the different body styles, but the two are similarly priced plug-in hybrids. Speaking of Kia’s little electrified crossover, it’s the Prius Prime’s only competitor now that the Chevy Volt, Hyundai Ioniq and, to a lesser extent, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid have all bit the dust. That should be fine considering most people recharge overnight, but the Kia Niro PHEV with its slightly smaller battery size and more powerful onboard charger can get it done in less than three hours. Once you do, it’ll take 11 hours to recharge the battery using the same 120-volt outlet you’d plug in a TV or toaster, or four hours using a 240-volt outlet or home charger. That’s not a bad thing as it’ll achieve 52 mpg combined without that all-electric capacity, or if you can’t plug in for some reason. The Hybrid mode, which is engaged once the all-electric capacity is exhausted, basically turns the Prime into a regular Prius, albeit with a bit more electric oomph at your command. The HV/EV Auto Mode will more readily engage the engine when going up grades, attempting 0-60 runs or when cruising on the highway when engines are at their most efficient and EVs more rapidly lose range. The engine will still kick in if conditions or throttle applications demand, but it’ll be rare. Acceleration isn’t as vigorous without the engine lending a hand, but it also doesn’t feel overburdened. Put the car in EV mode, and the electric motor can solely power the car up to 84 mph for either 44 miles in the SE trim or 39 miles in the XSE and XSE Premium trim levels. This is the Prius Prime, though, so you can do most of your driving without the engine coming on at all. There’s also less noise and smoother gas engine engagement than both previous-generation Toyota hybrid systems and some that share its fifth-generation system thanks to an added balancing shaft. Our first full-throttle application was on a fairly significant grade, and the pace with which we got up to speed resulted in an exclamation of “whoa!” It’s quick on paper and feels it from behind its chunky, nicely contoured wheel. Lay into the throttle, and the 220-horsepower Prime delivers a solid shove into your seat as its electric motor and gas engine combine in a smoother, more seamless manner than before. Much like the standard Prius, no longer is achieving max efficiency enough. Perhaps leading off with acceleration times when reviewing the definitive hybrid is an odd choice, but it’s just as representative of the Prius Prime’s stunning transformation as the sleek new looks. The old one hit 60 in 10.2 seconds, a pace comparable to the snails dotting the soggy sidewalks here in rainy San Diego county. It goes from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, a pace comparable to V6-powered midsize sedans and entry-level luxury sport sedans not too long ago. – After coming to grips with a world in which a Toyota Prius is a cool, genuinely attractive car, it’s time to wrap your head around another doozy: the new 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid is a genuinely quick car. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |