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Why the Prime and not the regular Prius?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Turquo, Jul 15, 2020.

  1. Prim.e.xample

    Prim.e.xample Active Member

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    For me it would be the form factor plus the price. I would have no desire to pay $40k on a RAV4 (not including incentives/rebates).
     
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  2. Tips

    Tips Member

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  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It's attractive me, but not nearly as fuel efficient or electricity efficient and probably WAY out of my price range.
     
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  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No. But 68km AER is attractive. And if toyota prices the SE below CAD$45k, it’ll qualify for both federal and BC rebates - that’s $8k. Making the RAV4 Prime SE $2,000 more than the RAV4 Hybrid XLE (and actually around the same as the 2016-2018 RAV4 Hybrid SE when it was new).

    I suspect the RAV4 Prime XSE will top out just over $50k so it’ll be a few grand more than the equivalent Hybrid XSE after rebates.


    I just noticed you’re in B.C. The Prius Prime qualifies for a total of $4,000 in rebates which puts the base Prime just $500 more than the base Prius. The Prime Upgrade is $1,500 less than the Prius Technology FWD and a loaded Prime Upgrade w/ Technology package is $500 more than the Prius Technology FWD.

    Edit: Added clarity that I was comparing the RAV4 Prime to the RAV4 Hybrid XLE and Hybrid SE, not the gas versions.
     
    #24 Tideland Prius, Jul 20, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2020
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  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Soon, we can't just call our car "PRIME". It's gonna have to be PRIUS PRIME or RAV4 PRIME.:cautious:
     
    #25 Salamander_King, Jul 20, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2020
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  6. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    Or Prius’ and RAV4’ for the math wizzes amongst us.
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That's what's most attractive to me. I also like the extra space for big road trips. But then I think about my last big trip in the Prius Prime and realize I already have enough room and the RAV4 won't even come close to the long range fuel economy I get now.

    But then there's all that room. 171697_HeadScratchingEmoji.jpg
     
    #27 jerrymildred, Jul 21, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2020
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  8. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    If you have low electricity rates, the Prime will save you money over the life of the car. With the tax credit and possible rebates, the cost of the vehicle could be less as well.
     
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  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah. I don't need the space from the RAV4 Prime but I would sure love a lower loading floor on the Prius Prime to at least match the Gen 2/3 Prius.

    I already have my next car in mind and unless Toyota wows me with a solid state Prius EV, it won't be a Toyota :(
     
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  10. Prime_Time

    Prime_Time Member

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    You can’t leave us hanging like that...
    :D
     
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  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh. I didn’t realise you guys wanted to know lol.

    upload_2020-7-21_19-22-8.jpeg

    Global News Release
    https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/world-premiere-id-space-vizzion-concept-car-displays-perfect-aerodynamics-and-ample-space-in-los-angeles-5602

    More details for each sub segment (interior, exterior, powertrain etc)
    https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/world-premiere-id-space-vizzion-5592


    • 300 miles EPA target
    • 4 or 5 seater
    • 82kWh gross/77kWh net
    • Wheelbase is longer than the Avalon so there’ll be insane amounts of legroom
    • 20 cu. ft. cargo area
    • 0-60 in 5 secs (5.4 sec 0-100km/h)
    • RWD optional 4Motion electric AWD
    • Up to 335hp (AWD)
    • No frunk (they moved the cabin forward instead)
    • 0.24 Cd
    • Augmented Reality HUD (we’ll see demos on the ID.3 and ID.4 before this arrives as both models will have AR HUDs as optional extras)
    • AppleSkin synthetic leather that uses the pulp from apple juice production to replace plastics in the upholstery
    • “Chrome” trim will be replaced with chrome alternative so reduce ecological footprint
     
    #31 Tideland Prius, Jul 21, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    If you go this route, will you be Prii-less:whistle:.

    I hope not as you're the only moderator we interact with around here:oops:.

    But looks like a great candidate(y).
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There’ll still be a Gen 4 in the family.

    The return to Prius depends on what Toyota offers. They did well with the Prime so it’s clear they have the know-how. I thoroughly enjoy driving the Prime but it’s undertired. It’ll definitely drive better with wider tyres and the chassis definitely can handle more power (I mean it can easily handle the 164hp on the Corolla SE/XSE or the 180hp on the 2.0 litre HSD Corolla Hybrid).
     
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh and it's about 16.1kWh/100km (3.90mi/kWh) combined. The Prius Prime is 15.8kWh/100km (3.95mi/kWh) combined so the penalty for that larger vehicle is small. This is all theoretical of course as we know the Prius Prime is capable of significantly better numbers (6.94mi/kWh being my personal record).
     
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  15. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    I'm torn on what Toyota was thinking with the Prime. On one hand I love car. Mechanically it's a genius design that gives you insane fuel economy on gas and has a usable amount of EV range. Meets my needs perfectly. I like how it looks and it is enjoyable to drive.

    On the other hand I hate the infotainment system. Is all been said on other forums but I really get the impression that it was never tested for any length of time before being released. It's usable but counter intuitive and distracting! I really wish they would have spent a bit more time figuring out how to give us the exact same features in a way that the driver can more easily use. Get rid of muda (waste, in this case duplicate or unnecessary information) so that you can make more efficient use of the real estate to make the stuff that is actually useful clear and easy to access. Isn't that what Toyota is known to do with manufacturing? (y) Better use of physical buttons would have been nice too. Hate taking my eyes off the road to do this like adjust the AC, turn off audio (pause button anywhere?) or turn off the display.

    Last rant... If you're not going to give me a spare tire... How about a 15A / 180W cigarette lighter so that I don't have to worry about blowing a fuse when inflating my tires with a non Toyota compressor?

    So mad because it's such a good car that I have to learn to deal with the down sides!
    :D
     
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  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I agree with everything said here. It's a joy to drive and insane fuel economy (both gas and electric). And yes, I feel that the 11.6" MFD is under utilized and has so much more potential.

    Pressing and holding MODE on the steering wheel will pause the audio (At least in radio mode). I can't remember if it pauses or mute in BT Audio or iPod or USB mode.

    There are some things that can be adjusted on the MID via the steering wheel. Yes that requires more clicking but it's basically clicking on the steering wheel D-pad or fumble with the bottom of the MFD.
     
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  17. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    Just tried it... Works with BT audio. You just made my day.
     
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  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Perfect. Just remember to press and hold to resume. Pressing once will change modes.

    When the audio system is off, pressing MODE once turns it on.
     
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  19. FloriDavid

    FloriDavid New Member

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    I can only describe my own thinking and perhaps some is relevant for you.
    * my weekday commute is 18 miles roundtrip. so if i charge the car at night i can avoid using any gas if the car does 25 miles on electric as claimed.
    * if i use less gas, i change the oil in the combustion engine less frequently and do all other maintenance on related components less frequently. much cheaper to run an electric motor than a combustion engine.
    * i live in south florida which has very low electric rates, so charging is inexpensive
    * the car runs very quietly in EV mode and driving is more enjoyable
    * the $4,502 federal income tax credit made the price for a well equipped prime lower than that of a corresponding non-prime prius. Assuming you can swing the cost of a new Prime, it's worth getting that vehicle. People who sell used Primes do not seem to reflect the tax credit in the price (sneaky!) so you may not benefit from getting a used one. I suggest - put together a spreadsheet showing your net cost of used prius, used prime, new prius, new prime and you may see that the new prime has the best net cost after all rebates and tax credits (if your jurisdiction and local utilities have those incentives)
     
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  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The gas engine on my Prime only runs about once a week. Last time I got gas was just over five months ago. 90% or more of my driving around town is EV. I've gone 3,100 miles so far on this tank. Yet I had no problems last year getting 50-60 mpg on a 6,000 mile trip from FL to AZ and through the mountain roads of AZ, NM, CO without charging stations and then all the way across the desolate sandhills of northern NE.

    The non-Prime Prius is arguably the most efficient hybrid you can get. Unless you compare it to the Prime. The Prime blows it out of the water. So far, my total MPG is 133 (NOT MPGe). Around town, it's around 250-400 mpg. Typical cost per mile including electricity for me is about 2 cents per mile. Prius will get you 50-65 mpg around town.

    Most people think the Prime looks better, too.
     
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