2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

Pricing not yet announced

Reviewed

June 2011

A more fuel-efficient Prius is on the way

Pros

Not yet known

Cons

Not yet known

Our Analysis

Early reports on the upcoming 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, or Prius PHV, indicate that it's nearly the same as the current 2011 Prius in every way except that it has a larger-capacity Lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged via a standard 110 volt wall outlet or a 220 volt circuit with a home electric-vehicle charger. On a full charge, the battery pack lets drivers go farther on electric power alone, and ultimately, see significantly better real-world fuel economy than the already best-in-class standard Prius provides. Theoretically it is similar to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the only other plug-in hybrid available on the market today. Though the Volt and the Prius PHV are very different on a mechanical level (the drivetrains are entirely different), the overall plug-in hybrid idea remains similar.

Different battery technology than a standard Prius

The Prius PHV substitutes the Prius' usual nickel-metal hydride battery for a larger and more expensive Li-ion battery pack that can be fully charged in about three hours from a regular 110 volt household outlet (i.e. Level 1 charging), according to Toyota. In homes equipped with an electric-vehicle charging station on a 220 volt circuit (the same type used for a clothes dryer) or at public 220 volt charging stations, a full charge takes around 90 minutes. This larger-capacity battery allows the plug-in Prius to travel at speeds of up to 62 mph on electric power alone, which is much more than the regular 2011 Toyota Prius (Base MSRP: $21,650 to $28,790) setup allows. Under electric-only power, the Prius PHV has a range of up to 13 miles. After that expanded electric-only range is exhausted, the Prius PHV then acts like a standard Prius, retaining normal hybrid functionality. For comparison, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt can travel up to about 40 miles on electric power before its gas engine, which serves as a sort of onboard generator for the electric motors, kicks in.

Big fuel economy numbers in prototype tests

Early reports based on reviewers' time spent with Prius PHV prototypes say that it can achieve fuel economy in the 60 to 80 mpg range. ConsumerSearch is among the outlets that were able to drive the car for an extended period of time [], and over a week, our own observed average fuel economy was 65 mpg. EPA fuel economy estimates will not be released until the final production version of the car is ready; Toyota is collecting data from all the prototypes in the test fleet and may make additional tweaks in the meantime. As with any vehicle -- hybrid or otherwise -- real-world fuel economy will depend on the type of driving you do: If you take short trips and plug-in frequently, you could run mostly on electric power, greatly reducing your fuel consumption.

Otherwise, most sources indicate that the plug-in Prius will be nearly the same as the regular Prius. The exterior will be the same, save for the additional door that covers the electrical plug, as will the interior. This is likely a good thing, as the Prius is the best reviewed hybrid on the market for its reliability and comfortable ride. Expect the driving experience to be the same too – one early drive by Car and Driver says that users should expect "the way-overboosted electric power steering and a brake pedal that has yet to deliver anything close to accuracy," alluding to the Prius' numb driving style. Overall, however, reviewers like the Prius for its isolated, quiet cabin, even though they may not find the driving particularly fun.

Orders start Spring 2012 in 15 states

Expect the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid to be priced about $3,000 to $5,000 more than the regular Prius, according to Toyota. Consumer orders can be placed for delivery of the 2012 Prius PHV in spring 2012.

The 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrid will only be available in 15 states at the start: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

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Our Sources

1. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver drove an early version of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. This article provides a detailed explanation of the differences between the regular Prius and the plug-in version. The reviewer notes that the Prius Plug-In Hybrid drives just like the regular Prius, which is to say it delivers a nice ride but is not involving in any way. The article ends by considering what the technology means for the marketplace and for Toyota.

Review: 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid – First Drive Review, Steve Siler, April 2010

2. CBS New York

This reviewer from CBS New York spent a brief amount of time with a Prius Plug-In Hybrid. He also found that it drives very much like the regular Prius, but that the added weight from the larger batteries was noticeable in the form of a slightly more jittery rear suspension.

Review: 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In: Driven, Steve Siler, April 13, 2011

3. The Truth About Cars

This particular reviewer samples a Prius Plug-In Hybrid that is in a car sharing fleet. Driving impressions are limited and could be more comprehensive, but the author describes the plug-in hybrid technology and potential pitfalls in real world driving. The reviewer finds the handling to be nearly identical to the regular Prius.

Review: Quick Review: Toyota Prius Plug-In, Edward Niedermeyer, Feb 28, 2011

4. Autoblog.com

This short piece discusses expected delivery dates and information for the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. It outlines which states it will be available in, and how the order process works.

Review: Toyota Plug-In Prius Reservations Start on Earth Day (Sorry, Hawaii), Sebastian Blanco, April 20, 2011

5. AutoblogGreen.com

This quick AutoblogGreen.com entry summarizes the experience that Edmunds Inside Line blog has with the Prius Plug-In Hybrid. After traveling for about 500 miles total, the team at Inside Line achieved 62 mpg.

Review: Inside Line Puts Plug-in Prius to the Test, Hits 62 mpg, Payback Period at Least 215K Miles, Eric Loveday, June 28, 2010

6. ConsumerSearch.com

ConsumerSearch automotive editor Alex Nunez spends a week driving a pre-production Prius PHV. He charged it via solar power at GE Energy's new solar charging facility and plugged it in at home the rest of the time. He finds that the charging time estimates are exactly in line with Toyota's claims and it averages 65 mpg over 178 miles driving. He says that other than the improved fuel economy and plug-in capability, it's just like any other Prius.

Review: Solar Charging at GE with a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Alex Nunez, June 1, 2011

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