Prius, one of the most popular models from Toyota, brought a revolution to the automotive market. In the era of hybrid and electric cars, Prius is a pioneer in its segment. But there are so many models out there, and it can be hard to memorize which ones are purely electric and which are hybrid ones.
So, is a Prius an electric car? No, it is a full hybrid. That means that the car can run parallel with both engines, gasoline, and electric, but also each engine can work on its own.
If you are into Prius, stay with us. We will cover all the details about this popular model. You will know everything you need to know about it, and if you think about buying it, you will have all the necessary info before you go to the car dealership.
Is a Prius an All-electric Car?
No, it is not. It is an advanced plug-in hybrid. Its battery allows it to go around 25 miles without using a drop of gas. This technology is groundbreaking in the auto industry, and Prius placed the foundation for the commercialization of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Toyota has plans for the modernization of the current Prius, but there are no signs that it will be an EV. At least not in the foreseeable future.
How Does The Toyota Prius Work?
Toyota Prius is a full hybrid – that means that it has an electric motor and a gasoline engine. They are separated but can work together at the same time, or each can work on its own. A Prius has a six-element drive system, and its components are:
- Gasoline engine
- Electric motor
- Electric generator
- Power control unit
- Power split device
- Gearbox
Check Out Is Prius an Electric Car or A Hybrid Car?:
It is designed to save energy and to automatically change between gasoline and electric energy. The battery is charging while the engine is running. In city driving conditions, where there is a lot of start and stop situations, the electric motor is employed. That way the negative impact on the environment is stopped, and clean electric motors take over.
How Fast Is A Prius?
The maximum designated speed of a Prius is 106 mph, and it takes 11 seconds to go from 0 to 60.
Check Out Toyota Prius (0-190km/h) POV- TOP SPEED and Acceleration TEST:
Should I Buy A Prius?
If you are into efficiency, you should go for a Prius. You get a battery that is charged up with a second engine. It is a family car that can also be used for longer drives. You get a lot from one car. Another thing is design, and it all rests on personal choice. But all in all, a Prius is a good car.
Prius Efficiency
It all depends on the trim level, but we can take some average numbers. In the city, it is 54 MPG, on Highway 50, while combined 52 MPG.
Prius Drive Mode
Prius has 4 driving modes:
- Normal – mode for everyday driving
- PWR – also called sport mode
- Eco – all aspects of the drive are adjusted for fuel efficiency
- EV – mode where only the battery is used
Plug In Prius Battery Capacity
It has a capacity of 8.8 kWh and that enables the autonomy of the battery to 25 miles.
Toyota Prius Mileage Range
The total driving range with both full tank and battery is 640 miles.
New vs Used Prius: Which One Should I Buy?
It all depends on your budget, needs, and, finally, your personal feelings. Some people just like to be the first owner of the car, while others don’t think about it. You need to measure all the pros and cons and make a decision based on those.
New Prius
A new car is a new car, and there is no dilemma about it, but there are pluses and minuses to every story. There is the question of price, but also warranty may come in handy.
Prius, just like other new cars, has these pros and cons:
Pros
- You don’t need to think about previous owners and car maintenance
- The smell of a new car
- Warranty that covers all the regular maintenance
- Warranty on the new battery, which can be extended
Cons
- The price will inevitably go down right after the purchase
- Higher overall price
Used Prius
It may not have the smell of a new car, but it is cheaper, and it still runs.
Just like new cars have pros and cons, so the used ones have them too:
Pros
- Lower price
- Avoiding initial depreciation – once the new car leaves the dealership, it loses some of its value. Used cars don’t have this problem
- There are plenty of used Prius cars you can choose from
Cons
- Car history may be shady
- Maintenance fees could be high
- Overall conditions on the car vary so you need to choose carefully
What Engine Does A Prius Have?
Toyota offers only one engine for the Prius model, and it is a gasoline engine with 1798cc. It is a 16-valve, four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower. It is a dual overhead camshaft engine made of aluminum.
FAQs
Do You Need To Charge A Prius?
No. The battery is charged while driving. Charging is done by the combination of a gasoline engine and the technology called regenerative braking. It means that the battery is charged by the gasoline engine while the car is braking. This model is the pioneer of this technology in the automotive industry.
Can Toyota Prius run on gas only?
Yes, it can. It will lack power from the battery, and that will result in poorer performance and higher gas consumption.
Are All Prius Models Hybrids?
Yes, all Priuses are hybrids. From the news available, there are no signs of any changes in the future. Prius is still not meant to be a fully electric car.
What Is EV Mode In Toyota Hybrid?
This mode uses only the capacity of the battery to work. This happens only when there is no gas in the tank. Battery autonomy is 25 miles, so it allows the driver to find a suitable gas pump to refill the tank.
What’s The Biggest Prius?
The discontinued Prius V was the biggest Prius. In close second is Prius Prime.
Final Considerations
Prius is one of those cars that brought a revolution to the automotive industry, but at the same time, it is often overlooked. It doesn’t have an eye-catching design, but it can be used in a variety of situations. It can be a family car, a car for the city, and a car for longer trips. It has a solid follower base, so people notice its qualities.
Is the Prius a good car for you? It is up to you to decide, but the Prius is overall a very good car.
