Low temps and Auto/HV modes

i would switch to hv right away. it has pretty much been determined that auto was useless on gen 4 and likely no better now.
there haven't been a lot of gen 4 problems, but if you intend on keeping the car, the engine will survive much longer if it is properly warmed up whenever needed for acceleration.

 

I'm with Bisco on that one; engine should be warm when you demand power from it. On my 4th gen; you need to get over 80 mph, 128 Kmh for the ICE to kick-on. My understanding is that you have a larger engine and battery (capable of 40 miles), in your gen5. You should be able to manage your commute without using your ICE - unless temperatures drops below optimum battery usage conditions. In that case, the ICE will simply turn-on.
IMHO, if you park your car at work or home and the ICE is running; I would probably let the car complete it's warm-up phase before shutting-down the motor.

 

I would suggest to switch to HV right away for engine warm up and cabin heating because below 20F the heatpump will struggle and suck alot of electricity just to try to warm up the cabin . When the engine is warm and the cabin is cosy then flip to EV mode. the engine is a very efficient heat generator.
For short trips , of a few kilometres ,where the engine would not have enough time to warm up enough , keep it in EV and switch on the seat and steering heaters

 

It is a 7 mile trip. If the engine has to come on for extra heating or defogging, I'd just leave it on for the whole trip to give more time for moisture to be driven out of the oil.

 

I would stay away from using AutoEV mode in cold weather ....well finally all the seasons . Stick to EV or HV.

 

I really like your secretly hopes......when I acquired my prime in 2022 ...I realized that this car was a saucerfull of secrets