Prius Prime Changes its Name to Prius Plug-in Hybrid for 2025

Click for more plug-in.

Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that the 2025 model year version of Prius Prime will be rebranded as the  Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in is intended to help consumers easily identify the powertrain choices among Prius models. The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also adopt a “PHEV” badge on the rear, indicating its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain. It will be available in three grades: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. Pricing was omitted. Back in 2022 when a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and a 6.6-second 0-60 time, it was a flexible vehicle short and longer trips. The 2025 with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the SE grade has a manufacturer-estimated 44-mile all-electric driving range rating. While the XSE and XSE Premium have a manufacturer-estimated 40 mile all-electric driving range rating.

“When those long commutes are inevitable, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid puts Toyota’s fifth generation Toyota Hybrid System to work, combining a highly efficient 2.0-liter engine and electric motor generators for an efficient driving experience with a manufacturer-estimated of up to 52 MPG combined rating. It also has impressive horsepower and torque with 220 net-combined hybrid system horsepower and 139 lb.-ft. of torque,” Toyota said.

Both the standard Prius Hybrid and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid are powered by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, which combines the output of the gasoline engine and electric motors. The biggest difference is that the Plug-in Hybrid model can be plugged in to recharge its lithium-ion battery pack. There’s no special equipment needed for home charging, just plug the Prius Plug-in Hybrid into a standard household outlet using the supplied cable (Toyota recommends using a dedicated GFI 15A outlet). The battery will recharge in about, yawn, eleven hours on a standard 120V home outlet and in about four hours on a Level 2 charger under ideal conditions. If you can’t plug it in, it will continue to run as an efficient hybrid.

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The Prius PHEV can operate in EV, Auto EV/HV, or Hybrid Mode depending on the driver’s needs and the vehicle’s state of EV battery charge. EV Mode relies solely on the vehicle’s battery when there is sufficient charge and functions just like any other Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) without support from the gasoline engine. When in Auto EV/HV Mode, the vehicle will still primarily rely on the vehicle’s battery to drive the wheels but will switch to HV mode to provide additional power in more demanding circumstances such as up steep hills or at higher speeds. In Hybrid Mode, the Prius Plug-in automatically switches between the gasoline engine and the electric motors to efficiently combine the engine drive force and the electric power from the hybrid battery.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can also optimize efficiency by recognizing the driver’s stopping patterns on frequently driven routes and suggesting when to let off the accelerator. The optional “Predictive Efficient Drive with Predictive Deceleration Support” collects daily driving data to optimize points of deceleration and stopping. From then on, when the driver goes through a frequented location, the system indicates when to let off the accelerator and can apply assisted deceleration to help boost fuel efficiency.

The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid has Toyota’s fifth generation Toyota Hybrid System, which pairs the M20A-FXS inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter gas engine with two motor-generators (MG1 and MG2) through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. The engine, working in tandem with the electric motor (MG2), is said to provide responsive performance, while “exemplary energy efficiency is achieved by using both electric motors (MG1 and MG2) to charge a lithium-ion battery.”

A compact high-output/low-loss drive motor for the transaxle/motor uses a six magnet and electromagnetic steel plate configuration to support drive functions. For improved performance while in Hybrid mode, both engine power and battery power are used for acceleration with 220 net combined hybrid system horsepower, 139 lb.-ft. of torque. The Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, which coordinates operation between the regenerative braking force of the electric motors and the hydraulic braking system force to provide optimal stopping power. By proactively using the electric motors to recover as much electrical energy as possible from the regenerative braking system, this cooperative control helps to maximize fuel economy.

Drive modes on all Prius PHEVs

• NORMAL: Allows the hybrid system to achieve an ideal combination of fuel economy and vehicle acceleration. The accelerator opening amount changes linearly in response to accelerator pedal operation.
• ECO: Improves hybrid system efficiency by limiting power in response to light to moderate accelerator pedal input.
• SPORT: Enhances dynamic performance and acceleration.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) is designed to help detect a vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist and provide an audible/visual forward-collision warning under certain circumstances. If you don’t react, the system is designed to provide automatic emergency braking.
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is an adaptive cruise control system that is designed to be set at speeds above 20 mph. DRCC uses vehicle-to-vehicle distance control to help maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) detects lane markings or the road’s edge at speeds above 30 mph. LDA w/SA is designed to provide an audible/visual warning if an inadvertent lane departure is detected. If no corrective action is taken, Steering Assist is designed to provide gentle corrective steering for lane-keeping assistance.
• Lane Tracing Assist: Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is designed to help keep the vehicle in the center of a lane. LTA assists the driver with steering control while DRCC is in use.
• Road Sign Assist: Road Sign Assist (RSA) uses the forward-facing camera to recognize specific road signs, such as speed limit, stop, and yield signs. RSA provides sign information to the driver via the Multi-Information Display.
• Automatic High Beams: Automatic High Beams (AHB) is designed to detect headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of preceding vehicles. AHB automatically toggles between high and low beams as appropriate.
• Proactive Driving Assist: Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) uses the vehicle’s camera and radar, when system operating conditions are met, to provide gentle braking and/or steering to support driving tasks such as distance control between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. PDA can also provide gentle braking into curves.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid also has a standard Wi-Fi Connect* 1-month/3 GB trial that has 4G connectivity for up to five devices – turning the Prius Plug-in Hybrid into an AT&T Hotspot. Adding to the already robust offering of audio playback ability with HD Radio®, USB data and a SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription, Wi-Fi Connect also enables the new Integrated Streaming feature (1-month trial included), providing customers the ability to link their separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music® subscriptions to the vehicle for onboard control.

Each Prius Plug-in Hybrid also offers up to 10-year trials for both Safety Connect* and Service Connect* The Safety Connect trial includes an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator with up to a 10-year trial period. The Service Connect trial gives drivers the ability to receive Vehicle Health Reports, Maintenance Alerts and reminders, also with up to a 10-year trial.

With the Toyota app, users can stay connected to their Prius Plug-in Hybrid with an active Remote Connect* trial or subscription (1-year trial included). Users can activate headlights, lock/unlock the doors and remotely start the vehicle. Owners can also check vehicle status, receive reminder notifications and set Guest Driver Alerts. Digital Key* is standard for the XSE Premium grade and optional for the XSE grade (requires an active Remote Connect trial or subscription)– making it easy to lock and unlock doors, remote start and more all from a smart phone.

*4G Network dependent

Limited Warranty and ToyotaCare

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Hybrid-related components that require repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first from original date of first use when sold as new. The hybrid battery is covered for 10 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, and is transferable across ownership. Prius Plug-in Hybrid models also come with the ToyotaCare plan that covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24-hour roadside assistance for three years, unlimited mileage.