My experience with my 2023 Prius Prime XSE after 10K miles
My girlfriend and I needed a 2nd vehicle, and decided a plug-in hybrid was the way to go for our situation. The biggest factors were reliability and fuel efficiency, and after researching, I decided that a Prius Prime would be the best option. The 2023 redesign was too pretty to resist, and after test driving a 2026 to make sure it was comfortable for my 6'2 frame, I decided on a trim, and started exclusively looking for 2023s and up.
I didn't want to take a chance on a 36K mile used and abused fleet/Uber Carmax flip, so I took my time calling every type of dealership in my state and the states surrounding. Zilch. Plenty in California, but I was trying to avoid a destination fee. People just don't give these cars up once they get them.
Took 6 weeks to find the one I'd end up buying at a Toyota dealership 700 miles and 3 states away. 2023 XSE, 13K miles, clean Carfax that showed a solid maintenance schedule, PPI mechanic gave it a thumbs up and said it looked brand new. Salesperson said it was a 3 year lease to an older person that apparently didn't drive much. They threw on a new set of Michelins and I got it for $30K OTD. I'm sure I could have gotten a better deal, but I wanted *this* car. That was back in June, and I've been driving it daily since.
The miles per charge is definitely the most pleasant surprise. This XSE model is rated for 39 miles, but I get 44-50 real world miles, with 52 being the highest I've managed. Using the fan shaves off a few miles per charge. I do a 40 mile round trip twice a day, so I installed a Level 2 charger in my garage to get a full charge between those trips. It takes about 3 hours, and being able to completely eliminate gas on a regular basis is a total game changer. On longer road trips, a full gas tank will get us 450 miles.
The build quality is another positive. I live in Pothole City and nothing creaks or rattles. It's just really solid and sturdy. I've been in brand new Benzs that felt flimsier. These aren't luxury materials by any stretch, and the piano black accents are super annoying to keep clean, but the interior looks and feels pretty good to me. It's comfortable and I like being in it.
You feel the build quality in the driving experience too. This sub had me paranoid about the 19 inch wheels, but the ride is surprisingly very quiet and smooth. I've driven older Priuses and the ride quality was fine. This is a lot better than fine. It's quick and nimble. Quickly accelerating past other cars is deeply satisfying. Engaging the B mode on hills and whatnot is also very satisfying on a gamified, number-go-up level. It's just fun to drive.
The biggest con is the visibility. I'm a skilled old school parallel parker, but the visibility in this car makes it difficult to judge the space, and I always end up a foot from the curb. The A pillars, especially the left one when making left turns, can be brutal blind spots.
All said, I'm very pleased with our purchase. After 10K miles, I still think this is the right car for us. I plan to keep it for as long as it'll have us.