Blown away… I was pleasantly & surprisingly blown away by the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Couple quick facts: You get about 35 miles of full electric power before it switches over to gas/hybrid mode. MSRP starts at $33,000 (about 5-grand more than the regular Prius). And – it might come as a shock that I am so into it… so let me set the stage. We’re in a time where ‘mobility’ is the narrative of today’s automotive industry. Overall, drivers don’t LOVE DRIVING anymore. But under the radar, the Toyota Prius has honestly become quite exceptional.
The Toyota Prius has evolved into something curious…
See, we expect MPG greatness. But here’s the curveball: The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has evolved into something of a driver’s car as well. It’s lowkey precise, engaging, and refreshing to drive (and look at). The Prius will dive into corners, hug the lines steadily, and instinctively fall into a driver’s rhythm. It kind of provokes you to keep momentum in order to maximize efficiency – to ride the wave so to speak. I’m aware of how all this sounds lol… trust me. But the raked angle of the hood, windshield, roof, and rear hatch are virtually the same pen-stroke. The design provides great visibility off the front corners, and gives the cockpit a low-slung atmosphere. The Prius is not a physical and/or rowdy car by any means. It’s very light to the touch. But somehow, it’s not numbed-out. You might not get it in the first mile, but the more you drive it, the more it starts to connect.
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: Efficiency with engagement…
Could this be the perfect daily?? I drove this Prius Plug-In Hybrid over 500 miles (charging it while at home). And after a week, I STILL had over a quarter tank (at least 150 miles) left. Unreal! Just to be polite, I put 2.5-gallons in it, and was floored to see the gauge bump to 3/4 tank! So rounding-off here: The Prius Plug-In Hybrid can go over 500 miles on about 10-12 bucks of gas. Let that sink in a minute. Results may vary depending on your driving patterns. But when you’re just running around locally & keeping it charged at home, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid barely gets into the gas. Yet – it gives you the freedom (& peace of mind) to go literally anywhere at the drop of a dime… and not be enslaved to a charger OR a gas pump.
I never fully appreciated the plug-in hybrid concept until I experienced it in the Prius…
And the distinction is: The Prius Plug-In Hybrid isn’t a crossover or SUV that just exists to check a ‘plug-in hybrid’ box. Rather, it was designed from concept to be exactly this. And arguably – that makes the Prius Plug-In Hybrid one of the best, most undiluted versions of its kind. Please watch the video below. It’s short lol, And it’s honest, in-the-moment, & unrehearsed.
