New plug-in 2017 Prius Prime: 22 miles EV range; 84 MPH EV mode; ugly

[MetroMPG]

Toyota just unveiled their updated plug-in Prius "Prime" model, with improved EV specs and somewhat revised styling compared to the 2016 Prius:





Highlights:

• EPA range rating of 22 miles
• 8.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack
• recharge time: 2 hours on 240 v; 5.5 hours on 120
• up to 84 mph in EV mode
• both the motor plus the motor/generator can propel the car in this version (the old one was criticized for having the ICE come on too frequently for faster acceleration)
• still ugly

Related article: 2017 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid: 22-mile range, styling updates

[Daox]

I like the specs! Wonder what the price will be though haha.

Honestly, I think the back end definitely looks better than the standard Prius. The front end is a wash.

[MetroMPG]

Odd: apparently the plug-in version is just a 4-seater, according to Toyota's specs.

I guess that means they'll capture all the gen. 1 Volt owners who were disappointed that GM added a 5th seating position to the gen. 2 Volt.

I ONLY WANT 4 SEATS!

[gone-ot]

Good SPECS, lousey DESIGN.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by Daox

Honestly, I think the back end definitely looks better than the standard Prius. The front end is a wash.

I'm the opposite, I think the front is much better on the Plugin and the rear is a wash (both are bad). Specs look much better than the original, but I would still take a Volt over one.

[MetroMPG]

I still haven't tried a Volt. I keep seeing the one local guy who has a gen. 1. He's an EV evangelist -- known to offers rides/drives, so I should probably go for a spin.

My city's so small, though, a PIP has more than enough range for local driving.

[fusion210]

My first thought was how ugly it was as well, but after watching this video and seeing the pics again it's grown on me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRyvyA_0oZ0

[sendler]

Maybe one of the resident aerodynamicists can tell us why so many new car designs feature those gaping feux scoop nostrils in the front.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I guess that means they'll capture all the gen. 1 Volt owners who were disappointed that GM added a 5th seating position to the gen. 2 Volt.

Wasn't the lack of a 5th seat among the main complaints of conservative customers about the early Volt? Anyway, it does surprise me that Toyota sacrificed seating space instead of trunk space in the new plug-in Prius.

[markweatherill]

Hooray! It's 'Discount Mirai'.