@Jar Head For out-of-warranty cars, you've got two choices: replace the battery, or the car. The unit cost of a Toyota Prius battery pack is between $2,300 and $2,590, depending on the model you have. Installation of a new pack is likely to cost you more. Prius batteries are warranted for 10 years or 150,000 miles in California-compliance states and eight years or 100,000 miles in non-California compliant state. Batteries last about 12 to 15 years (the oldest Prius cars on the road are now 20 years old).
@@whathappenswhen4767 Replacing only defective cells means you still have old cells in the car which most likely will fail sooner then later. Which is why after 10+ years replacing the whole "battery" or all of the "cells" is advisable if you plan on keeping the car.
eAWD in Prius is an excellent idea. It will be a good option for taxi drivers in Europe. Prius is already popular, now it will be more winter ready. The e-motor in the rear is strong enough to make a difference during the winter months in the cities.
I must admit I'm impressed with the low-speed usefulness of this eAWD system, but the RAV4 Hybrid, with its 8.1 inches (20.6 cm) of ground clearance, is still the obvious choice for those who genuinely care about having useful AWD for inclement weather and off-roading. Still, this is extremely compelling to someone who, like me, values fuel efficiency above all else.
Great explanation of how the eCVT functions. Most motoring journalists miss this crucial point with respect to efficiency, maintenance cost and reliability.
I just bought one of these to replace a quickly deteriorating Legacy. Even though it is a smaller car it was able to handle a 55" TV in the box with ease. It fits all our golf clubs and the eAWD makes it handle a bit better. It will be interesting to see how it handles once winter arrives. The Outback will be replaced soon by a RAV4 hybrid but right now the price premium and the high-interest rates make it an expensive option.
Well, I'm impressed by your taste and judgment. Next year Toyota's Kentucky plant will also produce RAV4 Hybrids so that ought to help supply meet demand.
@@cadsux it will be noticably smaller than the Forester if you regularly pack the Forester to the gills. I would suggest the RAV4 hybrid if you need the passenger and cargo capacity.
FYI, I got cheap interest on our recently purchased RAV hybrid. 2.9%. That isn't zero percent, but I didn't think it was outrageous at all. Also got two grand + off sticker easily.
I am the first owner of my Prius AWD XLE 2020. I came back from Winthrop, WA in Apr 2022. On my way to Beaver Lake Trailhead from Winthrop in the morning, my car was able to traverse onto deep snow mountain zone where no other car has been to. My car was the ONLY car leaving tracks behind. Part of the reason was my car was so light, and it literally floated on trimmed snow road. There was this steep slope and my car could not make it through. Time to stop and snowshoe. So I decided to be nice and parked on the side of the road. Little did I know, the side of the road was not trimmed/condensed, so the left side of my car sunk into the snow. I could not get it out. So I started to snowshoe all the way back to State Highway 20 to seek help. Later two local families I met on the way tried to help. But their GMC Denali HD got stuck in the snow WAY BEFORE my car did. Part of the reason was the day got warmer as afternoon set in. So we managed to push the truck out of the snow and walked to my car on foot. We finally pushed my car out of the snow, which took a lot less effort than pushing the truck out of snow. Then we drove and pushed and drove and pushed and finally got my Prius out of the snowy mountain zone. All in all, I was impressed by my 2020 Prius AWD XLE. It did better in the snow than GMC Denali HD the 4WD heavy duty truck did.
Our front wheel drive Prius does really well in snow and ice with a set of Yokohama iG52c tires installed. I have a set of steel wheels with the Yokos mounted...easy swap come winter.
Thanks for the review. I’ve owned several Prius’s which have been fantastic cars. When my Prius dies I would consider the 2019 Rav4 hybrid over a Prius
We own both. A 2018 Prius and a 2019 Rav hybrid. The RAV is a lot faster 0-60. The Prius nets about 10 mpg better overall. I only got the RAV over a second Prius because I wanted something that could tow a small trailer and had more cargo space, as well as a 2" receiver hitch to haul multiple bikes. I actually like the Prius a little better, though. Better visibility, and I like smaller vehicles. The RAV drives bigger than what it is. Visibility is mediocre, harder to see the ends when parking, etc.
Several ? These cars can last a very long time. No meed to own several. Why waste money trading them in every two or three years. What a mug. Id rather spend my money on property than having the newer registration. More fool you.
Thanks for all of your helpful information!! You’re so efficient with your words, and it’s a fun way to learn about the differences between the hybrids 👏🏼
Alex, Well done! There are few people who can publicly debate themselves with such conviction and drama.😉 If I may be permitted to interrupt your debate for a moment, there are a couple of points I would like to interject. On the subject of tires, a 195 width will surely offer improved fuel efficiency which is the whole point of a Prius. Secondly, the fact you enthusiastically campaign for winter tires in the middle of the summer is a commendable public service which much be acknowledged. TMC's new E-AWD system is such a clever upgrade in traction with such a minor price/fuel consumption penalty that it will surely spread to other lines. Undoubtedly our European cousins are waiting in breathless anticipation for an E-AWD option for their Hybrid Corolla wagons. To answer your question, the combination of outstanding mpg and reasonable towing capacity of the RAV4 LE Hybrid would put it on top of my list.😁
Toyota should expand the availability of the hybrid system on the Corolla. Right now to protect the Prius, the hybrid is only offered on the lower trim of the Corolla, which is a pity. If the Prius days are numbered then so be it. It has done its job, and a fantastic one at that, since it's introduction two decades ago.
At 21:30 I heard you say that there is about 8 MPG difference in real world driving between the Prius and the RAV4. Agreed...unless there is wind. We live in Wyoming where there could be sustained headwinds of 40+ mph to drive against at 75-80 mph. The Prius-RAV4 MPG difference in western desert communities would be well over 10mpg...maybe even closer to 15mpg if there is a huge wind storm. The Prius sits lower and has a much more aero design to combat head winds. People should think about whether wind plays a factor in their area. I find myself saying this is the best option and will pay for itself over the life of the vehicle. Low ground clearance for snow is the only drawback...but how often will that be, especially in city driving? Thanks for this video!
I have a 4 year old prius, and I get 68 to 100mpg, I have got as high as 150mpg depending on how Hot it is outside. My friend has driving school, and he drove 400kms with the new prius and he was averaging 144mpg. It maybe rated at 50 mpg, but it can go much higher at the right times.
I'd have to test on snow and ice versus non eAWD with same tires. I still think this eAWD is pretty much a gimick! If you buy a Prius, obviously you're interested in fuel economy, the eAWD has a noticeable impact on fuel economy and the reality is for folks living above the the snowbelt, they are going to swap to winter tires, in which case the eAWD is really not going to provide that much extra traction. Interesting that Toyota decided upon a 195 size for this model, the narrower width will provide better traction in wet/snow/ice. Wider tires have better road handling, but you are going to take a hit in the traction department. Some of us winter drivers will down size our winter tires versus our summer/all season ones.
5:47 The electric motor will engage in the rear if it senses a traction loss up front, or it *predicts* a traction loss up front. This eAWD system is likely part of Toyota's VDIM (vehicle dynamics integrated management) system, which can react to traction loss, or predict a traction loss and react before a slip occurs.
Personal annoyance, you cannot get a sunroof in the eAWD XLE. Yet you can in the normal XLE, which means a sunroof is entirely unavailable in the eAWD model...
Lots of good comments. Prius would have sold more all these years if it had not had such "unpleasant" styling. Now that Toyota and other companies are perfecting hybrid systems there are many alternatives to the Prius. This AWD version makes sense for people that endure harsh snowy and icy winters, so sales may be good in northern US and Canada, but for many folks a hybrid RAV4 or the coming hybrid CR-V are more suited for serious winter weather.
One reason sales are down is because of very good all electric cars with no emissions. Now they can have good range too. They mostly are all wheel drive I believe also
Sounds like if you prefer MPG over AWD, then think Prius, but if you want AWD over MPG, then think RAV4. I would get the Toyota RAV 4 if I had to chose between AWD prius and AWD RAV4 because RAV4 has better AWD and storage space plus the RAV4 is already getting over 40 miles per gallon which is incredible for a NON-plugin vehicle
Buying for the MPG, storage and people capacity, since the new prius prime can hold up to 5 people including the driver. But if you are carrying more than 1 big suitcase (the ones that need to be checked in), forget it. The prius prime can only hold 1 big suitcase and 1 carry-on. If it was just carry-on, maybe 3
@@EONEILL1987 They probably didn't want any competition among in-house models. The US has the Highlander and Sequoia. An AWD lifted third-row Prius would've smoked them in every way but horsepower.
I would definitely go for the RAV4, more practical, more space and more capable. Over the past few year the weather is not getting any better, so the more capable vehicle is the one to chose!
I just got the Michelin Cross climate they are REAL all season tires on my Prius and it helped out with everything ride, breaking, and acceleration. I had the Michelin defender.
Really bad argument for the Rav4 at the end. If you want a hybrid for the gas mileage, your going to take the 20 extra miles per gallon in the Prius even if the Rav4 hybrid gets 10 miles more than a regular Rav4. If you want an suv that can go off-road a little bit with high ground clearance, than that is the argument for the Rav4.
It isn't a 20 mpg difference. I say this because we own a 2018 Prius and a 2019 RAV4 hybrid. The Prius gets about 10 mpg better in overall driving, not even close to a 20 mpg delta. The RAV gets low 40's, Prius low 50s. The Prius hauls a lot less and is a relative slug compared to the RAV, which feels very spry. Ground clearance, no doubt, RAV wins hands down.
Agreed. Toyota watered the styling down because Americans are conservative when it comes to car styling and can't handle things out of the box of normalcy.
I appreciate Alex covering this car. However, I have no clue why this car exists in its current form. Recent 2019 sales have shown YoY decline for the Prius model and I think it's two-fold. 1. Is the Corolla hybrid on the low end. 2. Is the Tesla Model 3 on the high end. With those two anchor points, some might say this finds a middle ground but it doesn't do any one thing well. The Corolla has more palatable styling and price. The Tesla Model 3 is a BEV with performance. I think all Prius models need to now be PHEV standard and the Prime trim needs to be a limited range BEV.
Hi Alex Heard whether Toyota is considering doing an e-AWD version of the Camry Hybrid?? That’d be a nice larger hybrid for us northerners. Thank for another comprehensive 1st look.
The Prius is a great car to drive. Ive got a Cooper S at the moment for the foreseeable future, but long term I have a choice of various makes and models depending on what my lifestyle requirements may be in a year or two when I buy somewhere new to live. If its somewhere rural id get an AWD car, probably a Subaru but if I have a few miles to commute, id go for economy. He says he got 48 mpg average, thats poor. I got 85mpg on mixed roads over a 160 mile route the other week, and although it was the non AWD model id expect him to do a lot better but then again, maybe he was at a higher altitude.
Great review as always Alex. I must say I wish Toyota would add a bit of power to some versions of the Prius. I know one could just buy something else, but I love the utilitarian ability of my 2008, (even the handling is better than most suv's). I'd gladly give up 5 mpg to have a bit more power. One could argue that it would make the car even heavier, or, if upping the ICE capacity, more pollution, but it would still be vary efficient.
I really wish Toyota would have this eAWD in their top Limited trim. I would buy this... if it had Apple Car Play/Android Auto and a sunroof. I'm not going to spend this money without those features.
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid comparison? Although more of a direct competitor to the RAV4 hybrid, it felt weird that Alex didn't even mention the Subaru. (Although last time I checked it was not available for purchase at dealers yet...)
That Crosstrek is a plug-in hybrid, using a system borrowed from the Prius Prime. The EV range is 17 miles, 35 mpg. Also, it's priced up to $37,000, which is over $4000 more than the top trim Prius awd-e.
Cross trek hybrid reviews I've seen it has mechanical AWD which is better performance but heavier so you get worse MPG. And I would imagine e-awd fear axle wouldn't need different fluid changes where Subaru rear did would. It's a matter of personal preference. I only do light offroading and winter driving so 2019 Toyota AWD fits my needs.
i like the new toyota rav4 hybrid, and the new 2021 venza. would love to see how the venza awd stacks up. supposed to be slightly more premium than the rav4
I call this the "Gutter Nudge" awd system. It has just enough power to nudge you out of the gutter. But with the nimh battery, doesn't it discharge slower than lithium batteries? Even worse, won't the additional regeneration energy from the additional motor be too much for the battery?
Could you do a AWD test on rollers? I'd like to see how the e-AWD behaves in worst case conditions like both from and one rear wheels slipping (basically only one wheel has traction).
"if you wanted to fold down those rear seats . . ." Yeah, we'd like if you did that and showed us what it looks like back there. Without any roller bags or other stuff obscuring the view.
I don’t care if this car have all wheel drive or not. The main reason this generation Prius’s sale is plummeted is because the exterior is too ugly compare to other hybrid competitors like Honda Insight .
I certainly wouldn't go with huyndai because of crappy quality and reliability. As far as off-road capabilities go, I have two 4Runners (2004 and 2018) so I am buying this for long travel on normal roads that may be icy and covered with snow but nothing extreme. I am convinced - and many videos on youtube prove me right - that even 7HP drive to rear wheels will make the car more stable and less likely to get stuck. I am not familiar with RAV4 AWD but I did have a honda CRV that was an absolute joke. Incidentally, it was the last honda I will ever buy - junk, junk, junk.
Why prius losing sales= Camry Hybrid gets 52 mpg in a 200+ hp car, Rav4 has awd clearance and more power, and Corolla hybrid is less money than prius with same mileage with all vehicles not having that aweful MFT screen in the center or funky styling, or funky shifter.
Just reading the title shows that now a lot of thought was put into it. "Most efficient AWD Car in America?" How about the Tesla Model 3, (as well as X and S)
not only that, but other car companies are now competing pretty hard in the hybrid market, such as the Chevy volt, ford cmax, hyundai ionic, kia, ect...
I had a 2018 Prius Model 2. It had a lot of buzzes and rattles inside. The most irritating was a subtle, but noticeable zizz in the B pillar at highway speed. The noises would come and go, and would move to different places. The dealer could never resolve them. I've heard from other 2016 - 2018 Prius owners who noticed the same sounds. I was so irritated with it that I got rid of the car and got a used 2015 Prius C. That car has interior noises, too. But, I don't care as much since it's a $10K car instead of a $26K car.
Thanks for the idea. But, I bought this one off the lot with only 9 miles on it. So, I think it came from the factory that way. I've owned 4 Toyotas over the years and they've all had some interior noise. I'm convinced they cannot make a car that doesn't rattle somewhere.
I love the fuel economy and capability but it’s just too slow for my taste. I can’t live with 9-10 seconds 0-60. I do a lot of highway driving and sometimes have to get aggressive while merging
@@whathappenswhen4767 They're rated 9.7 seconds 0-60 on multiple sites and took one for a test drive last year. It was painful acceleration and unsafe on highways.
Unsafe on the highway? 10 seconds is not that slow and should be unsafe on the highway because of that. In Europe there are plenty of cars that to 0 to 60 in twice are long.
Camry Hybrids are almost at Lexus level of refinement while being priced like a Toyota and getting pretty much the same MPG as this. No reason to buy Prius anymore I'm afraid
Barath Vedant I disagree I have a 2016 Prius and I can haul a lot more in it. My bike fits in the back entirely put together. Just depends what you’re wanting!
Every time Toyota introduces a new generation Prius I throw up in my mouth a little over the styling. Then several years pass and I get used to it...Just in time for Toyota to repeat the pattern. This new generation leans away from the 1930's Flash Gordon spaceship styling of the last generation so my initial reaction is somewhat less negative. As far as the eAWD system is concerned I'm torn between seeing its value in winter climates slightly more challenging than the US sunbelt and thinking it's little more than a marketing gimmick. As someone who lives in the Seattle area, I'll give Toyota the benefit of the doubt and lean toward the former. At least it doesn't impose the usual 200-250 lb weight penalty of most AWD systems and might convince some fence sitting consumers to opt for a Prius. Nevertheless, if the Prius didn't enjoy its iconic status for hyper-milers I doubt Toyota would introduce it as a new model today. In 2018 the entire Prius line-up accounted for fewer than 88,000 sales in the US. That's not a terrible sales record for many brands but for Toyota it's meager. The last year Toyota sold fewer Priuses was 2005! And over the first five months of 2019, sales have continued to decline compared to 2108. I suspect that Toyota weighed the PR hit of discontinuing the Prius and decided to stretch its life for at least another year or two. Perhaps for 2020 Toyota will finally make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the eAWD system. For Prius fans it might not be too late.
![The Most Efficient AWD Vehicle In America [That Runs On Gasoline] | 2021 Toyota Prius AWD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Fub8AdysmI/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Most Efficient AWD Vehicle In America [That Runs On Gasoline] | 2021 Toyota Prius AWD](/img/tr.png)
I love your “no BS” review style. I was shopping for a car for over a year and your format made it really easy to compare models. Thanks!
Proud owner of a 16 Prius. 55mpg average. 70k miles. Zero issues. Stores a ton. Great car.
Nice man. You’re saving a ton!!
@Jar Head For out-of-warranty cars, you've got two choices: replace the battery, or the car. The unit cost of a Toyota Prius battery pack is between $2,300 and $2,590, depending on the model you have. Installation of a new pack is likely to cost you more.
Prius batteries are warranted for 10 years or 150,000 miles in California-compliance states and eight years or 100,000 miles in non-California compliant state. Batteries last about 12 to 15 years (the oldest Prius cars on the road are now 20 years old).
my 16 prius averages 65MPG maybe you are driving like a maniac
@Jar Head you are an idiot. you dont replace the battery, you replace Cells. Shows how much you know
@@whathappenswhen4767 Replacing only defective cells means you still have old cells in the car which most likely will fail sooner then later. Which is why after 10+ years replacing the whole "battery" or all of the "cells" is advisable if you plan on keeping the car.
eAWD in Prius is an excellent idea. It will be a good option for taxi drivers in Europe. Prius is already popular, now it will be more winter ready. The e-motor in the rear is strong enough to make a difference during the winter months in the cities.
As a Toyota fan: This is the car I want bro.
We went with a 2016 RAV4 hybrid i-awd. No recalls. We still love it today.
I must admit I'm impressed with the low-speed usefulness of this eAWD system, but the RAV4 Hybrid, with its 8.1 inches (20.6 cm) of ground clearance, is still the obvious choice for those who genuinely care about having useful AWD for inclement weather and off-roading. Still, this is extremely compelling to someone who, like me, values fuel efficiency above all else.
They are both very, very solid choices.
The visibility in the RAV4 is horrible. The Prius is much better. I just wish they made a Crosstrek version of the Prius.
Rav 4 is more expensive.
@@dparker2317 it would be perfect for Subaru and Subaru loves camping. Ton of people do Prius camping too.
Great explanation of how the eCVT functions. Most motoring journalists miss this crucial point with respect to efficiency, maintenance cost and reliability.
I just bought one of these to replace a quickly deteriorating Legacy. Even though it is a smaller car it was able to handle a 55" TV in the box with ease. It fits all our golf clubs and the eAWD makes it handle a bit better. It will be interesting to see how it handles once winter arrives. The Outback will be replaced soon by a RAV4 hybrid but right now the price premium and the high-interest rates make it an expensive option.
Well, I'm impressed by your taste and judgment. Next year Toyota's Kentucky plant will also produce RAV4 Hybrids so that ought to help supply meet demand.
Thanks for the info! I was thinking about a practical replacement for my Forester.
@@cadsux it will be noticably smaller than the Forester if you regularly pack the Forester to the gills. I would suggest the RAV4 hybrid if you need the passenger and cargo capacity.
FYI, I got cheap interest on our recently purchased RAV hybrid. 2.9%. That isn't zero percent, but I didn't think it was outrageous at all. Also got two grand + off sticker easily.
Those wheels are ADORABLE
I am the first owner of my Prius AWD XLE 2020. I came back from Winthrop, WA in Apr 2022. On my way to Beaver Lake Trailhead from Winthrop in the morning, my car was able to traverse onto deep snow mountain zone where no other car has been to. My car was the ONLY car leaving tracks behind. Part of the reason was my car was so light, and it literally floated on trimmed snow road. There was this steep slope and my car could not make it through. Time to stop and snowshoe. So I decided to be nice and parked on the side of the road. Little did I know, the side of the road was not trimmed/condensed, so the left side of my car sunk into the snow. I could not get it out. So I started to snowshoe all the way back to State Highway 20 to seek help. Later two local families I met on the way tried to help. But their GMC Denali HD got stuck in the snow WAY BEFORE my car did. Part of the reason was the day got warmer as afternoon set in. So we managed to push the truck out of the snow and walked to my car on foot. We finally pushed my car out of the snow, which took a lot less effort than pushing the truck out of snow. Then we drove and pushed and drove and pushed and finally got my Prius out of the snowy mountain zone. All in all, I was impressed by my 2020 Prius AWD XLE. It did better in the snow than GMC Denali HD the 4WD heavy duty truck did.
Our front wheel drive Prius does really well in snow and ice with a set of Yokohama iG52c tires installed. I have a set of steel wheels with the Yokos mounted...easy swap come winter.
Thanks for the review. I’ve owned several Prius’s which have been fantastic cars. When my Prius dies I would consider the 2019 Rav4 hybrid over a Prius
We own both. A 2018 Prius and a 2019 Rav hybrid. The RAV is a lot faster 0-60. The Prius nets about 10 mpg better overall. I only got the RAV over a second Prius because I wanted something that could tow a small trailer and had more cargo space, as well as a 2" receiver hitch to haul multiple bikes. I actually like the Prius a little better, though. Better visibility, and I like smaller vehicles. The RAV drives bigger than what it is. Visibility is mediocre, harder to see the ends when parking, etc.
Several ? These cars can last a very long time. No meed to own several. Why waste money trading them in every two or three years. What a mug. Id rather spend my money on property than having the newer registration. More fool you.
Thanks for all of your helpful information!! You’re so efficient with your words, and it’s a fun way to learn about the differences between the hybrids 👏🏼
56 degrees in July... I miss the bay area weather. And good on you for driving under PWR mode. hopefully that brings the Prius alive a bit more.
“The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.”
We love your reviews!
Alex, Well done! There are few people who can publicly debate themselves with such conviction and drama.😉 If I may be permitted to interrupt your debate for a moment, there are a couple of points I would like to interject. On the subject of tires, a 195 width will surely offer improved fuel efficiency which is the whole point of a Prius. Secondly, the fact you enthusiastically campaign for winter tires in the middle of the summer is a commendable public service which much be acknowledged. TMC's new E-AWD system is such a clever upgrade in traction with such a minor price/fuel consumption penalty that it will surely spread to other lines. Undoubtedly our European cousins are waiting in breathless anticipation for an E-AWD option for their Hybrid Corolla wagons. To answer your question, the combination of outstanding mpg and reasonable towing capacity of the RAV4 LE Hybrid would put it on top of my list.😁
Japan now has an eAWD option for their Corolla Hybrids.
Toyota should expand the availability of the hybrid system on the Corolla. Right now to protect the Prius, the hybrid is only offered on the lower trim of the Corolla, which is a pity. If the Prius days are numbered then so be it. It has done its job, and a fantastic one at that, since it's introduction two decades ago.
I am sure more Hybrid options are coming from TMC.
Thanks for very thorough review... can’t wait for the RAV4 hybrid review!
At 21:30 I heard you say that there is about 8 MPG difference in real world driving between the Prius and the RAV4. Agreed...unless there is wind. We live in Wyoming where there could be sustained headwinds of 40+ mph to drive against at 75-80 mph. The Prius-RAV4 MPG difference in western desert communities would be well over 10mpg...maybe even closer to 15mpg if there is a huge wind storm. The Prius sits lower and has a much more aero design to combat head winds. People should think about whether wind plays a factor in their area. I find myself saying this is the best option and will pay for itself over the life of the vehicle. Low ground clearance for snow is the only drawback...but how often will that be, especially in city driving? Thanks for this video!
I have a 4 year old prius, and I get 68 to 100mpg, I have got as high as 150mpg depending on how Hot it is outside. My friend has driving school, and he drove 400kms with the new prius and he was averaging 144mpg. It maybe rated at 50 mpg, but it can go much higher at the right times.
As a 'detail' person, very much like this review. Great job. I need 4x4 but in a small car. Toyota should bring back the urban cruiser
I'd have to test on snow and ice versus non eAWD with same tires. I still think this eAWD is pretty much a gimick! If you buy a Prius, obviously you're interested in fuel economy, the eAWD has a noticeable impact on fuel economy and the reality is for folks living above the the snowbelt, they are going to swap to winter tires, in which case the eAWD is really not going to provide that much extra traction. Interesting that Toyota decided upon a 195 size for this model, the narrower width will provide better traction in wet/snow/ice. Wider tires have better road handling, but you are going to take a hit in the traction department. Some of us winter drivers will down size our winter tires versus our summer/all season ones.
The 195 tires will also improve mpg in summer.
5:47 The electric motor will engage in the rear if it senses a traction loss up front, or it *predicts* a traction loss up front. This eAWD system is likely part of Toyota's VDIM (vehicle dynamics integrated management) system, which can react to traction loss, or predict a traction loss and react before a slip occurs.
Personal annoyance, you cannot get a sunroof in the eAWD XLE. Yet you can in the normal XLE, which means a sunroof is entirely unavailable in the eAWD model...
Love the new tail lights. It's better than the 2016 ones
Excellent review! 👍👍
Another well done review. Thanks you sir may I have another...
Lots of good comments. Prius would have sold more all these years if it had not had such "unpleasant" styling. Now that Toyota and other companies are perfecting hybrid systems there are many alternatives to the Prius. This AWD version makes sense for people that endure harsh snowy and icy winters, so sales may be good in northern US and Canada, but for many folks a hybrid RAV4 or the coming hybrid CR-V are more suited for serious winter weather.
One reason sales are down is because of very good all electric cars with no emissions. Now they can have good range too. They mostly are all wheel drive I believe also
It’s mostly cause of the Rav 4 Hybrid and Camry Hybrid get crazy good MPG
Sounds like if you prefer MPG over AWD, then think Prius, but if you want AWD over MPG, then think RAV4. I would get the Toyota RAV 4 if I had to chose between AWD prius and AWD RAV4 because RAV4 has better AWD and storage space plus the RAV4 is already getting over 40 miles per gallon which is incredible for a NON-plugin vehicle
you are 100% right. people that buy prius is for the economic MPG. nothing more.
Buying for the MPG, storage and people capacity, since the new prius prime can hold up to 5 people including the driver.
But if you are carrying more than 1 big suitcase (the ones that need to be checked in), forget it. The prius prime can only hold 1 big suitcase and 1 carry-on. If it was just carry-on, maybe 3
Alex is there a reason why you don’t include crash safety ratings in you reviews?
Can't go fast enough in a Prius to do anything.
He probably has to return the cars in the same condition as he received them.
@@putrid_swamp_juice ... clever... funny!
Cause most folks don't care about those things, they assume that all cars sold in the USA have to pass certain safety requirements.
A 3rd row wagon model would be cool.
@@EONEILL1987
They probably didn't want any competition among in-house models. The US has the Highlander and Sequoia. An AWD lifted third-row Prius would've smoked them in every way but horsepower.
@@scowler92 They sell the 3 row Prius+ in other markets.
I would definitely go for the RAV4, more practical, more space and more capable. Over the past few year the weather is not getting any better, so the more capable vehicle is the one to chose!
Run Alex run!
I just got the Michelin Cross climate they are REAL all season tires on my Prius and it helped out with everything ride, breaking, and acceleration. I had the Michelin defender.
I have Defenders for 3 seasons and Michelin X-Ice for winter.
Really bad argument for the Rav4 at the end. If you want a hybrid for the gas mileage, your going to take the 20 extra miles per gallon in the Prius even if the Rav4 hybrid gets 10 miles more than a regular Rav4. If you want an suv that can go off-road a little bit with high ground clearance, than that is the argument for the Rav4.
It isn't a 20 mpg difference. I say this because we own a 2018 Prius and a 2019 RAV4 hybrid. The Prius gets about 10 mpg better in overall driving, not even close to a 20 mpg delta. The RAV gets low 40's, Prius low 50s. The Prius hauls a lot less and is a relative slug compared to the RAV, which feels very spry. Ground clearance, no doubt, RAV wins hands down.
I sort of dig the old tail lights of the last model more than this
It’s ok but the other was more unique
i like the 2016 tail lights a lot more. I feel that Toyota dumb it down.
What happens when agreed
They probably wanted to play it safe
@@dygardion9130 it worked on me because i bought it for this reason, among other reasons too.
Agreed. Toyota watered the styling down because Americans are conservative when it comes to car styling and can't handle things out of the box of normalcy.
I felt same way. The '16 squiggle lights were neat. Maybe they could have instead put the speedometer in front of the driver.
I appreciate Alex covering this car. However, I have no clue why this car exists in its current form. Recent 2019 sales have shown YoY decline for the Prius model and I think it's two-fold. 1. Is the Corolla hybrid on the low end. 2. Is the Tesla Model 3 on the high end. With those two anchor points, some might say this finds a middle ground but it doesn't do any one thing well. The Corolla has more palatable styling and price. The Tesla Model 3 is a BEV with performance. I think all Prius models need to now be PHEV standard and the Prime trim needs to be a limited range BEV.
Will the Prius Prime get AWD any sooner?
I wonder if the Corolla hybrid will get awd for next year would be a great idea
Bring it on.
They brought it on in other markets where the Corolla Hybrid is now sold with AWD.
Toyota just announced an eAWD Hybrid Corolla wagon for Japan.
That won't come to north America, no one buys wagons anymore. Other than me...
Hi Alex
Heard whether Toyota is considering doing an e-AWD version of the Camry Hybrid??
That’d be a nice larger hybrid for us northerners.
Thank for another comprehensive 1st look.
I've heard whispers of Camry and Avalon getting the eAWD
The Prius is a great car to drive. Ive got a Cooper S at the moment for the foreseeable future, but long term I have a choice of various makes and models depending on what my lifestyle requirements may be in a year or two when I buy somewhere new to live. If its somewhere rural id get an AWD car, probably a Subaru but if I have a few miles to commute, id go for economy. He says he got 48 mpg average, thats poor. I got 85mpg on mixed roads over a 160 mile route the other week, and although it was the non AWD model id expect him to do a lot better but then again, maybe he was at a higher altitude.
That exterior. It's like they're daring you to buy it. Absolutely wretched.
Great review as always Alex. I must say I wish Toyota would add a bit of power to some versions of the Prius. I know one could just buy something else, but I love the utilitarian ability of my 2008, (even the handling is better than most suv's). I'd gladly give up 5 mpg to have a bit more power. One could argue that it would make the car even heavier, or, if upping the ICE capacity, more pollution, but it would still be vary efficient.
Toyota e-awd did a really good job with this car. Stop comparing with rav4 or other cars. Prius awd is the only car in its class with awd.
I really wish Toyota would have this eAWD in their top Limited trim. I would buy this... if it had Apple Car Play/Android Auto and a sunroof. I'm not going to spend this money without those features.
52 mpg in the winter; I get 54+ mpg in the summer, especially when I use radar cruise control on the highway.
Rav 4 LE Hybrid is $1,600 more than the Prius eAWD LE.
Now I know why the Rav 4 is the best selling non truck in USA
I think the new Corolla hybrid will hurt Prius sales even more.
Oh yes. Way quieter cabin, more conventional vehicle so better materials quality, and will probably be more competitively priced
Bought a rolla hybrid, love it. Filling up half as much over my old corolla.
Just bought one over a prius ; finally a Toyota you can look at without crying .
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid comparison? Although more of a direct competitor to the RAV4 hybrid, it felt weird that Alex didn't even mention the Subaru. (Although last time I checked it was not available for purchase at dealers yet...)
That Crosstrek is a plug-in hybrid, using a system borrowed from the Prius Prime. The EV range is 17 miles, 35 mpg. Also, it's priced up to $37,000, which is over $4000 more than the top trim Prius awd-e.
Cross trek hybrid reviews I've seen it has mechanical AWD which is better performance but heavier so you get worse MPG. And I would imagine e-awd fear axle wouldn't need different fluid changes where Subaru rear did would. It's a matter of personal preference. I only do light offroading and winter driving so 2019 Toyota AWD fits my needs.
Just to be clear: The "Synergy" hybrid system's total HP/Torque is less than the sum of its individual motors/engine? The irony is noted.
i like the new toyota rav4 hybrid, and the new 2021 venza. would love to see how the venza awd stacks up. supposed to be slightly more premium than the rav4
To be honest, if you can afford it, and parking space isn’t an issue, just get the RAV4 Hybrid.
I think I'd rather an AWD hybrid Corolla or Camry. The Prius is just a little too conspicuously garish for my taste.
Wtf is garish? And where did u learn what it means?
@@SB-tg6mn Google it. I learned it from books and school, bro.
@@omars.8073 You used the word in the wrong context. The prius isn't showy, its hideous. Joke is on u lol.
Garish, in one of its many meanings, expresses a sense of something being bold as in poor taste. That is the sense in which I'm using the word.
And in my opinion (yours may differ) it is showy. But at least we can both agree it certainly isn't easy on the eyes.
More competition for the all wheel drive Crosstrek. I think a lot of the weird Prius body design would be more hidden with black or dark gray paint.
AWD with winter tires
17:10 rav4 impressive for sure but if only they had thought about aerodynamics instead of thinking about selling an ugly aggressive truck front .
Aerodynamics must be good getting 40mpg. Lots of people like new looks of Rav4. More masculine then old model. Looks like a baby 4Runner.
I call this the "Gutter Nudge" awd system. It has just enough power to nudge you out of the gutter. But with the nimh battery, doesn't it discharge slower than lithium batteries? Even worse, won't the additional regeneration energy from the additional motor be too much for the battery?
Lithium batteries are touchy in extreme cold. This is probably why they kept NiMh in the AWD.
No adjustable lumbar support at all? Not even an option, like an extra cost adjustable seat?
It is on the limited but that's not awd
Thanks. Seems unusual for such a basic feature.
@@mountainhobo in Toyotas line it's never on the LE And XLE. Because they are considered the 2 base models.
@Creative Dragon -- Perhaps not in a Prius, but it is in a Camry. I know, I have an LE.
@@mountainhobo in the RAV4 and Highlander to name a few the base two models don't get it I'm not sure why Camry is different
I really wish Toyota made a Prius AWD available with a sunroof!
Can the hybrid Rav 4 tow a 4x8 U-Haul trailer? Wondering what it can tow.
1,750 lbs.
Could you do a AWD test on rollers? I'd like to see how the e-AWD behaves in worst case conditions like both from and one rear wheels slipping (basically only one wheel has traction).
"if you wanted to fold down those rear seats . . ." Yeah, we'd like if you did that and showed us what it looks like back there. Without any roller bags or other stuff obscuring the view.
I think yes. See my video "2019 Petroleum cars with lowest CO2 & polution". The AWD needs a little bit more fuel only...
Dose this model have a smaller fuel tank that limits the car range?
I don’t care if this car have all wheel drive or not. The main reason this generation Prius’s sale is plummeted is because the exterior is too ugly compare to other hybrid competitors like Honda Insight .
The age of "Look at me, I am a hippie environmentalist" is gone. You want to save the planet without advertising it all over the place
No the reason is because gas is cheap
I certainly wouldn't go with huyndai because of crappy quality and reliability.
As far as off-road capabilities go, I have two 4Runners (2004 and 2018) so I am buying this for long travel on normal roads that may be icy and covered with snow but nothing extreme. I am convinced - and many videos on youtube prove me right - that even 7HP drive to rear wheels will make the car more stable and less likely to get stuck. I am not familiar with RAV4 AWD but I did have a honda CRV that was an absolute joke. Incidentally, it was the last honda I will ever buy - junk, junk, junk.
Why no sunroof on the Prius Prime? That sucks!
Is this the car for long trips? Or will you drive this around the world? What will be your choice?
What trail did you use for this test?
Why prius losing sales= Camry Hybrid gets 52 mpg in a 200+ hp car, Rav4 has awd clearance and more power, and Corolla hybrid is less money than prius with same mileage with all vehicles not having that aweful MFT screen in the center or funky styling, or funky shifter.
Just reading the title shows that now a lot of thought was put into it. "Most efficient AWD Car in America?" How about the Tesla Model 3, (as well as X and S)
it would be more accurate to specify "most efficient AWD gas car"... but that would also make for a clunky title
AGREED! Replaced my Prius Prime with a Tesla Model 3 a month ago. Much roomier, quicker, and more efficient.
The LED clock in the dashboard is sticking out like a sore thumb.
Another Prius decline cause is because every single other Toyota car now has a hybrid version
not only that, but other car companies are now competing pretty hard in the hybrid market, such as the Chevy volt, ford cmax, hyundai ionic, kia, ect...
Backseat room is a factor of occupant size. How tall is the reviewer?
Alex has said in other videos that he's six feet tall.
I had a 2018 Prius Model 2. It had a lot of buzzes and rattles inside. The most irritating was a subtle, but noticeable zizz in the B pillar at highway speed. The noises would come and go, and would move to different places. The dealer could never resolve them. I've heard from other 2016 - 2018 Prius owners who noticed the same sounds. I was so irritated with it that I got rid of the car and got a used 2015 Prius C. That car has interior noises, too. But, I don't care as much since it's a $10K car instead of a $26K car.
I have the 2016 model and i have 0 issues with road noise. maybe you bought a car that was involved in a collition.
Thanks for the idea. But, I bought this one off the lot with only 9 miles on it. So, I think it came from the factory that way. I've owned 4 Toyotas over the years and they've all had some interior noise. I'm convinced they cannot make a car that doesn't rattle somewhere.
@@jaysuthers7252 sorry to hear that. i owned two toyotas (2016 prius and 2012 prius C) and had no issues. maybe you got unlucky?
I love the fuel economy and capability but it’s just too slow for my taste. I can’t live with 9-10 seconds 0-60. I do a lot of highway driving and sometimes have to get aggressive while merging
I have the 2016 prius and i can tell you its not that slow. It actually accelerates pretty hard.
@@whathappenswhen4767 They're rated 9.7 seconds 0-60 on multiple sites and took one for a test drive last year. It was painful acceleration and unsafe on highways.
Unsafe on the highway? 10 seconds is not that slow and should be unsafe on the highway because of that. In Europe there are plenty of cars that to 0 to 60 in twice are long.
4:39 planetary gear set , interesting but ignored by toyota website
AWD ok. But an all-electric EV Prius is what is needed and what Toyota should be building.
+
When Toyota can make money out of it they will.
hyundai will have a winner on their hands when they bump up the range on the ioniq ev to 200+
WOW a full 7 hp!
Sure, but 40 lb-ft (which is 54 N*m) isn't half bad for low-speed, low-traction situations -- particularly snow and mud.
I would buy the RAV 4
"its uggggglyyyyyyy" screech the irrational car buying public as they hemorrhage money on fuel and maintenance costs
Your wallet ugly lol
The law of diminishing returns.
This car makes the Aztek look sexy!
A Nissan is not a competitor to a Toyota. Nissan is not a viable option for anyone imo.
the gloss black NEEDS TO GO
Having wider tires will reduce gas mileage. It goes against the overall goal of this vehicle...ie best MPG possible.
Wider tires are also bad for ice and snow traction, which is critical to the mission of this car in snow belt states and in Canada.
Can they upgrade 2017 to AWD????
Camry Hybrids are almost at Lexus level of refinement while being priced like a Toyota and getting pretty much the same MPG as this. No reason to buy Prius anymore I'm afraid
Barath Vedant I disagree I have a 2016 Prius and I can haul a lot more in it. My bike fits in the back entirely put together. Just depends what you’re wanting!
@@bradybisgard I guess, but many should be fine with just a Camry. so much cost-cutting in a Prius it'd have to be well under $10k for me to buy one
Yay!
Subaru :am I a joke?
Gabriel430 Chavez Yup.
Yes it’s hybrid is a joke
Every time Toyota introduces a new generation Prius I throw up in my mouth a little over the styling. Then several years pass and I get used to it...Just in time for Toyota to repeat the pattern. This new generation leans away from the 1930's Flash Gordon spaceship styling of the last generation so my initial reaction is somewhat less negative. As far as the eAWD system is concerned I'm torn between seeing its value in winter climates slightly more challenging than the US sunbelt and thinking it's little more than a marketing gimmick. As someone who lives in the Seattle area, I'll give Toyota the benefit of the doubt and lean toward the former. At least it doesn't impose the usual 200-250 lb weight penalty of most AWD systems and might convince some fence sitting consumers to opt for a Prius.
Nevertheless, if the Prius didn't enjoy its iconic status for hyper-milers I doubt Toyota would introduce it as a new model today. In 2018 the entire Prius line-up accounted for fewer than 88,000 sales in the US. That's not a terrible sales record for many brands but for Toyota it's meager. The last year Toyota sold fewer Priuses was 2005! And over the first five months of 2019, sales have continued to decline compared to 2108. I suspect that Toyota weighed the PR hit of discontinuing the Prius and decided to stretch its life for at least another year or two. Perhaps for 2020 Toyota will finally make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the eAWD system. For Prius fans it might not be too late.
As owner of 2 subaru outbacks; yeah.. no.
HELLOOOOOOO Toyota! its 2019... no apple car play. WTF?
Pronounce TOY-O-TA, not TOT-A.
So many people can't pronounce Toyota.. Lots of people say Tee-Yota 😆
Definitely better than a STI, Quattro etc...
It does not look like this is an impressive edition of Prius.
Second and third gen were the only good ones
_"Traditional_ CVT"
*Now* I've heard everything....
It doesn't even have a CVT calm down it's an electronic transmission
@@ethanmckibbin
Pretty sure you missed the point....
@@atticstattic I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter it just mimics a CVT it's not actually one. It won't have CVT issues
@@ethanmckibbin
...and also completely irrelevant to my comment....
@@atticstattic if you've never heard someone say traditional CVT before you're living under a rock
Awd Tesla model 3 is more efficient
And cost $35,000 more. You'd have to run it to the end of time to ever make the difference up.