World Premiere of 2023 Prius Prime in Japan

It is, but Toyota stated less than that at the initial unveiling. With the 50% coming from the first event for the new model, they likely are under reporting again to avoid having official numbers coming back lower.

 

36-mile BEV Range with 19" wheels, 44-mile BEV range with 17" wheels.

That is exactly why I am getting the SE, which is the only trim with 17" wheels.

This is very strange:

• 12-V battery is in the trunk
• Gas tank is under the trunk

Is this even safe? Isn't the gas tank supposed to be in front of the rear axle?

Prius | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

 

8 mile range loss due to wheels? That’s crazy

 

Would it be possible to buy a limited then buy 4 17" wheels and tires to get the better MPG? I'm sure it would not be cost effective but I would think the ground clearance would be reduced but maybe the have the suspension tuned differently.

 

This gives me more of a reason to take off those 19s and replace with a smaller wheel. That's a massive difference in range when you're in a pinch.

 

Yeah, I know. I had planned to purchase Subaru Solterra last year and made a reservation for it. I would have purchased bZ4X if our local Toyota dealer took an order, but they said, they will NOT get any bz4X. Anyways, I canceled the Solterra reservation, because it came too late to qualify for the tax credit after the IRA was enacted on 8/16/2022. Now in new 2023, none of the Toyota vehicles is eligible for the fed tax credit for a purchase. It may still be discounted for the tax credit under leasing. I purchased three Gen4 PP in 5 years all discounted over $10K from MSRP after rebates and incentives. No similar deals are possible on the 2023 Toyota models.

BTW, I can get a state incentive on 23PP. $3000 max. But, without the fed tax credit, it is still too expensive. I can get a max of $15K off on Bolt EV using both state and fed incentives. Yep, no question about which cars are more equitable. Toyota PHEV Prius Prime at the north of $30K vs GM Bolt EV at the south of $15K?

 

Where else was it suppose to go? The battery is now in the spot where the tank was in the Gen4. A PHEV requires compromises made to fit both drive systems.

Seen some reports that the higher trims have higher drag. Aero covers for the 19in wheels could help.

Sourcing a lighter 19in wheel and tire combo will improve fuel economy. It the 17in is heavier, it won't help. Weight is the main reason bigger wheels reduce fuel economy.

The OEM 17in tires are slightly smaller in diameter. That's were most of the ground clearance difference comes from. There are tire sizes for 17in, and maybe 16in, that are actually closer to the 19in in diameter. An actual tire of that size being available is a different thing.

 

The car was probably designed for the 17" wheels, which have lower ground clearance and aero wheel covers, greatly reducing the aerodynamic drag. They probably later decided that 19" wheels would attract even more buyers, only to realize that HV fuel efficiency and BEV range go down by 16% and 21%, respectively.

 

Upper trims don't really have anything extra other than the wheels anyway unless you really want faux leather.

I am worried about the fuel-tank safety.

Auto-Safety Expert—FUEL TANK—FIRE

 

It had to pass muster

 

It would suck to be the first Gen 5 Prius Prime owner (aka me) and then IIHS to declare the vehicle a fire hazard in rear-crash testing because the under-trunk-mounted fuel tank leaks.

 

It is hard to see how far back the gas tank is extending. I wonder if Toyota rear-crash-tested the car.

 

Are they now Ford Pinto fiasco v2.0 and v2.1???

 

Wow, stupid 19" clown car wheels lose you 10mpg

 

That might have been Jeep a few years ago for some 2005 to 2010 models.

The Pinto's fault wasn't the gas tank, other econo cars of the type were burning at about the same rate, but in stalling of the engine leading to the rear endings. A rear mounted gas tank on a Prius isn't much of a concern, as the cars aren't going to stall...

On a serious note, the safest place of the gas tank is probably under the front seat. Honda did this with the Fit, and some people also freaked out about that.

The sad thing about the Pinto affair was that Ford considered advanced for the time safety features like airbags and a fuel tank liner, but the market surveys showed people where unwilling to pay for them. Safety was once viewed like efficiency is today.

 

Well, you know we hear more about the BEV battery catching fire more often than any gasser cars bursting in flames nowadays. It's all in public perceptions.

 

Imagine what it could get with 15” wheels