SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 12, 2024 – In 2016, the Prius Prime was introduced to the world as a plug-in hybrid model that offered the best of both worlds, operating on battery electric power for a limited range or hybrid gas-electric power for longer-range drives. In 2022 a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer-estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and an impressive 6.6-second 0-60 time. It's a powertrain option that has become a great choice for many drivers, giving them the power to take on a daily commute in all-electric mode or head for that destination road trip that's across the country.
For the 2025 model year, the model keeps on going with its winning blend of powerful electric and hybrid driving but flips the switch to a new name: Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in name is intended to help consumers more 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.
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 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.
Power Up for the Road Ahead
Both the standard Prius Hybrid and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid are powered by Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, which seamlessly 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; 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 11 hours on a standard 120V home outlet and in about four hours on a Level 2 charger under ideal conditions. And if you can't plug it in, it's okay; the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will continue to run like an efficient hybrid.
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, like 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 even help optimize efficiency by recognizing the driver's stopping patterns on frequently driven routes and suggesting when to let off the accelerator. Available 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.