2023 Toyota Prius Prime Has HUGE All-Electric Range

Toyota has announced that its completely redesigned 2023 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid can travel up to 44 miles on pure electric power alone - an impressive 76% increase over the previous generation, though that's only for the base SE trim. In hybrid mode - meaning when the 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine equipped with dual motor is in action - the now sexy-looking Prius Prime SE has an estimated 52 mpg combined rating. The XSE and XSE Premium trims will go an estimated 39 miles in EV mode but a combined rating using gasoline was not provided.

Both the Prius Hybrid and Prius Prime were revealed earlier late last year, but details on the latter were minimal up until recently. Along with those range estimates, Toyota says that while in Hybrid mode, the Prius Prime's engine and 13.6-kWh lithium-ion battery provide more power for improved acceleration.

With a combined 220 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque, the Prius Prime has an estimated 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. That's definitely not sports car-like but it is a 35% improvement over the previous generation's lackluster 10.2-second time. The 32% torque increase is also a major contributing factor.

The SE comes standard with 17-inch dark grey alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen, and six-way power-adjustable fabric seats with black and red trim. Some additional standard items include six USB-C ports, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Stepping up to the XSE gets you everything on the SE along with bigger 19-inch alloys, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat trimmed in the SofTex material, a Smart Key system for the front doors and trunk, and wireless charging. Optional are a 12.3-inch display screen, a fixed glass roof, and a digital key. The top dog XSE Premium tacks on a JBL Premium Audio system with eight speakers, a power rear liftback, and heated and ventilated front seats.

Buyers can then opt for things like a Panoramic View Monitor, heated rear seats, and Advanced Park. The latter should be quite impressive because, as the name clearly suggests, helps the driver with parking and parallel parking by controlling steering and braking.

Also optional is a 185-watt solar roof capable of charging the drive battery but only when the vehicle is parked. All trims have three driving modes - Normal, Eco, and Sport - and, for now, the Prius Prime is front-wheel-drive only. Some standard exterior color options include Cutting Edge, Guardian Gray, Midnight Black Metallic, and Reservoir Blue. Windchill Pearl and Supersonic Red cost $425 extra. Some standard safety items are blind spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, road sign assist, and safe exit assist.

What's new is something called Traffic Jam Assist, which Toyota describes as a driver-assist feature capable of providing hands-free driving - including steering, braking, and acceleration at speeds up to 25 mph - under certain conditions. A Drive Connect subscription is required for this and the XSE Premium comes with a one-year free trial. The lower two trims can have Traffic Jam Assist but only when equipped with certain features.

Pricing begins at $32,350 for the SE, $35,600 for the XSE, and $39,170 for the XSE Premium, not including the $1,095 destination fee. Sales nationwide are expected to begin shortly.