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Which year is best? 2017-2020 Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by mmbeller191, Apr 11, 2023.

  1. mmbeller191

    mmbeller191 Junior Member

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    I’m going to be in the market for a Gen 4 prime. 2017-20. I typically look for a newer car with higher mileage which typically indicates hwy use. At a minimum I want a model with Softex seats. Any advice or manufacture dates I should avoid? Just wondering if there were issues identified through the years or if certain years were more reliable. Here’s what consumer reports says.
    Thanks in advance!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they've all been very good, no model year issues. get the newest lowest mileage you can.
     
  3. PianoBench

    PianoBench Member

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    2017 to 2019 Prius Prime had 4 seats. The 5th seat was a plastic storage bin with no middle seatbelt.

    2020 to 2022 Prius Prime feature a 5th seat with seat belt and removed storage area. I kind of prefer the 4 seater Prime for some strange reason. It avoids the awkward 5th hump position.

    Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid - Wikipedia

    I'll just link the wikipedia page. It summaries better than I can. I forgot about the sun visor extenders. Those are very important !

    Although I bought these from Japan. They fit my Prime perfectly and physically block out the sun while still being removable. window sun screen
     
  4. Marine Ray

    Marine Ray Senior Member

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    LE Trim.jpg XLE trim.jpg Ltd Trim.jpg All 2017-22 years are good bets. Here's something I put together.
     
  5. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    +1. Newer models also have Apple Car Play.
     
    Jerry Carter likes this.
  6. Sarge

    Sarge Senior Member

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    … to add, CarPlay support started in 2020. Also, AndroidAuto was only available in the lower trim with the smaller display (not on the 11” display). If those are important to the OP… :)
     
  7. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    We have two, a 2017 LE and a 2021 AWD. Differences:

    -2017 has no Satellite radio capability (but I can stream my SiriusXM signal from my cellphone to the car via Bluetooth.)
    -2017 takes 0W-20 oil while 2021 takes 0W-16 (and 2017 had cannister oil filter and 2021 has spin-on. I converted the 2017 to spin on so they both take same YZZN1 filter)
    -2017 averages around 50 mpg while the 2021 gets 58-64 (depending on my driving)
    -2017 OEM tires were pretty bald at 24,000 miles...2021 has same tires but are, still, pretty good at 24,000 miles
    -2017 has no fog lights are anyplace to add them...2021 has really good ones.
    -2017 has a spare tire and 2021 does not (I added one)
    -2021 has the lane assist system that will actually steer the car back from the center or right (when on) while the 2017 has lane assist but it just beeps, no steering


    Other than that, same great car....no issues at all (so far!)
     
    Marine Ray likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    2017 prime has a spare tire?
     
  9. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Oh shoot...no, I don't have Primes, just LE/AWD....to quote Roseannadanna "Nevermind!"
     
    bisco likes this.
  10. Blox

    Blox Junior Member

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    Great tips!
     
  11. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    My 2017 base model (Plus) has SiriusXM.
     
    ColoradoBoo likes this.
  12. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Nice! I did find a hack to be able to listen to SiriusXM in the 2017....turn on the Audio from BlueTooth from my iPhone and use my SiriusX App to tune it...works pretty good as long as the phone has a signal.
     
  13. shebobg

    shebobg Junior Member

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    When we first bought our 2017 Prime we had the windows tinted all around. It helped block out the sun.
     
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  14. mmbeller191

    mmbeller191 Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone for all the input! Yesterday I bought a silver 2017 Prius Prime Premium with 70k miles for 19k. It is in great shape and still looks new inside and out. I took it home and fully charged it. When I started driving, electric range showed 20.6 miles. Is that a normal dropoff from 25 at this point or would you say I should get the battery checked?

    One other issue I can't figure out. The horn beeps briefly when I unlock/lock and lots of other times. Anyone know how to turn this off? I have an elderly neighbor..
     
    bisco likes this.
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    That should be buried in the settings menu. Along with autolocking of doors, which doors unlock with the driver's, auto head light sensitivity, etc.
     
  16. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    Concerning your electric range: That is a prediction based on how it has been recently driven. After you go through a few cycles of driving it and charging it it should normalize to your driving style.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Has Toyota added a horn warning or is it aftermarket?
     
    Louis19 likes this.
  18. Louis19

    Louis19 Active Member

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    AFAIK the gen 4 prime only beeps or chirp when locking or unlocking door , I would think that horn warning is after market ..unless the OP is pressing the red button on the fob !
     
    #18 Louis19, Jul 14, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2023
  19. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    The range could be even lower if dealers had it awhile. It doesn't mean anything for you starting fresh.
    If it’s the horn, sounds like aftermarket? It should just make a chirp not the horn. Not very loud either.
    What a deal. If bought at a dealer, you should be able to get a federal tax credit based on the purchase price as it was under 25k. It would be $4000. Plus any other local incentives including your utility company.

    Used Clean Vehicle Credit | Internal Revenue Service