![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/autos\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/18172630\/Screen-Shot-2019-11-02-at-6.26.04-PM-750x497.jpg\")
Mechanical\/Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both models come with a 1.8L DOHC 4-cylinder engine and hybrid synergy drive system. Both have various driving modes to dull or amp up the performance. The AWD in the XLE model delivered a slight edge when handling tighter corners. The Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid model though. As such, it can deliver up some serious MPG\u2019s. To the tune of 133 between electricity and gasoline. On just gasoline, it will still manage 54 MPG. The XLE model, being hybrid only will still impress at 50 MPG combined. 48 on the highway. The obvious advantage goes to the Prius Prime. A true champion of the short commute and long road trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exterior\/Interior<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n To be clear, it\u2019s still the Prius we are talking about. Nothing about the outside shell screams edgy or avant-garde. The XLE hybrid features LED headlights, 15\u201d alloy wheels, heated side mirrors and an overall effect that\u2019s perfectly neutral to the senses. The Prius Prime follows the same formula in general, with a few added surprises. Quad-LED headlights are playfully shaped, rounded over and sculpted around each individual LED. Underneath you\u2019ll find LED fog lights and other accent lighting around the exterior as well. The effect is striking, really helping to elevate the Prime model above lower trim levels. The surprises continue to the back, where I was shocked to find what appeared to be a good amount of carbon fiber wrapped around the inside of the back hatch. Wheels are still 15\u201d but styled more aggressively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Interior<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the inside, the clear differences manifest further. In the Prius XLE, an 8.1\u201d touch screen with 8 Entune speakers can be found. SofTex trimmed heated front seats are wide and supportive. There\u2019s Qi charging, 3 USB ports, bluetooth, Siri Eyes and more. Slide in behind the wheel of the Prime Limited Prius and the biggest difference jumps right out in the form of an enlarged 11.6\u201d touch screen display. Oriented vertically, extending down the center controls much like the Tesla vehicles. Just with a lower screen resolution. It\u2019ll control a higher end JBL audio system with an extra two speakers, making for a grand total of 10. You\u2019ll find separate USB ports for media connection and charging. Plus the Qi wireless charger as well. Seats are the same SofTex-trim with heating. The enlarged infotainment screen alone really elevates the interior of the Prime model. Making it feel higher tech and generally more special than the XLE Prius.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When stacked up against one another, a clear winner isn\u2019t hard to identify. For only $4,000.00 more, the Prius Prime Limited is assembled with better hardware, better lighting, and generally speaking, a more interesting interior and exterior. Not to mention the plug-in option that will give you stratospheric MPG\u2019s and help you recoup the extra few thousand spent on the more premium model quickly with far fewer stops for gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By: Brandon Randall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Toyota Prius was one of the first full hybrid electric vehicles to become a mainstream success. Its…\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,11,82],"tags":[278,154,487,811,812,173,191,481,275],"class_list":{"0":"post-5887","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-auto-news","8":"category-new-car-reviews","9":"category-toyota","10":"tag-arizona-foothills-magazine","11":"tag-brandon-randall","12":"tag-prius","13":"tag-prius-prime","14":"tag-prius-xle","15":"tag-stick-shift","16":"tag-toyota-2","17":"tag-toyota-prius","18":"tag-vroom","19":"cs-entry","20":"cs-video-wrap"},"yoast_head":"\n
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