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2018 Toyota Prius Prime

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Make
Toyota
Model
Prius Prime
Year
2018
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Toyota Prius Prime OEM Exterior Photo
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
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2018 Plus 5dr Hatchback
most popular
Price:   -  From $27,300
2018 Premium 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $29,000
2018 Advanced 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $33,300

Overview

A plug-in version of Toyota’s flagship hybrid, the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime starts at $27,995 (including the $895 destination charge). Built on the same platform as its standard hybrid sibling, the Prius Prime is available in three trim levels, includes a tablet-sized infotainment screen, and an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric driving. The lack-luster driving performance withstanding, the Prius Prime is catching up on its chief rival, the Chevrolet Volt, and should be carefully considered for those looking to join the plug-in hybrid revolution.

What's New for 2018

The Prius Prime debuted in 2017 and Toyota has made no significant changes for 2018.

Toyota Prius Prime

Choosing Your Toyota Prius Prime

The primary difference between the standard Prius and the Prime is former's plug-in capability. Consumers can connect the Prius Prime to a 120-volt wall outlet or a 240-volt Level 2 EV charger, soak up juice for a few hours, and then cover 25 miles on electrical power alone.

Each Prime is powered by the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 95 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. The 53-kilowatt electric motor is added to deliver a combined output of 121 horsepower. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission which supplies power to the front wheels.

While in hybrid mode, the Prius Prime returns an EPA-estimated 55 miles per gallon city and 53 mpg highway, for a combined 54 mpg. With a fully charged battery, the Prius Prime is rated at 133 miles per gallon equivalent and can cover up to 640 miles on gasoline and electrical power.

Consumers looking to purchase a 2018 Toyota Prius Prime have three trims to select, the Plus, Premium, and Advanced. There are no available option packages. The Prius Prime does qualify for a $7,500 federal income-tax credit, although that is not included in this pricing.

Toyota Prius Prime

Plus

The Prius Prime Plus is the base trim, starting at $27,995 (including the $895 destination charge). The Plus features the usual accoutrements for an affordably priced Toyota – there's a seven-inch touchscreen operating Toyota's Entune infotainment software, navigation, a rear-view camera, a six-speaker audio system with USB connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio, split-folding rear seats, and a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster.

As is the case with most new Toyota products, the automaker's Safety Sense P system is standard, boasting an advanced array of active safety gear at no cost to automakers. The Prius Prime's setup includes adaptive cruise control that operates at all speeds, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assistance, and automatic high beams.

Toyota Prius Prime

Premium

The Prius Prime Premium (please say that five times, fast) starts at $29,695. This trim picks up where the Plus leaves off and adds a Qi-compatible wireless charging system, LED headlights, heated eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, and a smart charging cable lock.

The primary upgrade is the huge 11.6-inch multimedia display which includes AM/FM/MP3/WMA playback capability, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port, and the extra technology goodies bundled in the Plus infotainment system.

Toyota Prius Prime

Advanced

The upper-tier trim of the Prius Prime is the Advanced which starts at $34,095. The Advanced adds LED fog and accent lighting, a heated steering wheel, a color head-up display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an intelligent parking assist program, and a cargo area sliding tonneau cover.

The same 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system is included but now works alongside a JBL premium audio system that includes ten speakers. An auto-dimming rearview mirror that includes a HomeLink universal transceiver is also a standard feature in the Advanced.

The Advanced includes multiple added safety features including road clearance sonar and parking assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota’s Safety Connect service which includes emergency roadside assistance. This is a subscription-based program, but the Advanced comes with a three-year trial.

CarsDirect Tip

Plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds for consumers, providing the EV range for the daily commute and some errands, but with none of the range anxiety inherent in full EVs. In the Prius Prime's case, it lacks the range of a Chevrolet Volt, but rings up at a more accessible price point, particularly in Premium guise. The standard active safety gear, though, makes any Prius Prime a smart buy.

Get your price on a Toyota Prius Prime »

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Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

The plug-in version of Toyota's iconic hybrid, the 2018 Prius Prime features a heroically-sized touchscreen on most models, outstanding fuel economy, roomy four-passenger seating, and a long list of advanced safety features. But quirky styling, an EV range that falls short of rivals, and larger and more mainstream competitors like the Camry Hybrid hold the Prius Prime back.

Best Value

Available in three trim levels, pricing starts at $27,995 for the Plus model, rises to $29,695 for the Premium trim, and tops out at $33,995 for the full-boat Advanced. All three models are mono-spec, offer the same engine and transmission, and are eligible for a $4,502 federal tax credit. Choosing one over another comes down to features.

Standard fare includes the usual power bits as well as automatic climate control, heated front seats, keyless push-button start, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, navigation, Bluetooth, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, heated outside mirrors, a rearview camera, and advanced safety systems that include pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high beams.

Although both blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are appealing, the rest of what the Advanced trim offers isn't. However, for $1,700 more than the base Plus, the Premium model adds easier-to-maintain leatherette seats, Qi wireless phone charging, auto on/off headlights, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, HD radio with predictive traffic and weather, and an integrated rearview camera display. Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model: 2018 Toyota Prius Prime Premium
  • Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine / 60-hp electric motor / 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
  • Output: 95 hp (engine), 121 hp (system net) / 105 lb-ft (engine)
  • Transmission: CVT automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 55 City / 53 Highway
  • Options: None
  • Base Price: $29,695 (including an $895 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price: $29,695

Performance

Toyota Prius Prime

The Prius Prime's performance advantages include a smoother, more compliant ride than past versions courtesy of Toyota's newest platform, an improved braking system with a more seamless transition from regeneration to friction, and an equally seamless start/stop system. Fuel economy, as you might expect, is excellent at an EPA-estimated 55 miles per gallon in the city, 53 on the highway, and 54 combined. Its EPA-estimated 133 MPGe combined puts it in second place, just behind the 136 MPGe of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric.

The suspension does a nice job of isolating most bumps and road imperfections, exhibiting a sharper ride than past models. Initial step-off is acceptable, and, in around-town driving, accompanied by very little wind or road noise entering the cabin. In electric mode, a low-pitched whine from the electric motor can be heard, but even when the gasoline engine kicks in, its sound is muted. As for range, with an overnight charge and in sunny, 50-degree weather, we logged an impressive 30 miles of local driving (between 25 and 50 mph) in all-electric mode with a half hour of charge remaining – despite a stated 25-mile maximum.

In spite of the improvements, performance remains pokey. The transmission is listless, little in the way of road feel is transmitted through the steering wheel, and the Chevrolet Volt's EV range eclipses the Prime's. In addition, cornering induces noticeable body lean with the energy-efficient tires offering little lateral grip.

Topping it all off, our Advanced tester came with not one, but two electronic nannies. The first – found on all models – is an incessant beeping with reverse engaged that's inexplicably heard only in the cabin. The second, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar offered only on the Advanced model, is designed to maintain a safe distance from a vehicle in front. On two occasions, waiting in the drive-thru line at Starbucks, the alarm sounded multiple times as we inched forward. With little room to back up and quiet the thing, the only solution was to put the transmission in park.

Interior and Exterior

Say what you will, but there's no mistaking the current plug-in hybrid, both inside and out, as anything but a Prius – tapping into the "see me, I'm green!" design philosophy that's followed the model for over a decade and a half. Third-generation models are lower and sleeker, with the plug-in version getting its own distinctive fore and aft treatments.

Up front, the Prime's upper fascia, with its horizontal headlights separated by a pseudo-grill and centered emblem, more closely resembles the rest of Toyota's sedan lineup, while the outline of the lower fascia mimics the Lexus spindle grille. Toyota has also toned down the Prime's hindquarters, with a pair of triangular taillights joined at the top by a thin light band that traces the hatch's upper trailing upper edge, while two lower elements reach halfway to the center emblem.

A Tesla-inspired 11.6-inch touchscreen dominates the interior on all but Plus models. There's an abundance of soft-touch surfaces and plenty of room for four adults (there's a console between the two rear seats). The seats are nicely bolstered, and the driver's view out the front and sides is excellent. Versatility also isn't ignored with 19.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

At the same time, the polarizing design – with its many angles and shapes – isn't for everyone. Taller passengers may find headroom tight in back, while the price for extended range includes sacrificing the middle seat in back, the inability of that seat to flip forward, and the loss of seven cubic feet of cargo space behind it. In addition, the odd, flipper-like shifter – surrounded by hard, high-gloss plastic – takes some getting used to. Like its forebears, the view out the twin back windows, separated by the hatchback lid, is awful.

The Best and Worst Things

We appreciate the Prius Prime's outstanding fuel economy, but are turned off by its looks and limited EV range.

Right For? Wrong For?

Toyota Prius Prime

With EPA numbers that speak for themselves, the Prius Prime should be a no-brainer for eco-conscious buyers.

At the same time, its design and performance will have style-conscious buyers and enthusiasts alike looking elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of its outstanding fuel economy and wide range of advanced safety features, the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime's polarizing design, poor handling and performance, and limited EV range place it only mid-pack in its class.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 95 HP / 105 ft.lbs.
Transmission
2-spd CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
Not Available
Passenger Capacity
4
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 95 HP / 105 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
Not Available
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
11.4 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$43
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
91 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
182.9 "
Exterior Width
69.3 "
Exterior Height
57.9 "
Front Headroom
39.4 "
Rear Headroom
37.2 "
Front Legroom
43.2 "
Rear Legroom
33.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
54.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,365 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
16.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Aluminum / 15.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
4
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Toyota Safety Sense C Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Vehicle Sway Warning Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2018 Toyota Prius Prime for Sale

7 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Toyota
Color: Classic Silver Metallic
Price

$17,998

Mileage

121,207 mi

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Harbor Chevrolet (14 mi)

Phone: (562) 326-5588
Toyota
Premium
Color: Gray
Price

$19,140

Mileage

79,600 mi

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California Motors Direct Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 200-2277
Toyota
Premium
Color: Silver
Price

$22,400

Mileage

51,989 mi

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STG Auto Group of Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 552-7433
Toyota
Premium
Color: Titanium Glow
Price

$23,749

Mileage

39,117 mi

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AutoNation Honda Costa Mesa (33 mi)

Phone: (888) 211-8876
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