We’ve all heard our parents call one thing or another a gateway drug, whether it be aspirin, coffee or MaryJane – one simple taste and you’re hooked for life. Not that we’re comparing the Toyota Prius to harden narcotics – but one week with the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid and, well, better call the rehab center because we are addicted.  

Shining Bright 

Despite other automakers devoting their R&D budgets to electrification, Toyota is on the fence and sticking strong to their gas-electric power hybrids. Afterall, their hybrid technology has been in the game long enough that they’ve managed to work out many of its kinks. Maybe they know something we don’t? Either way, with electrification carrying its own fair share of problematic issues like unreliable charging network, limited milage range, long charging times and being extradentary costly, its plug-in hybrids like the Prius Prime that start to be the glowing beacon we are all really need.  

A Quick Prius, What!?  

Calling the Prius Prime quick is probably a little too dramatic; however, coming from the previous generation that was slower than a snail snorting Redbull, this new Prime is sure to impress. Taking its gas powered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and pairing it with an electric motor powered by a 13.6 kWh battery, it produces 220-horsepower and 139 lbs-ft of torque. To put that in perspective, that is nearly 100-horsepower more than the previous generation Prius Prime. And to put that into performance numbers, the Prius Prime will go from 0-60 in about 6.5-seconds in its Sport drive mode. Now, it is not going to put you into the back of your seat but seeing how it has a 3.5-second gain over the previous model, that is one quick Prius.  

On a full charge and using just electrification for its sole power use, the Pruis Prime moves along at a pleasant pace. It will take about 10 seconds to achieve 60-mph without any assistance from the gas engine. The electric motor is responsive and nimble, feeling like a cheery electric golf cart that just goes without hesitation and nor does it have any problems passing slower motorists on the highway. A full charge will get you an approximate 40-miles of electric range and as long as you stay under 80-mph and do not mash your foot to the floor, it will stay in EV mode until it runs out of juice.  

Once the electricity runs out, the gas-powered engine comes into play providing an additional 300-miles of driving and this is when the Prime starts to work as a traditional Prius. Working together in harmony, the Prius Prime manages to produce 52.7-mpg’s combined during our week, – nearly 5-more mpg’s better than the EPA rated 48-mpgs. Combined that with the 3.4-kWh per mile average from its electric drive and it carries an approximate 83.6-eMPG. 

Unlike the standard Prius, the Prius Prime is not available with all-wheel drive, and it has not been made clear if there is a future all-wheel drive version coming. However, with the weight of the batteries, there is a centralized feeling to the Prime’s motions. The added weight and improved body structure gives it rigidity and it is surprisingly enjoyable to drive and even toss around the corners. The suspension is nicely tuned to handle the rough day-to-day driving but with our XSE Premium riding on large 19-inch wheels, one would not necessarily call it smooth either.   

Extra Sporty Comforts 

Much like the Prius Limited we tested earlier this year, the Prime carries the same host of premium attributes, except a few more sportier alternatives. Since the Prime is sold exclusively as an SE and XSE trim, they have swapped out some of the accent trim pieces and glowing accent light with red trimmings – and the glowing light also starts to pulse when a vehicle in front of you starts to proceed forward. A nifty way to attract your attention.  

Modern Annoyances 

We were trying to recall what certain annoyances we found the last time we tested the Prius and there were a couple carry overs like the limited visibility out of the rear and side windows. Option for the digital rear-view mirror and that helps provide a wider ratio of visibility behind you. Visibility forward is simply fine except we cannot tell where the front of the car starts and stops – option up for the parking sensors and this will help avoid any unwarranted bumps.  

And much like our experience with the previous Prius, we hosted a new set of passengers that complained about the entry and exit and head room space in the back seat – both knocking their heads as they entered and exited the vehicle. Granted these passengers were taller than 6-feet, but at least they had pleasant things to say about the ample leg room. So, if you are an Uber/Lyft Driver, you may need to have a caution, “low head clearance” sticker. 

However, there is one problem in particular that stood out – Toyota has introduced a new Driver Attention Monitoring system that uses infrared sensors just above the steering wheel that monitor the driver’s face. This system is not installed on every trim, but it was installed on our XSE Premium, and it is by far the most annoying safety feature ever equipped. When activated it is always on the attack – a single look away from the steering wheel and it sends off an alert, “Distracted Driver Detected.” And it’s not like it is a vibrating alert, it’s a loud beeping alert that alarms all the other passengers in the vehicle. And this isn’t just because we glanced at our phones either… checking your mirrors? ALERT! Changing the radio? ALERT! Checking your blind spot while changing lanes? ALERT! 

If that wasn’t bad enough, there is also a “Closed Eyes Detection” Alert. So, imagine yourself in traffic with the Adaptive Cruise Control engaged and you are just sitting there with your hands on the wheel – suddenly an alert pops up “Closed Eyes Detected” and you are trying to convince the car that your eyes are not closed. Through the chaos of the system not detecting open eyes, the cruise control disengages, and you get another “Distracted Driver Detected” ALERT.  

Thankfully that system can be turned off until there is a software update for a fix.  

The Numbers 

Since the Prius Prime is seen as the most powerful Prius, it is only available as a sporty trim starting with the SE at $32,675 and working its way up to the XSE Premium, such as our example. Tack on a few additional optional extras like the Solor Panel Charging Roof that would work ideally great in the west region and the Advanced Technology Package that gets you a 360-degree view camera and parking sensors, the Prime starts to climb above $40,000.  

Even by today’s standards, forty-grand is a lot to ask of for from compact car. But with EV’s carrying a much higher premium price and its own set of problems, the Prius Prime makes for the ideal gateway drug that brings in the best of both worlds at a respectable price.