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Prius vs Prime

Discussion in 'PriusChat Website Questions' started by REMUSRM, Oct 17, 2017.

  1. REMUSRM

    REMUSRM Junior Member

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    I am considering a prius two (not eco). I can get it relatively discounted around 21k but also noticed the Prime can be had for around 24-25k. Is it worth spending the money for the Prime? I do not intend to charge it as a plugin, but will drive from Frazier Park to Mission Hills on work days. Will the prime charge the battery enough to justify the price? I drive around 110/day and take long road trips so I can do around 39k/yr.
     
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  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Normally if you are not plugging in, then the regular Prius is for you. The big exception to that is Califrornia where Prime qualifies for free HOV status. There is new HOV legislation coming, I think it limits the benefits to 4-years...that could make for some interesting new strategies...so let's wait to Gov Brown to sign the Bill and see what we got.
     
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  3. VTBIGDOG

    VTBIGDOG Active Member

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    The Prime has a Federal Tax credit advantage and in a lot of instances will be better equipped and less expensive than most of the regular Prius lineup. A discounted Prime Plus will be less expensive than all Prius models

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Even without plugging in I believe the Prime gets better mileage due to the higher capacity battery.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this takes a bit of research.

    1) price depends on the level of prime, and rebates/tax credits available to you.

    2) prime does not charge the battery enough to make it more useful than lift back, in most situations.

    3) prime has a smaller hatch, 4 seats and no spare tyre.

    4) prime may have some advantages over lift back in terms of standard equipment, see the chart in the gen 4 sticky.
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I agree with all of the above posts...that pretty much lays out the options
     
  7. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    But only over relatively short distances. Should you travel further than the EV range, I understand the fuel consumption is generally greater than the comparable Prius hatchback due to the additional weight of the larger battery pack.
     
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  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    On the PiP, it was somewhat controversial if the bigger battery gave better hybrid-mode (no plugging-in) MPG. Consumer Reports said PiP was a little less MPG in hybrid mode due to extra weight, but many owners here said PiP was in fact better MPG.
     
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  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Never having driven a Prius Plug-in or a Prime myself, I can stand correction, but I've read a few recent reviews of the Prime on line and gleaned that opinion from those. Sorry I can't recall what and where I read.
     
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  10. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I'm not trying to explain why but in pure HV mode only, my Prime gets much better HV MPG than my 2010 Prius II. I had to work hard in the 2010 to get the mpg the Prime gets out of the box in no brain HV mode. The Prime rides and handles so much better than my 2010 due the extra weight of the battery. It's a big factor if you drive a lot. Is any of that worth it for someone who will never plug in? Only they can decide that.

    PS, I did test drive a 2017 Prius IV touring and the bigger battery of the Prime makes the ride way better than the IV.
     
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  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    A larger capacity battery can net more energy from proactive, gentle braking. If the driver, like most reviewers, tends to braking harder and later, and likely followed by harder acceleration, then the pack weight can hurt efficiency.
     
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  12. REMUSRM

    REMUSRM Junior Member

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    I think I might stick to the Prius 2. I have a mirage G4 and its get 39 avg, but wanting to trade in the Lancer AWC I got since only gets 26mpg. The prius 2 does come with full active cruise?
     
  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    2017, yes full Dynamic Radar Cruise Control..
    2016 Prius 2 only had standard cruise control. Radar cruise was not even available for the 2016 2.
     
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