There are two trim level choices for the 2021 Toyota Prius that come with the company’s electric-based all-wheel drive system, or AWD-e. This makes the Prius a more practical vehicle for drivers who frequently travel through snowy or icy weather, where having all-wheel drive can be useful. Many purchasers who might have passed on past versions that prioritized the front-wheel drive now find the Prius to be a more alluring alternative thanks to the advent of an all-wheel drive option. However, there are only two trim level choices that offer all-wheel drive, and they differ slightly in cost and features. No matter whatever trim level you select, you can anticipate finding many of the equipment and driving aids that customers want, even at such a low cost. This comprises:
- road signs help
- Auto-high beams
- Blind-spot observation
- Alerts for rear cross traffic
- Warning for lane deviation
- Autonomous cruise control
- Emergency braking on demand
In This Article...
The Toyota Prius’s snow-handling capabilities
The Toyota Prius is not one of the best cars to drive in the snow. It can, however, travel through light snow fairly well. When outfitted with effective snow gear, the Prius can handle up to 3 inches of snow and has a 5.3-inch ground clearance.
Does a Prius have front- or all-wheel drive?
Only two 2021 Prius modelsLE AWD-e and XLE AWD-einclude all trim levels from the Prius and Prius Prime. Starting at $27,135, the LE AWD-e variant has a 51/47/49 mpg rating. The XLE AWD-e is rated 51/47/49 and has a starting price of $29,575 as well. The only AWD trims are the L Eco, 2020 Edition, and Limited. The LE, XLE, and Limited grades of the 2021 Prius Prime are also all FWD-only vehicles.
What is AWD-e?
The 2021 Prius’s AWD-e system combines conventional FWD with a 5.7kW rear-wheel electric motor to deliver AWD when it’s required. When AWD is engaged, a conventional AWD linkage system transfers about 20% of the car’s power to the back wheels through a full-length driveshaft. Direct power is dynamically sent to the back axle by the AWD-e electric motor. This results in reduced power loss and rapid torque when it is required. The AWD-e system can travel up to 43 mph, which makes it ideal for safely accelerating from an ice stop or navigating on slick metropolitan streets.
How is the Prius propelled?
The “e” stands for “electric,” hence the Toyota all-wheel drive system is known as AWD-e. Both the front-to-rear driveshaft and the central differential are absent. In order to preserve higher fuel efficiency, it incorporates a separate, magnet-free electric motor that only drives the back wheels when necessary.
What drawbacks come with owning a Toyota Prius?
1. Riding Comfort
The 2018 Toyota Prius features a firm ride quality, which is perhaps its major flaw. The tires are undoubtedly made to provide decent mileage rather than to cushion every bump on the road. Even the Prius c hatchback is a little more pleasant than the standard Prius, which can be very bumpy when driving over even the slightest amount of bad road topography.
2. Slow Accumulation
The Prius is not particularly good at accelerating. Although the Prius can accelerate reasonably well compared to other cars in its class, it is designed for fuel efficiency rather than cruising at high speeds. You may need to think about purchasing a totally new vehicle if you want something with a little more oomph.
3. Subpar interior components
The Toyota Prius has this drawback with some of Toyota’s other contemporary models. The inside has the appearance of being made with inferior materials. The cloth upholstery and several of the knobs and buttons appear to be prone to wear and tear with time, even though nothing appears to be about to break at any second.
4. Loud Cabin While Highway Speeds
There is no mistaking it: this car is not silent! When trying to get the Toyota Prius to travel beyond 55 miles per hour on the highway, you will have to put up with a lot of road, wind, and engine noise in addition to its stiff ride quality. The engine frequently complains when the car is pressed to move fast, and the cabin appears to lack the necessary insulation to keep part of the outside noise out.
How it compares to the opposition:
With its 58 mpg fuel efficiency, which is unquestionably best-in-class for this year, the 2018 Hyundai Inoiq Hybrid is a top-tier rival for the Prius. The Ioniq, on the other hand, is less roomy and has a smaller plug-in range.
Despite having a lower fuel economy than previous models, the 2018 Honda Civic Hybrid performs well on highways and in cities. The Civic is quite roomy and has a ton of safety equipment.
Overall, the 2018 Toyota Prius is a roomy, very fuel-efficient vehicle. The Prius is still one of the top hybrid sales performers due to its focus on fuel efficiency, even if it will need to step it up in 2019 to compete with newer hybrid models from other automakers.
How far can a Prius travel?
A Toyota Prius owner may anticipate getting between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their vehicle with routine maintenance, with some owners exceeding the 300,000-mile milestone and still going strong. The Prius has a well-established history of dependable service for more than two decades as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.
Can a Prius start in the cold?
Battery life is negatively impacted by cold air, as anyone with a smartphone can attest. The Prius, however, differs from a phone in that it has an engine and exhaust fumes as its own heat source.
Toyota claims that the exhaust heat recirculation system of the automobile enables the heater and hybrid system to be warmed by the heat from the exhaust gases.
However, it should be noted that if you tend to venture outside in extremely cold weather, the Prius owner’s manual warns that “it may not be possible to start the hybrid system when the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (below approximately minus 22 degrees Farenheit [minus 30 degrees Celsius]). In this instance, consider restarting the hybrid system once the battery temperature has risen as a result of rising outside temperatures, etc.
The automobile has been left outside all night in temps as low as 15 F during my testing, with the coldest starting temperature being 21 F. I regret not having had the opportunity to explore the Prius’ lesser capabilities. What I did observe is that the Prius began to operate right away, and the gas engine began to operate nearly quickly to help the climate control system. The Prius Eco started on warmer days with a high temperature of 52 F and ran in electric mode for a while before switching to the gasoline engine.
How can I improve the performance of my Prius in the snow?
It’s crucial that all four wheels have snow or ice tires. The Prius may be able to drive more effectively with only two up front, but stopping and control are unlikely to significantly improve. Retain proper tire inflation at all times, regardless of the season, to maintain maximum efficiency.
Does a Prius’s gas mileage suffer in cold weather?
Fueleconomy.gov claims that temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce a hybrid car’s fuel efficiency by between 30 to 34%. If your Toyota Prius typically gets around 50 mpg, you will now have to make do with a more typical 33 mpg average. That’s still not that horrible, to be honest, but it’s a sizable hit.
We recently drove a 2021 Toyota Venza for a week in a climate where the outside air temperature was consistently between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit as an example from home. Although it isn’t quite the pre-described 20 cold weather zone, it had the desired effect on the car’s total fuel economy. In the end, we were able to achieve an average of 33 mpg as opposed to the combined driving estimate of 39 mpg from the EPA.
When did Prius introduce AWD?
Yes, it does. In fact, it already has as of the 2019 model year. To add a second electric motor to the actual axle and add 7 horsepower and 40 pounds-feet of torque to the front-wheel-drive Prius, owners must choose an AWD model (Toyota refers to it as AWD). However, it also adds weight, with the AWD XLE weighing 145 pounds more than a FWD XLE. AWD vehicles still often use low-rolling-resistance tires (our test vehicle had Bridgestone Ecopia rubber), so don’t anticipate any extreme traction skills despite the additional 0.2 inch of ground clearance. Additionally, the EPA assesses the Prius family’s lowest AWD mileage at 51/47/49 mpg for city/highway/combined, 52 mpg for FWD models, and 56 mpg for the Prius Eco, the most fuel-efficient trim.
How trustworthy is a Prius?
The Toyota Prius has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 10th out of 24 midsize automobiles overall. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $408 average yearly repair cost.
Can a Prius be fitted with winter tires?
The Prius’s low fuel consumption is one of its many wonderful features. The fact that a Prius has thin, low rolling resistance tires contributes to its excellent fuel economy. Low rolling resistance tires offer much less traction, which causes more road slippage even if this boosts miles per gallon. This is especially true when it is snowing or icy outside. The answer? Take your Prius out with snow tires.
- The Prius is a front-wheel drive vehicle, which means that more than 60% of its weight is up front. This enables greater control on slick surfaces, yet snow tires are strongly advised due to the low rolling resistance tires.
Why is insurance for Prius so expensive?
Due to their higher value, hybrid vehicles generally cost extra to cover with insurance providers. The cost of purchasing the most recent hybrid technology remains high. Your insurance will have to pay more if your automobile is stolen or totaled.
A hybrid may cost more to insure for a variety of reasons, including the costlier parts. As a result, the cost of repair will be higher if the car is damaged.
According to CDG Insurance, if you drive one of the fuel-efficient versions, you are seen as a higher-risk driver because the average damage claim for hybrids is substantially greater.
The driving habits of hybrid drivers are another factor that could make auto insurance more expensive. The main reason people buy a hybrid car is to save money and fuel during rush hour. As a result, they are more likely to travel farther and in heavier traffic.
Of course, there are further factors to consider as to why a hybrid will cost you extra to insure:
- Due to their reduced road noise, hybrids have a higher risk of collisions with pedestrians or cyclists.
- hybrid vehicles get more miles per gallon because to cheaper gas prices.
- Smaller hybrid city cars are built with more delicate materials than SUVs.
- There aren’t many hybrid cars on the road. Owning a hybrid is less popular than it might be, therefore you will have to pay for specialized services. Americans continue to have doubts about how safe and dependable hybrid vehicles are.
- Due to the necessity for specialized mechanics as well as greater part pricing, astronomical repairs are more expensive. Even aftermarket components are costly since there is less demand.