The 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in is a great looking mid-sized car that gets excellent fuel economy, but has a shorter all-electric range than its plug-in hybrid rivals. According to the EPA, the Prius Plug-in has a six-mile electric-only range, and Toyota says it can go up to 62 mph on electric power alone. However, we discovered that most plug-in hybrids have better electric-only ranges and top speeds.
One positive about the electric motor on the Prius Plug-in is the three-hour charge time is very good for the class. The Prius Plug-in has a four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, as well as a continuously variable transmission (CVT). We found the Prius Plug-in’s acceleration powerful enough to move comfortably around in city traffic and ample on the highway.
The 2014 Prius Plug-in gets an EPA- estimated 95 mpg-equivalent in combined city and highway driving using both electric and gas power, which we found was excellent given the constantly rising price of gasoline. Additionally, the Prius Plug-in gets 50 mpg combined using only gas, which is also great.
In our test drive we found the Prius Plug-in has a smooth and rather comfortable ride. The car takes a little getting used to for those of us who have driven the solely gas-powered cars for so many years.
The electric engine is quiet and has little vibration and we found it quite pleasant but had to remind ourselves continuously to shut the car down after parking. Additionally the high-tech regenerative braking systems felt a little strange at first. But once we got used to the technology in the Prius we liked it.
Standard features in the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in include automatic climate control, navigation, a rearview camera, satellite radio, an auxiliary input, a USB port, Bluetooth, push-button start and Toyota’s Entune touch-screen infotainment system, which uses your smartphone’s data plan to access apps like Bing, Pandora and OpenTable, as well as information about weather, traffic, gas prices and sports.
Available features include an eight-speaker JBL sound system and adaptive cruise control. On the outside the 2014 Prius Plug-in has blue-tinted headlight covers with available LED headlights; LED tailights; chrome accents on door handles, grille, liftgate and charge-port door; 15-inch alloy wheels; rear spoiler; and optional fog lights.
Safety features include antilock brakes; side-impact airbags for the front seats; driver’s knee air-bag; side curtain airbags; active front head restraints; and optional Safety Connect emergency communication system and, pre-collision system that can tighten the seat belts and apply the brakes when a crash is imminent.
Like other Prius models, the 2014 Prius Plug-in does possess the more practical virtues that will endear it to most hybrid buyers, including a comfortable ride, safe handling and a versatile hatchback bodystyle that provides 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Given the fact that Toyota has dropped the base price of the 2014 Prius Plug-in by $2,010 we feel the car is a great buy for the conscientious consumer who wants style and a degree of luxury while decreasing their personal carbon footprint and conserving on gas.
MSRP: $29,990 – $34,905 As tested: $31,189 Engine: 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine and 60-kilowatt-hour electric motor 4.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack in place of the regular Prius’ nickel-metal-hydride battery. Battery can be charged in about three hours using 120-volt service or 1.5 hours using a 240-volt connection Transmissions: 2-speed CVT w/OD Wheelbase: 105 in MPG: 51 City /49 Hwy