There is an all-new version of the Toyota Prius, the 2017 Prius Prime. Learn about this new model and the benefits of a more electric version.
2017 Toyota Prius Prime
Many people love the Toyota Prius and the idea of driving a hybrid vehicleS, especially up here in Oregon. Prius lovers can rejoice because there is an all-new Prius model, the new 2017 Prius Prime, a plug-in electric version with a new cool name and an even cooler look. It has three trim levels which include: The Base Plus, the mid-level Premium, and the Advanced versions are all available and all have super features. With a price tag starting at $27,100, Prime is just the right price too! Inside you will find soft fabrics, easy, adjustable seats, and all the same interior quality that Toyota always delivers. The model I got to drive around for a week was the Advanced Prius Prime with all the extras. The price of this specific one was $35,128.00.
Green Technology
The Prius Prime is loaded with new technology and green technology.
- EPA-rated electric range of 25 miles
- 54 miles per gallon as a hybrid
- Rated 124MPGe in energy efficiency (a measure of how far the car travels electrically on the same amount of energy as it did on 1 gallon of gas)
How comfortable is Prius Prime?
With 2 rear seats that will accommodate two grown adults, the Prime may not have the extra center seat for the third person, but the overall comfort level is road-trip worthy, as long as you have 4 or fewer people. There is no option for a middle seat in the back row. For our family not have a 5th seat is non-negotiable, which is one of the reasons I still prefer the 2016 Toyota Avalon hybrid I drove last summer.
The trunk is large too and has a privacy cover. There is a little space for the plugin. 
Prius Prime Safety Features:
Toyota always has some of the highest safety ratings on the market each year and with each new model that comes out. I certainly feel safe when driving the Prius Prime, because of these features:
- Lane-departure warning
- Forward-collision warnings
- Automatic emergency braking
- Automatic high beams
If you decide to purchase the Prime model, you will also get the added safety perks of blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Fun Features on the Prius Prime
I love the fact that even the base Prius Plus comes with heated seats, heated mirrors, and a built-in navigation system as a standard in the model. You do not find that in many base models these days.
The Premium Prime model has even more features:
- 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen display. (This screen is massive. The largest I have seen in a car.)
- 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Qi wireless charging pad (if you have an iPhone you will have to buy a special case in order to use the charging pad.)
The Advanced version of the Prius Prime has these additional features:
- Navigation and vehicle information instructions
- Heated steering wheel
- Rain-sensing wipers
- LED fog lights
- Mobile phone app for remote control features
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Color Head-Up display – shown below and super handy!
If you already own a Toyota Prius or you simply want to “go Green” and join the movement of driving a hybrid or an electric car and save tons of money on fuel, you must check out the 2017 Prius Prime.
Prius Prime Drawbacks
But in case you are wondering what I didn’t like, be sure to watch my video review. One of the things I forgot to mention in the video is the cost to replace the back window. The back window has a cool distinct look, but if for some reason it is broken that glass costs over $3000 to replace.
Another opinion of the 2017 Prius Prime.
Experiencing the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in a Toyota Rav4 and a Prius
