I was experiencing “range anxiety” on the Tesla Model 3, even though I was still a good 18 months out on actually getting one. I also had concerns with how far I would have to travel to get it serviced and repaired, especially if any auto body repairs were needed.
Goodbye Tesla, hello Prius Prime. Plugs into a 120V (GFCI) outlet in my garage. Negatives: No significant savings on electricity because the vehicle gets really great mileage and our electric rates are steep-- .20 per kWh level 1, .28 per kWh level 2 (5.5 hours to fully charge from 0.) The range in EV mode is only about 20 miles but this is sufficient for my wife and my daily driving habits. Only a 2-person back seat. Small trunk space. Positives: my wife LOVES the car. Federal and State tax incentives. Factory rebate. Dealer was more inclined to do an invoice (plus) deal on the Advantage model because wasn’t turning as quickly as the Premium due to the additional $4,000 MSRP price versus the Premium.
If any of you have plugin hybrids would love to hear from you!
Please keep us informed of your ownership experience as it develops. I’ll be in the market for another vehicle sometime in the coming year.
We purchased a Volvo hybrid plug-in this year. Much, much bigger vehicle than the Prius. Range is less than yours but for errand runs to the grocery store and such, it works fine on 100% electric for us or we can switch to a mode for longer trips that improves MPG overall.
For our next new vehicle I want something smaller so the Prius would be worth considering.
We live in a very high electrical rate state so it’s less for cost savings and more for doing our bit on the environmental front.
I am jealous. I just bought a used 2015 Prius but considered a new plugin. If I didn’t have the cost of my D’s college looming I would have bit the bullet. (We have a 2009 Prius too, love the gas mileage)
You cannot go wrong with your purchase of the 2015, mamom . Perfect time to get one used. Only 2 years old and you get it for a lot less than a new one.
Toyota Prius has had stellar ratings over time. Impeccable. The Prius Prime is basically an EV that becomes a Prius Hybrid after 22 miles. Toyota had also previously done a plugin in select states, so they were not newcomers.
Pros:
50 miles of electric range
No range anxiety due to gas engine acting as a backup power source for long-distance driving
Rides well
Easy infotainment system
Cons:
Hard to see out
Hard to get in and out
Tight cabin, with meager rear-seat space
No running cost advantage over a Toyota Prius when gas is $2/gallon
Long charge times
Predicted reliability is 1/5
Owner Satisfaction 5/5
Road Test 70/100
Pros:
Can drive on electric power for more than 20 miles
Quiet and no emissions in full-electric mode
Charges in 5 hours on 120V, so no need for a 240V connector
Qualifies for a $4,500 federal tax incentive
Gets access to HOV lanes (high-occupancy vehicle) in some states with just a driver
Cons:
Less fuel-efficient than regular Prius in hybrid mode
Seats only four
Has no rear wiper
Convoluted, distracting infotainment screen in Premium and Advanced models
Cold weather and high power demands kick the Prime out of electric-only operation
Predicted reliability is 4/5
Predicted Owner Satisfaction 4/5
Road Test 74/100
It’s interesting that predicted reliability and owner satisfaction are so disparate for the Volt. One would think reliability would have a big influence on owner satisfaction.
CR’s reliability survey and owner satisfaction survey are both based on responses to surveys of CR subscribers who own (or lease) the cars in question (filling in the survey includes both the questions about what needs to be fixed and the satisfaction questions).
Right. Exactly. Reliability is measured by a random set of questions. Satisfaction comes from the heart. I think my house is 100% crap (garage needs new siding, MB toilet is junk, kitchen is in need of repainting, etc.), but I love it to pieces.
“Predicted Reliability: Our extensive survey data, combined with our technical knowledge, allows us to expertly predict the reliability of new and redesigned models.”
My husband has a Ford Fusion hybrid plug in which just plugs into a regular garage plug. IIRC the electric only range is about 16 miles. His commute is 3 miles each way.
That range is for Perfect World scenarios. We get bitter cold in the winter and the gas engine has to come on in order to warm the cabin.
Long distance highway driving is in the low 40’s MPG. We live in a rural area so the Tesla range anxiety was running high in this house. Having the gas engine calms me down. Additionally we don’t have to worry about where to plug in overnight if we go away for the weekend.
We live in the SF Bay Area so excessively cold weather isn’t a concern. One of my concerns, however, is HEAT. My garage can reach temps in the low 100s during the summer months. That was another reason why a Tesla all-electric vehicle concerned me. Even though there is a fan that will come on when the main battery senses temps when they reach 102, I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with potential diminished battery performance. (The accessory batteries seem to be doing okay in our vehicles during the 5 plus years in our home but are a different battery type from one that powers the wheels of an EV.)
