2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: Brief Drive Report (Page 2)

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2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: Brief Drive Report Page 2

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2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model

HI-RES GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model

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But Toyota rejects that logic. In conversations with engineers, we learned that the charging port migrated to the rear simply to save weight--by eliminating long runs of thickly shielded high-voltage cable from the rear-mounted battery pack to the left front area of the car.

Slightly ponderous

Toyota managed to take 150 pounds of weight out of the production car, compared to the prototype. But the Prius Plug-In still feels slightly heavier and more ponderous underway than a standard Prius liftback.

(Since we'd spent all day driving the significantly smaller and nimbler 2012 Toyota Prius C compact, the standard Prius may have seemed large and unwieldy, too.)

In either EV or normal mode, the plug-in Prius accelerates in a linear fashion--though of course it's smoother and much quieter with the engine off.

While there's some whine from the motor-generators and/or power electronics, all-electric operation is still much quieter. The difference in noise level is sufficient to encourage drivers to keep it operating on battery power as long as possible by modifying their driving habits.

Does it make sense for you?

The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is now the very top model in the four-car Prius range.

Whether it makes sense for you depends on how far you drive daily, and how often you can plug in (for up to 3 hours) to recharge the battery pack.

If you're considering the car, take a look at a post in which we crunched some of the numbers to demonstrate how it might (or might not) work for you.

High-end equipment

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model

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All Plug-In Prius models get remote air conditioning, a charging timer, heated front seats, a Display Audio system with navigation and Entune, and LED running lamps.

The base plug-in model starts at $32,760 (including destination), but the Prius Plug-In Hybrid Advanced trim level--which adds a navigation system, JBL GreenEdge audio, a head-up display, dynamic radar cruise control, a Pre-Collision System, LED headlamps, a power driver's seat, Safety Connect, and smartphone integration--costs $40,285 before adding any options.

The Prius Plug-In qualifies for a Federal income-tax credit of $2,500, as well as various state, regional, local, and corporate incentives for plug-in vehicles.

Last November, Toyota announced that Leviton will offer a 240-Volt, Level 2 home charging station—of up to 30 amps—with special support for Prius Plug-In customers, with the prices of $999 and up.

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model

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This year the Prius Plug-In Hybrid will only be sold in 14 launch states: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.

In several of those states, most notably California, the Prius Plug-In will qualify for access to High Occupancy Vehicle lanes with only a single occupant.

Next year Toyota will roll out the plug-in Prius in the rest of the country.

Toyota says it expects about 15 percent of its total Prius range sales to be the plug-in model, indicating that it hopes to sell 25,000 or more Prius Plug-Ins a year.

That puts the latest plug-in entry in the U.S. market about on a par with expected Leaf sales next year, with the Volt's sales numbers at that level or perhaps higher.

Let the plug-in battles begin.

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Comments (20)

John Briggs Posted: 2/29/2012 2:58pm PST

I still don't know what to think of the Plug-in Prius model of electrification. The Chevy Volt E-REV approach with 40 miles of ALL-ELECTRIC seems much better in terms of its environmental cred and long driving range possibilities. As a second car, the LEAF really shines as it uses no gasoline at all and has sufficient range such that on any given day, either my wife or I could use it.

As far as the vehicles go, the Prius layout is just far better than the Leaf or the Volt. There is very little room to sit in the back of either (no "toe room" in the back of the LEAF). Also, for cargo capacity, the Prius load bay is much better than the Volt.

I am the only one to feel like the PiP Prius is more of a "sure bet" than the other two?

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Jim Royston Posted: 4/9/2012 8:21pm PDT

John,

I have a Leaf and a Gen 2 Prius. I think the back seat of the Leaf is superior to the Prius since only kids ride back there and toe room is not needed. The kids also sit up higher than in the Prius so they can see everything better. It's less claustrophobic in the back of the Leaf than in most four door sedans.

How often do you have adults sitting in the back seat, really? Pretty low time I'd think.

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Eric P Posted: 2/29/2012 7:41pm PST

We just ordered one this week to replace my wife's car. Be sure to talk to the fleet manager however because salesmen at two dealerships lied to our face (not so shocking right), saying it would probably be another year before we could actually have one, and that they hadn't heard of anyone getting one yet (but look at this nice car over here). We'll have ours in about a month and the fleet manager said the first round of customers already drove theirs away. I have a Leaf which has been wonderful, and my wife normally drives very short distances so she'll mainly be running on battery with the Prius. Now we'll have an economical option for the long hauls.

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Eric P Posted: 2/29/2012 7:57pm PST

I also want to note that since our hometown is giving out $2000 toward the Prius, on top of the other state and fed incentives, the price isn't any more than the regular model. So why 100% of Prius-minded buyers wouldn't buy Plug-in is unclear to me.
You mention the two priced packages available, with the loaded version being quite expensive, but I want readers to know they can buy the base model and add navigation for about $700 through the fleet manager like we did if you don't want the rest of the fluff.

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George Parrott Posted: 3/1/2012 8:57am PST

Eric, et al,
Before I would now ever consider adding a factory based navigation system, I would check out several of the portable car units. At least a couple of 7" screens and offer LIFETIME MAP UPDATES, which OEMs are charging $140 or so for each such annual update. Our last 5 cars have had OEM navigation, but I plan on trying to avoid this very costly extra profit item for the OEM on my next car if possible.

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Evil Attorney Posted: 3/1/2012 8:17am PST

I still don't understand why someone would want to buy the PIP vs. the normal Prius. You will end up paying a lot more for only a slight mileage improvement. Even with a short commute, you will end up burning gas. It's sad that Toyota has made such a seemingly half-hearted effort here.

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Evil Attorney Posted: 3/1/2012 8:21am PST

Also, the PIP's "range" seems deceptive. Yes, it has an 11 mile range, but that's in blended gas/electric mode. As the EPA sticker says, it only has enough juice in the battery for about 6 miles.

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/1/2012 10:04am PST

Prius PHV's electricity consumption is lower than the tiny i-MiEV (29kWh/100mi vs 30kWh/100mi). Leaf and Volt consume 34kWh/100mi and 36kWh/100mi, respectively. Prius PHV is also rated 50 MPG on gas hybrid mode alone.

EV in the city and HV on the highway and the ability to switch modes by the driver, there is an opportunity to optimize both fuel in your commute.

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Evil Attorney Posted: 3/1/2012 12:37pm PST

You are looking purely at the numbers. It appears very difficult to keep the PIP in pure electric mode, even in the city. I think I agree with John B., the PIP's main competitor is the normal Prius. For shorter commutes, the Leaf/Volt seem like a better option if you are trying to use less gas. And for long distance commutes, the normal Prius seems like the best bet, but negating 6 miles of gas for a longer commute probably won't decrease your mileage too drastically. So I'm not sure where the PIP fit in to that equation.

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/1/2012 4:09pm PST

Have you driven it? If not, let's not make EV performance assumption based on the no-plug version.

I have been on the prototype and it was a huge difference.

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Evil Attorney Posted: 3/1/2012 4:36pm PST

A huge difference how and compared to what? With the numerous reviews and EPA sticker, I think we can make some performance assumptions, such as the typical amount of total EV miles will be 6, according to the EPA. Their range estimates for the Volt and Leaf weren't that far off, so I doubt they will be far off with the PIP.

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/1/2012 4:42pm PST

EV performance in city traffic. You can read owner experience on Priuschat. A few California got theirs delivered already. One got 14 EV miles.

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/1/2012 4:51pm PST

BTW, AER of 6 is before the gas engine kicks in due to a hill simulation in the highway test cycle. The battery charge still remains until 11 miles. During this 11 miles, it is rated 95 MPGe.

Since there is a button to switch between EV and HV mode, you can choose to run EV mode only in city traffic and leave the highway miles in HV mode.

EPA doesn't test it that way. They require continuous electric miles to qualify for AER. If you put 6 EV miles at the beginning of your trip and another 6 miles at the end, you'll have a total of 12 right? Nope, according to EPA, you had 6.

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John Briggs Posted: 3/2/2012 4:25am PST

I think that is about right. This is a "blended mode" hybrid and the electric only range might just as well be zero. However, during the first 11 miles, I think it is fair to say that the PiP is using mostly electricity.

This blended mode surely has value in displacing gasoline and reducing pollution, but it seems less "satisfying" than driving on pure electricity.

I mean, what is the point of driving a Prius if you can't feel smug :). The other day I had a Leaf owner refer to my Prius as a "gas-guzzler."

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/3/2012 3:10pm PST

You can feel smug in city driving conditions where Prius PHV can easily keep up with the traffic.

For long freedom drives, you can also feel smug with the 50 MPG eAT-PZEV rating.

Leaf may not use any gas but with the current grid cleanliness, it produces 230 gram of CO2 per mile (national average). Prius (no-plug) produces 222 gram/mile. The PHV model should be cleaner between 200-210 gram/mile.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/calculator.jsp

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John Briggs Posted: 3/1/2012 10:15am PST

What is the elevator pitch for the PiP? Is it something like, if you are buying a Prius, might just as well get the plug-in. In other words is Toyota only competing with itself.

The vehicle is too different from the Volt of the LEAF to be compared directly.

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Dennis Chin Posted: 3/1/2012 5:06pm PST

Plugin hybrid peg won't fit into EV hole.

A hybrid need to use both fuels. Battery is great for city slow speed stop and go traffic. Gas is great for high power, high speed long distance miles. Using the right fuel at the right time is something only a hybrid with two power sources is able tap into.

It also add the fun factor because the control is given to the driver with a switch. It is not about EV purity but it is about optimizing both fuels.

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John Briggs Posted: 3/2/2012 4:27am PST

I might also add, it is also about producing a Plug-in at a more reasonable price. The PiP continues to offer one of the greenest rides available, with a great deal of room for people and their stuff.

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Mr EnergyCzar Posted: 3/1/2012 4:56pm PST

The battery and range is too small for the distances people drive in the states... the next version should address this better hopefully... by then, the engine shouldn't come on at highway speeds...

MrEnergyCzar

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Tony Mori Posted: 3/3/2012 11:57pm PST

Agreed. Any time you stomp on the pedal to merge in, or get above 62mph, you're burning gas. Sorry - that's not a PEV. My Volt does just fine, and when time to burn gas comes, my Volt does it at around 43mpg. I can run around, driving decently, and easily get 40-44mi in EV on the Volt, and not even have to recharge at work. In my case, a 65mph and 75mph freeway, I'd be burning gas 90% of the time in the Prius. And, is the article backwards? I thought they went from a 4.4 to a 5.2Kwhr battery? If it was only 4.4kWhr, it wouldn't qualify for the federal tax credit, which starts at $2500 for 5kwhr, and an additional $417 per additional kWhr in battery capacity.

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