My journey into the world of car reviews started unexpectedly, back in my college days. For a freshman English assignment, tasked with reviewing anything from films to gadgets, I chose a car – the Toyota Prius. My initial, perhaps overly critical, take on the 2010 Prius interior as being “as inviting as a hospital waiting room” drew a chuckle from my professor, but also a gentle nudge towards a more balanced perspective. That critique, and her suggestion to consider writing for the school newspaper, inadvertently set me on a path that leads to today. Now, years later, I find myself in a full circle moment, reviewing the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime as a professional automotive content creator.
Toyota’s Prius lineup offers diverse options, including the standard Prius, Prius C, Prius V, the Prius Prime, and the hydrogen-powered Mirai. The Prius Prime, however, occupies a unique spot as the plug-in hybrid variant, and it’s this model that’s been my focus.
Stepping Inside the Future: Interior and Technology
Sliding into the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, the immediate impression was strikingly modern, almost Tesla-esque. The interior is crisp and uncluttered, featuring seats upholstered in a futuristic white, which are surprisingly comfortable. Dominating the dashboard is an impressive 11.6-inch HD multimedia touchscreen, the command center for most vehicle functions. Above it, a 4.2-inch multi-information screen displays essential driving data like speed and energy flow. For someone accustomed to more traditional car interiors, the Prius Prime’s cabin is a breath of fresh, tech-forward air. Despite this being my first deep dive into a Prius, the controls felt intuitive. The unique, joystick-like gear selector added a touch of quirky charm, making me almost wish for a manual transmission just to engage with it more. The Park function, a small button conveniently placed next to the shifter, quickly became second nature.
Interior of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime featuring the 11.6-inch touchscreen and white seats
Adding to the futuristic feel is the color heads-up display projected onto the windshield, minimizing the need to glance away from the road to check speed. The digital speedometer readout is large and easily visible even without actively focusing on it. Adjacent to the speedometer display, a dynamic graphic illustrates the interplay between the gasoline engine and electric motors, offering a visual representation of the hybrid powertrain at work. The expansive touchscreen infotainment system will feel instantly familiar to anyone who has used a tablet. Furthermore, the Prius Prime includes Qi-wireless charging, allowing for effortless charging of compatible smartphones simply by placing them on the designated pad – a genuinely convenient feature for the tech-savvy driver.
Bold and Unconventional: Exterior Design
The exterior design of the 2017 Prius Prime is undeniably polarizing. Since its redesigned body debuted, opinions have been sharply divided. However, in person, especially in the vibrant Blue Magnetism (teal) color of the test model, the Prius Prime’s styling is, in my view, genuinely radical and forward-thinking. The bold color accentuates the sharp lines, curves, and edges, giving the Prius Prime a distinctly contemporary presence. It even evoked a nostalgic image of the capsule cars from The Jetsons cartoon – with its bubble-top cabin, sharply sculpted rear fenders, and wedge-shaped front end.
Everywhere I drove, the Prius Prime’s distinctive looks sparked conversations. People were curious, asking about fuel economy (MPG), charging requirements, and the overall cost. The 2017 Prius Prime also incorporates a functional spoiler, subtly integrated into the pointed hatchback design. The wave-like rear window is also engineered to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
Choosing a bright, eye-catching color for the Prius Prime is highly recommended. Opting for black or grey would mask the car’s unique design language, making it appear like a generic, pointy shape. Toyota’s limited color palette for the Prius Prime is somewhat of a missed opportunity. With only six options available, and four being variations of grey or white, the choices lean towards the mundane, which is a disservice to such a visually interesting car.
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime in Blue Magnetism showcasing its distinctive styling
Under the Hood: Performance and Efficiency
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime is propelled by a 121-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, working in conjunction with two electric motors and an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In all-electric EV mode, the Prius Prime offers a range of approximately 22 miles. While this range can be quickly depleted with aggressive driving, the plug-in capability makes recharging straightforward. The charging cables are conveniently stored in the trunk, and a full charge takes around 5.5 hours using a standard 120V household outlet, or just 2 hours with a 240V charger.
Performance-wise, the Prius Prime isn’t designed to be a sports car, but it’s certainly not sluggish. The 0-60 mph acceleration is achieved in under 11 seconds, which is adequate for daily driving. The Prius Prime offers three primary driving modes: EV, HV, and EV Auto, each managing the drivetrain’s efficiency in different ways. HV mode prioritizes electric power at lower speeds, switching to gasoline at highway speeds. EV Auto intelligently manages the transition between electric and hybrid operation for optimal efficiency. Within EV mode, labeled as DRIVE MODE, drivers can select between ECO, NORMAL, and PWR (Power) settings. PWR mode is the closest the Prius Prime gets to a sport mode, maximizing available power for acceleration and responsiveness. Even in PWR mode, the engine emits a subtle, almost endearing hum under acceleration, which, combined with the surprisingly brisk pace, can bring a smile to your face.
A notable feature is the Predictive Efficient Drive system. This intelligent technology learns your regular routes and braking patterns, providing prompts on when to brake to maximize efficiency. The Prius Prime also gamifies fuel-efficient driving by providing a score from 0 to 100, along with tips to improve your score. Initially, I anticipated this feature being intrusive, but I found myself actively trying to achieve a perfect score, highlighting its subtle effectiveness in encouraging efficient driving habits.
Dashboard display showing driving efficiency score in the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota claims an average fuel economy of 54 mpg for the Prius Prime. During my week-long test, I averaged a respectable 45 mpg. Refueling, even with a near-empty tank, cost only around $12, thanks to the combination of a small fuel tank and an efficient engine. The pricing for the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime starts around $26,000, and the well-equipped model tested had an MSRP of $36,305, positioning it competitively within the plug-in hybrid segment.
Final Thoughts: From Skeptic to Convert
My primary critique of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime is the weight of the carbon fiber hatchback. Closing it required more effort than expected, and surprisingly, it lacks an automatic closing button. The hatch also opens quite high, potentially posing a reach issue for some individuals. However, these are minor points in an otherwise compelling package.
Rear view of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime highlighting the carbon fiber hatchback
Close-up of the carbon fiber texture on the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime hatchback
Confessing my newfound appreciation for the Prius to long-time friends initially met with disbelief. Yet, the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime genuinely won me over. Its comfort, distinctive style, impressive efficiency, and surprisingly engaging driving dynamics created a positive impression. The low center of gravity and rear double-wishbone suspension contribute to confident handling through corners. I could easily envision owning a Prius Prime for daily commuting, reserving my less fuel-conscious muscle cars for weekend enjoyment. Perhaps it was a fleeting infatuation, a summer romance with a car. However, the growing community around electric and hybrid vehicles is undeniable, and the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime possesses a coolness factor that allows it to confidently participate in the burgeoning silent car culture.
Front three-quarter view of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime in motion
Conclusion
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime successfully transcends the typical Prius stereotype. It’s more than just fuel-efficient; it’s stylish, technologically advanced, and offers a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. For those considering a plug-in hybrid, the Prius Prime deserves serious consideration. It might just convert you too.
