Living with the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime for a week provided some insightful everyday takeaways, especially if you’re considering a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Having previously enjoyed a brief test drive of the Prius Prime, this extended period allowed for a deeper dive into its practicalities and quirks. From charging convenience to real-world electric range, and even some unexpected audio issues, here’s a breakdown of my week with the Prius Prime 2017.
Effortless Home Charging: No Special Equipment Needed for Your Prius Prime
One of the most appealing aspects of the Prius Prime 2017 is its user-friendly charging system. Forget about installing expensive charging stations or specialized wall jacks. This plug-in hybrid is designed for everyday convenience, allowing you to simply plug it into a standard household outlet – the same type you’d use for appliances like a hairdryer. Toyota officially quotes a full charge time of 5.5 hours, and my experience was consistent with this. Each time I plugged in the 2017 Prius Prime, the display indicated a charge time of approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes. Since I consistently charged overnight, verifying the precise charge duration wasn’t feasible, but the convenience was undeniable.
Alt text: Close-up of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime charging port, highlighting its standard plug-in compatibility for easy home charging.
A minor inconvenience I encountered was the length of the charging cord. It proved too short to reach a wall outlet on the opposite side of my garage. However, this was easily resolved with a heavy-duty 12-gauge extension cord, used with Toyota’s permission, which facilitated seamless overnight charging. This simple workaround underscores the Prius Prime 2017’s adaptability to typical home charging scenarios.
Exceeding Expectations: 25+ Miles of All-Electric Range in the 2017 Prius Prime
Toyota advertises an all-electric range of up to 25 miles for the Prius Prime 2017. Being a driver with a slightly heavier foot, I initially anticipated a more conservative range of 15 to 20 miles in real-world conditions. However, the Prius Prime pleasantly surprised me. My first drive after a full charge involved about 10 miles of city driving with moderate stop-and-go traffic, driven with a reasonably light foot. Subsequently, transitioning to highway driving, I tested the acceleration more aggressively. To my surprise, the Prius Prime 2017 delivered closer to 30 miles in all-electric mode during this instance, exceeding the manufacturer’s claim.
On another occasion, dedicated entirely to highway driving at around 75 mph, the electric range understandably decreased slightly. Yet, it still remained within the impressive 23- to 25-mile range. This consistent performance reinforces the 2017 Prius Prime‘s capability to achieve and even surpass its advertised electric range, especially in mixed driving conditions. With more emphasis on regenerative braking and less high-speed driving, consistently achieving 25+ miles of electric-only range in the Toyota Prius Prime 2017 seems highly achievable.
Audio Hiccups: Bluetooth Phone Quality in the Prius Prime Plus Model
My test week with the 2017 Prius Prime included a road trip from Chicago to Indianapolis, which presented ample opportunity to test the hands-free Bluetooth phone connection. During numerous calls, I found myself apologizing for what I perceived as a poor connection quality on my end. Interestingly, recipients of my calls consistently reported no such issue. My husband even rated the audio quality from his perspective as a 7 out of 10, a surprisingly positive assessment from a critical listener.
This feedback led me to conclude that the audio issue was localized to the Prius Prime 2017’s audio output, specifically through the car speakers. While phone pairing was seamless and the microphone effectively transmitted my voice, the incoming audio through the speakers was noticeably crackly and subpar. It’s important to note that the test vehicle was the base Plus model, lacking the upgraded JBL premium audio system. This likely contributed to the less-than-ideal audio experience. The JBL premium audio upgrade is exclusively available on the top-tier Advanced trim of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, priced at $33,100. In the Plus trim, the standard audio quality was significant enough that I resorted to using headphones for important calls.
Cargo Cover Concerns: A Minor Drawback in the Prius Prime Plus
The standard lightweight cargo area tonneau cover included with the Plus trim of the Prius Prime 2017 proved to be a less refined feature. It frequently detached from its buttoned closures and tended to sag over items in the trunk. This not only looked untidy but also potentially compromised security by making it visually obvious that items were concealed beneath the cover, a concern, particularly in urban parking environments.
Alt text: View of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime cargo space, illustrating the standard tonneau cover and its potential limitations in concealing items.
Similar to the JBL audio system upgrade, a more robust and effective cargo cover is only available on the Advanced trim level of the 2017 Prius Prime. For those prioritizing cargo area security and a more polished interior, upgrading to the Advanced trim might be a worthwhile consideration.
Interior Aesthetics: Dealing with the “Toilet Bowl” Accents in the Prius Prime
The Prius Prime 2017 boasts a distinctive and somewhat polarizing design, both externally and internally. Personally, I appreciate the quirky and unconventional exterior styling. The standard cloth seats are commendable for their durability, visual appeal, and surprising comfort. The centrally located gauges, positioned above the center console, are another design element I found appealing.
However, the white accents on the center stack and console presented a subjective aesthetic challenge. Their resemblance to a toilet bowl was an inescapable visual association that detracted from the otherwise modern interior. Fortunately, Toyota offers a black applique accessory that effectively covers the majority of these white accents, significantly improving the interior’s aesthetic appeal.
Alt text: Interior view of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime center console, focusing on the white accents and the available black applique as a styling alternative.
This black applique is available as an accessory starting from the mid-level Premium trim of the 2017 Prius Prime (priced from $28,800) for an additional $199. It covers both the shifter area and the lower console, offering a more cohesive and less jarring interior color scheme.
Surprisingly Well-Equipped Base Model: Prius Prime Plus Standard Features
The base trim level, Plus, of the 2017 Prius Prime (starting at $27,985) is surprisingly well-equipped, despite being the entry-level option. Even in its “bare bones” configuration, it includes desirable standard features such as heated front seats, a navigation system, and the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety technologies.
Further enhancing convenience, the Prius Prime 2017 Plus trim features passive entry on the driver’s side and a push-button start system. The test vehicle was additionally equipped with carpet floor mats and body side moldings, bringing the as-tested price to $28,418. These standard and modestly priced additions make the base Prius Prime 2017 a compelling value proposition.
Final Verdict: A Thumbs Up for the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
After a week and over 500 miles in the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, my initial positive impression was reinforced. This plug-in hybrid is a genuinely enjoyable vehicle to drive. It offers a comfortable ride, even on longer journeys, and possesses sufficient power for confident merging and highway passing maneuvers.
During the test week, I managed to charge the Prius Prime 2017 only three times, achieving a combined fuel economy of 64 MPGe. With more consistent charging habits, one could realistically approach the EPA-estimated 133 MPGe. The Prius Prime is characterized by its quiet and smooth operation, making it an excellent choice for daily commuting and everyday driving needs.
While the base Plus trim offers considerable value and appeal, for city dwellers or those who regularly park in public spaces, upgrading to the top-tier Advanced trim of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime is highly recommended. The significantly improved cargo cover alone justifies this upgrade. Furthermore, the Advanced trim adds desirable features such as intelligent park assist, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and the premium JBL audio system. In my opinion, the additional features and refinements of the Advanced trim are well worth the approximately $5,000 price increase, enhancing the overall ownership experience of the Toyota Prius Prime 2017.
