Flash Drive: 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e Hybrid

Taking MPG To New Places

The Toyota Prius is the poster child of hybrid technology, trading on more than two decades of market dominance, but for all of its success, the Prius has always had limitations. When I visit the Pacific Northwest, land of constant mist and rain, my preference is to drive an all-wheel drive vehicle to be better able to deal with unfavorable conditions on unfamiliar roads. I also prefer to drive the highest mileage car I can. Because: Clean Fleet Report. The Prius in all of its 19 years in the American market, has never been able to answer my two desires. This year that finally changed.

Toyota threw the old playbook out the window and this year (2019) introduced an AWD Prius. As the company’s hybrid technology has matured, the fuel economy ding is minimal (presumably that was one of the reasons Toyota never added AWD to the hybrid). Our 2019 Toyota Prius LE AWD-e Hybrid was rated at 52 mpg city/48 highway/50 combined, only a two-mpg deficit compared to the standard Prius and four-to-six mpg less than the stingy Prius Eco.  

Toyota’s version of hybrid technology works better in the stop-and-go of city driving than the high speeds of open highways. I spent much of my week in the AWD Prius on the highway and at the usual high speeds traffic flows on those roads, but was pleased that I was able to best the EPA numbers by several mpg. Most of the time I ran in Eco driving mode. On the other hand, I was disappointed I didn’t get a drop of rain during my week in the Prius, but was still glad to have the extra grip.

Prius AWD on the Road

The Prius has never been known as a road car. Since hybrid technology works better in city traffic, my sense is Toyota engineers biased the car towards its optimal operating conditions, deemphasizing highway attributes like passing acceleration and top speed cruising noise levels. Squeezing every mile out of in-town travel means focusing on technologies like brake regen and the delicate balance of the electric motor assisting the gas-powered engine. On the highway that focus shifts to lightweighting and aerodynamics, where MPGs are found.

One limitation we didn’t see until we read up on the AWD technology was that it is speed-limited, functioning only up to 43 mph. That means your added traction only comes into play in relatively low-speed operation, no doubt the result of having only a five-kilowatt on the rear drive axle.  

My 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e was finished in Supersonic Red, a color that imbued a sportier image than the Prius was able to live up to. It’s underwhelming and noisy power delivered the minimum needed on the highway—the ability to keep up with faster traffic and maneuver around slower ones. Road noise at speed indicated Toyota’s lightweighting program has limited sound-deadening material. The AWD systems adds 170 pounds to this model. Since added weight means lower fuel economy, every ounce counts, so this model has a slightly smaller fuel tank.

Some good news about adding AWD to the Prius is that none of its interior dimensions are compromised. It’s a big small car with a spacious interior wrapped with a fairly compact exterior. You can still squeeze five adults into the car although two are more comfortable for any distance in the back seat. The hatchback configuration will give you the opportunity to stuff a large suitcase in the rear without trouble.

The Bottom Line

AWD comes at a premium, but not a large one. On the LE model we drove driving all four wheels added $1,400 to the starting price of the model. Our tester had limited options–$395 for that arrest-me red exterior, $264 for something called the Preferred Driver’s Portfolio and smaller amounts for wheel locks, a cargo net and a rear bumper applique. Add in a delivery, processing and handling fee of $930 and a Prius LE with electronic on-demand compact all-wheel drive thusly equipped will retail for $28,152.

The only other trim level with AWD is XLE, which adds technology like rain-sensing wipers, auto-leveling headlights, SofTex (instead of fabric non-heated) heated seats and wireless smartphone charging. With the XLE you also can add a head-up display.

Warranties for the Prius are fairly standard (some of which are dictated by state and federal regulations):

• Basic Warranty – 36 months/36,000 miles
• Powertrain – 60 months/60,000 miles
• Corrosion Perforation – 60 months/unlimited miles
• Restraint Systems – 60 months/60,000 miles
• Hybrid Systems – 96 months/100,000 miles
• Hybrid Battery – 120 months/150,000 miles

Standard safety equipment keeps getting boosted with automakers trying to keep a step ahead of new federal regulations and consumer demand. The Prius has eight airbags, no cost maintenance for two years and roadside assistance. All Prius feature a suite of six safety technologies:

• Enhanced vehicle stability control
• Traction control
• Anti-lock brake systems
• Electronic brake-force distribution
• Brake assist
• Smart-Stop technology

Finally, Toyota’s Safety Sense P has another batch of technologies designed to reduce accidents and aid in safe driving:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Automatic high bears
• Full-speed dynamic radar cruise control
• Intelligent parking assist
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Integrated backup camera display
• Hill start assist control

The 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e raises the bar as a complete package for the consumer hyper-focused on maximizing fuel economy along with maintaining the highest degree of modern safety technology and the added benefit of all-wheel drive. We’d expect it to become a big seller in northern climes, although its limitation to low speeds may push some folks towards crossovers or other models with full-range all-wheel drive. It’s a tough choice sometimes as the ability to maintain traction will trump great fuel economy in many critical situations.  

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—More Prius Tests & News

Road Test: 2019 Toyota Prius Limited

Comparison Test: A Pair of Toyota Prius

Road Test: 2018 Toyota Prius C

News: 2019 Toyota Prius AWD Debuts

Road Test: 2018 Toyota Prius Prime

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.