The 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid comes to us in the last years of the current generation, offering the most fuel-efficient version of the Liftback model you can buy. Styling is familiar as the Prius has been the best selling hybrid car on the planet. They’re everywhere.
Styling for the Plug-in Hybrid is virtually identical to the Prius Liftback with exception of unique 10-spoke alloy wheels, a unique hatch and badging, as well as additional chrome on door handles and grille. Up front are blue-accent headlamps and LED taillights are found at the rear.
A key difference is the additional flip door on the rear passenger side where you can plug it in for an additional 10-11 miles of electric vehicle mode. The Prius Plug-in has a higher capacity lithium-ion battery that affords this additional range when charged.
As the Prius Plug-in Hybrid starts at the mid-level Prius 3 trim grade, they come well equipped. Our test was a top-line Advanced trim grade which means it came with the very leather like SofTex seat trim, Head Up Display, and many other tech features.
The cabin even today remains futuristic in design and remains fresh to the eye. Fit and finish is good, though there are a number of hard plastics about. Switchgear quality is well in keeping with its price however and most well within easy reach while on the go.
Its Entune suite of applications through the center mounted touchscreen infotainment system offer a myriad of connectivity options and navigation all with well laid out menus. A nice balance of touchscreen and hard controls make it easy to pick up when new to the car.
Sound from the JBL Green Edge audio system is reasonably good, though not as symphonic as you would think for it being the top of the line system.
Seating is comfortable up front and in the back. Toyota’s SofTex trim is almost nicer than leather in some ways, being cooler to the touch in hot weather. Both front seats are heated and power adjustable in our Advanced model.
Rear seat passengers in the Plug-in Hybrid will enjoy the same level of legroom and space as the standard Prius Liftback as the higher capacity battery doesn’t take additional space from the interior.
Under the hood of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the same 1.8 liter Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine and Hybrid Synergy Drive system found in other Prius models. It has a total system horsepower of 134 when gasoline and electric motors are combined.
The EPA rates the Prius Plug-in Hybrid at 95 MPGe in electric mode and 50 combined city and highway mpg hybrid mode. A blended EV and Hybrid mode MPG isn’t issued because that depends on how many miles you drive on EV versus hybrid mode.
With 11 miles of EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph, you can drive like an electric car until the battery requires the gasoline engine to begin powering the car. At that point the Prius Plug-in operates like a standard hybrid.
In our case we charged it every night and drove about 40 miles a day. Thus about 30 miles per day on average were in hybrid mode, 10 miles a day EV mode. In our week with the Prius Plug-in we achieved a tank average of 62 mpg.
It’s power is adequate for around town and highway driving, but won’t excite you much with a kick in the back when pushed. In fact, it can be a bit harsh and noisy if you do, a trait amplified by its constantly variable transmission.
Ride and handling of the Prius Plug-in is very similar to the Prius Liftback, but feels slightly heavier due to its additional 154 lbs. It’s no sports car in terms of curvy road handling with its low rolling resistance tires, but rides firm enough on the highway to feel confident.
Based on 2014 model tests, the Toyota Prius Liftback is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ because it achieves an acceptable rating on the small overlap crash test and good on the others. It also offers a crash prevention system as part of an option package.
Pricing of the Prius Plug-in starts at $29,990 but our Advanced model with options came in at $36,575 including destination fees. As stated earlier we achieved 62 mpg combined in our drive cycle on a tank of gas.
Scoring the Prius Plug-in, high points were the interior and technology features. Areas achieving less applause were its somewhat rough power-train which can be coarse under acceleration and its less than responsive chassis dynamics.
In all, it achieved 4 out of 5 starts for the week.
