Toyota has gone to great lengths to differentiate the XW55 Prius Prime PHEV from the regular XW50 Prius. See the differences in this side by side comparison.
Prime
Prius
The Prius Prime (Prius PHV in Japan) has a completely different front-end design with more a traditional horizontal headlight treatment
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Prius
Both cars ride on the new Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) that's said to be lower, lighter and more fun to drive. Most of Toyota's new front- and all-wheel drive cars, including the next-generation Camry, will be based on this modular architecture. Shame the side profile of both the Prius and Prius Prime is so wilfully challenging on the eye.
Prime
Prius
While the sides of the Prius and Prius Prime are shared. The rear of the Prius Prime has a more conventional and handsome tail-light treatment. There's also double bubble glass for the rear windscreen, and a wavy rear spoiler.
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Prius
The two cars have similar interior layouts, although there are subtle differences with their dashboard. The Prius Prime has repositioned and newly vertical central air vents on account of the larger and taller infotainment display. The passenger facing section of the Prime's dashboard also doesn't sweep upwards towards the windscreen like the one on the regular Prius hybrid does.
Prime
Prius
The Prius Prime's drivetrain has a total of 90kW (121hp). There's a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol with 71kW (95hp) at 5,200rpm, and 142Nm (105 lb-ft) at 3,600rpm. The Prime has an 8.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack and EPA EV range of 40km (25mi). It has a combined hybrid fuel economy number of 54mpg (4.4L/100km), and a 133MPGe window sticker.
Prime
Prius
The regular Prius hatchbacks have the same total system output, and the same 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder. Non-Eco variants have a nickle metal hydrive battery and a combined fuel economy rating of 52mpg (4.5L/100km), while the Eco models have a lithium-ion pack and are rated at 56mpg (4.2L/100km).
Prime
Prius
Toyota were probably a little sick of the attention given to the Tesla Model S, and its large and tall infotainment screen, so they decided to give the new flagship Prius model, the Prius Prime PHEV something similar.
