Proud new owner of a 2025 Prius PHEV XSE Premium in Cutting Edge silver with 49 miles on it when I started my test drive. First new car ever! But not my first PHEV, as I've owned both generations of Chevy Volts. In fact, I traded my 2018 Volt for the Prius. So I've been all about the PHEV's for most of the last decade. As they stopped making the Volt in 2019, and the 8y/100k warranty was getting ready to expire next year (My 2018 only had 49k miles) I had started looking for a new ride. I had always dismissed the Prius as the PHEV versions didn't have near enough EV range for me, in fact nothing but the Volts did. And my needs preclude a full EV due to range anxiety. I have an absolute, unnegotiable need to drive about 275 miles in -20 degree weather with the heat on without needing to stop to charge. Most current EV's won't do that, and the ones that can are far beyond what I'm willing to pay for a car (EV Silverado RST for example, and extended range Teslas). I also make a 1000 mile round trip 4-6 times a year, and I have no interest in stopping 6+ times to partial charge, or 4 times to fully charge. Ain't got time for that! During my shopping, I was looking at hybrid Camrys, Accords, Ioniqs, etc as well as some ICE machines like the Santa Cruz, Ridgeline, Canyon (was going to go small truck if I did ICE only). PHEV's other than the now extinct Volt just didn't have enough range to be worth it as I live in the sticks. On a whim, I looked up what the current Prius PHEV could do, as last time I checked, it was around 20 miles EV. To my surprise, I found the Prius had almost caught up to the Volt (just 7 years behind). In fact, Google told me its 44-mile range was 2nd only to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e's 54-mile range (and no way was I going to buy a Benz). And with the new styling of the Gen 5... I was sold at first sight. Then, when I drove it... it was all over, and I had to take her home. I have to say the PHEV with its 220 HP is something else. I have a Porsche and a Maserati, and even compared, the Prius doesn't feel like a dog to me at all like older versions did. Toyota really turned a corner in every way with the Gen 5. I've always loved Toyota, ever since my brother came home with a brand new Supra in 1987. And my local dealer is great, I've loved them since I had my Corolla. They did about 4k of work (rebuilt CVT) long after it was out of warranty, just because it was the right thing to do (there was a TSB). I only traded it for my first Volt because I was ready to get into the EV world. And well, the Corolla... is a Corolla. Too plain jane for my middle-aged expectations. The Prius was my PHEV Goldilocks pick. The Ford Escape with 37 mile range was just not enough goodness, the Benz at 55 was just too much $$$. The Prius was juuusssttttt rightttttt. And damn sexy. I even love the interior. My XSE Premium even came loaded with every option but the Solar Roof. A part of me wishes I had it, just because. Yeah, I know, the math doesn't work out. 5-11 years ROI depending on electric prices. 4 extra miles on a perfect day isn't really a game changer. Still for $600... wish I'd ordered one or found one with it. But then... when would I have gotten it? I heard they are pretty backed up on special orders. Ah well, that's my only buyer's remorse. At all. Otherwise, I love every aspect of my Prius. I'll get over the solar roof. Maybe my next one, as I suspect I'll keep buying them as long as they sell them. Just like I did with the Volt before it.
EDIT: Oh yeah, and the 50~ MPG on ICE was a big part of the decision for me. My Volt got 37 MPG average with a 50-mile rated EV range (because I live on a highway and it's the only way into town, my range was about 42 max, when the weather was JUST RIGHT, 33-37 most of the year). My XSE P is, of course, 39/49. I'm seeing about 33-34 EV (about what I got in my 7-year-old Volt on average) and 47 MPG once on ICE. Roughly equal EV range, but 10-13 MPG more on ICE? And I suspect on a longer trip I could knock on the door of 50? Yes please. And it blows ANYTHING else out there out of that water on ICE. I don't get why they even had one left on the lot!
