The Major Differences Between the 2023 Prius and 2023 Prius Prime

You might be stuck deciding which version of the 2023 Toyota Prius to go with—the original or the Prime. It's easy to look at both and get caught up in a wave of confusion over which one is right for you, which has the price that fits your budget, and which features are more aligned with the kind of vehicle you're looking to buy. But if you were shopping for a Toyota Prius for sale, which one do you go with and why?

Well, this article will help you figure out the right model for you by outlining the differences, the perks, the benefits, and the features of both the 2023 Prius and the 2023 Prius Prime. While they share the same name, there are some stark distinctions between these two models. So, let's go over those differences and what you can look for if you choose a Prius or Prius Prime...

Hybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid

The main difference between the two is not something you'll be able to see right off the bat if you're looking at the Prius and Prius Prime only from the outside. They look identical, but that's because the real hook is on the inside, with the Prius being a traditional gas/electric hybrid and the Prius Prime being a plug-in hybrid, also known as a PHEV.

In the case of the original Toyota Prius, it's a hybrid available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It utilizes a combination of a 222-volt lithium-ion battery pack and a 2.0L inline four-cylinder combustion engine. In front-wheel drive, a permanent magnetic AC synchronous motor delivers 83 kW of power; in all-wheel drive, the front electric motor is paired with an interior permanent magnetic rear motor that delivers up to 30 kW of power.

The Prius Prime is also powered both by an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. The Prius Prime has the same 2.0L inline four-cylinder, but the major difference is that it comes with a 650-volt, 13.6-kW lithium-ion battery pack and a permanent magnetic AC synchronous electric motor that outputs 120 kW of power; this makes a difference in the performance of the Prius Prime, but also another big factor: charging.

With the original Prius, you refuel the vehicle solely by keeping the fuel tank filled, which in turn keeps the engine running, which then powers the alternator to recharge the battery pack. Regenerative braking refills the battery's power, keeping the electric motor going, but you will need to keep gas in the Prius's tank to keep the vehicle operating.

With the Prius Prime, you have the option of using both gas and plug-in charging capabilities. You can either rely more on charging the Prius Prime's battery and prioritizing the electric motor or keep the gas tank full and rely more on the traditional combustion engine. With the Prius, you don't have the plug-in option like you do with the Prius Prime.

Differences in Power

Not only are there differences between the types of powertrains, but there is also a power difference between the Prius and Prius Prime. The standard Prius's 2.0L inline four-cylinder hybrid engine produces up to 196 hp when combining the electric motor with the internal combustion engine's total output. The Prius is also paired up with an electronically controlled CVT (continuously variable transmission) for the front-wheel drive or the electronic on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The Prius Prime offers a bit more horsepower than its hybrid sibling. Even though it, too, has the 2.0L four-cylinder, the larger and more powerful battery pack works in conjunction with its electric motor to produce a total of 220 hp. So you get noticeably more power from the Prius Prime than from the standard Prius—but, like its sibling, the Prius Prime also comes with an electronically controlled CVT.

The slight difference in power output is obviously due to the larger battery in the Prius Prime. Given that the Prius Prime is a PHEV, it also means it can take advantage of the plug-in charge capabilities to get the most out of its power capacity. Since the standard Prius relies on the four-cylinder to help power the electric motor, and it has a smaller battery pack, you don't get quite as much performance out of it as you would the Prius Prime.

Differences in Fuel Economy

Both the Prius and Prius Prime have some of the best fuel economy in their segment. However, there are differences between the fuel economy you get in the Prius versus the Prius Prime. Regarding the Prius, you have a total fuel economy of 53 MPG in the city and 54 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive; you get extended range in front-wheel drive, with up to 57 MPG in the city and 56 MPG on the highway.

The Prius Prime's numbers are very close, clocking in at 53 MPG in the city and up to 51 MPG on the highway. While these figures might seem lower than the standard Prius, you also get up to 44 miles on the battery-powered electric motor alone—so, if you want to save on gas by only traveling via the electric motor and just recharge via the plug-in whenever possible, you do have that option with the Prius Prime.

Differences in Drive Modes

The Prius and Prius Prime are designed to get you the most out of their range, and drivers can employ distinct drive modes to help achieve this. Both versions of the Prius provide drive modes to take advantage of their hybrid capabilities, but these differ between the models since they utilize their hybrid functionality slightly differently.

The Prius comes with four drive modes you can select using the toggle from the console stack: EV, Eco, Power, and Normal. EV mode gives you a limited travel range using only the electric motor and at lower speeds. Power mode will provide you with the best acceleration possible, while Eco mode is designed to save you as much fuel as possible during your travels. Normal is the standard operating mode.

The Prius Prime has three different drive modes, but their configuration is different from the standard Prius; these modes include EV, EV Auto, and Hybrid. With EV mode, you get an electric-only form of power, saving on fuel. The Hybrid mode unites both the gas-powered engine and the electric motor. The EV Auto mode is a unique mode designed to autonomously switch between modes based on driving conditions and fuel-saving opportunities.

Differences in Capacity

There is another slight difference in the capacity of both vehicles. The interior cargo volume for carrying goods differs ever-so-slightly between the Prius and the Prius Plus: the former has a total cargo volume of 23.8 cu.ft., while the latter has 20.3 cu.ft. of space. There's a small difference between the two, but it's something still to consider depending on which model you're most interested in.

So basically, you get slightly more power out of the Prius Prime, but you get better fuel economy out of the standard Prius. You also get slightly more cargo capacity out of the Prius, but you can bypass the combustion engine with the Prius Prime and travel solely on electricity. So, there's some give-and-take to consider between the two.

If you need help picking out the right Prius, contact the experts here at Future Toyota of Yuba City. We'd love to be of assistance.