Electric cars may not be practical for everyone yet, but a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius Prime may be the next best thing. The Prius Prime offers a substantial EV-only range for everyday driving. It’s still efficient when the battery drains, operating like a conventional Prius. And it’s available for a relatively affordable price — by PHEV standards.
Used Toyota Prius Primes can be a compelling option. The pre-2023 Prius Primes lack the range (25 miles when new vs. 44 miles), good looks and driving performance of the current generation model. But they are still capable, efficient and affordable — especially if eligible for the used EV federal tax credit.
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Which generation used Toyota Prius Prime should you buy?
Toyota has produced three generations of Prius plug-in hybrids. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-16) produced 134 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. Its 4.4 kWh battery delivered 11 miles of EPA range in a mostly electric blended mode. Toyota introduced the next-generation Prius Prime (2017-22). It produced an even more anemic 121 hp, but it more than doubled the EPA range to 25 miles in pure EV mode with an 8.8 kWh battery pack.
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Toyota overhauled the Prius Prime for 2023, and the changes were dramatic. The current Prius Prime looks cooler and more conventional. It uses a larger 2.0-liter gas engine and a bigger 13.6 kWh battery. It offers the most EPA range among affordable PHEVs: 44 miles in pure EV mode. And it’s more fun to drive, improving its 0-60 mph acceleration time to 6.6 seconds from longer than 10 in the previous generation.
2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Photo by: Toyota
How much does a used Toyota Prius Prime cost?
It depends on the generation. The original Prius Plug-in Hybrid ranges from around $5,000 to $17,000, depending on the model year and the mileage. Used editions of the first Prius Prime tend to run between $20,000 and $30,000. Many dealers will price the vehicle a bit below the $25,000 threshold to qualify for the federal tax credit. Current-gen 2023 and 2024 used models go for between $30,000 and $40,000, around the price of a new Toyota Prius Prime.
Does a used Toyota Prius Prime suffer battery degradation?
The short answer is yes. All Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. A 2020 study showed that a 2019 Toyota Prius Prime lost 2.3% of its battery capacity during its first year. Degradation on that car will have continued, though not necessarily at a linear rate.
Note that battery degradation does not matter as much in a PHEV as in an EV. For example, a 15% battery reduction in a Toyota bZ4X with a range of 228 miles would dip the range to 193 miles, which would feel significant. However, a Prius Prime losing 15% capacity would mean the conventional hybrid mode kicks in after 21.25 miles of pure EV travel instead of 25 miles, which would feel far less significant.
Dealers have or should be able to run a diagnostic test on a Prius Prime battery. Failing that, buyers should be able to glean a rough idea of the battery’s state by monitoring the range during a test drive. Newer, less used batteries should have greater capacity remaining. Newer battery tech should be more resilient to degradation than older tech.
Are there any known issues with a used Toyota Prius Prime or Prius Plug-In Hybrid?
We’ll spare you waxing poetic about Toyota’s commitment to quality, durability and reliability. Toyota Prius Prime and Prius Plug-In Hybrid models should be relatively reliable.
A few critical safety recalls on some models need to be addressed. 2012-15 Prius Plug-in Hybrids were recalled for a potential issue with the EV fuse. Some 2022 Prius Prime models were recalled for a problem with the hybrid ECU. Consistent or catastrophic mechanical issues have not plagued plug-in Priuses.
Prius Primes exposed to extreme heat in areas like the American Southwest may have suffered more battery degradation than other vehicles. Models from the first two generations used active air cooling rather than a liquid cooling setup for the lithium-ion battery.
What warranty coverage does a used Toyota Prius Prime have?
Prius Plug-in Hybrids and Prius Primes built before 2020 came with an 8-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty. From 2020 onward, Toyota increased the coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota’s warranty covers manufacturer defects, not gradual degradation over time. The battery warranty is transferable to a new owner.
Essentially, all Prius Plug-in Hybrids will be out of warranty. Most Prius Primes built before 2020 will have at least some battery warranty remaining. Vehicles built during or after 2020 should have ample battery warranty coverage left. Note that warranty replacements for PHEV batteries are rare.
Other warranties with a used Prius Prime include a 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year unlimited mileage rust warranty.
Should you buy a Toyota Prius or a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius Prime?
It depends. One major factor will be availability. Toyota sold more conventional Prius hybrids than Prius Primes and Prius Plug-in Hybrids. The plug-in versions were not always evenly distributed, so used Prius hybrids may be much easier to find in many areas than plug-in hybrid versions.
With older Prius plug-in hybrids, the question is whether the benefit gained from charging with a cord is worth the nuisance. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid offered minimal range (by modern standards), and that was when news. Older Prime models may also have a diminished range after more than a half-decade of battery degradation.
