New Kid on the Block - Toyota 2023 Prius Prime Hybrid EV vs 2024 Equinox EV

1260 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Steverino, 6 mo ago

smithlavon483

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

Some here might say I'm comparing apples to oranges but in many ways 'Not". Both new 2023 Prius and 2023 Equinox will be priced lower than the competition. And I think the Prius could be $3000 cheaper than the Equinox across all lines. Both vehicles coming out in 2023/2024. Both are relatively compact, though the Equinox is wider and has more storage space. Both have new looks, with the Prius going from ugly to nice. Both do 0 to 60 mph in relatively same time span. The big difference is Toyota's hybrid EV combination versus Equinox all EV. It seems all EV might have the edge here since its where all the auto manufacturers are going short term and long term. But hybrid EV's might also have staying power.
Some considerations
Driving distance
Prius Prime will go about 40 miles daily on battery juice. Not bad and might fit into short work commutes. After 40 miles (or so) gasoline engine kicks in. You then drive until you need a fill up.
Equinox solid 300 miles before recharging.

Time charging -
Prius Prime - I assume all down at home with 110 volt connection. Prius battery is not large
Equinox - Home or on the road with various options but charging will not be as fast as the Prius. Equinox has bigger battery.

Driving comparison
Got no idea but I think both vehicles will offer good ride. It will be interesting to see which out performs which. Both offer front wheel drive and AWD.

Cabin quietness
Got no idea but both vehicles should be quiet, especially on short daily commutes. Question would be when the Prius engine kicks in does that raise cabin noise? I do believe 2022 Equinox and 2022 Prius were rated high "for low cabin noise", so that should factor into 2023/2024 models.

Performance dependability
This is where the Prius might have the advantage since Toyota has been building Hybrids for 20 years. There's a history to this car where the Equinox EV will be completely new. Throw the dice on first year performance and possible defects.

$7,500 tax credit
Prius - thinking $3,750 for 2023 - not sure about beyond
Equinox - thinking $3,750 then $7,500 2025

So a new sedan versus a compact SUV. Yep different but then again no so different.

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PSU77

· #2 · 6 mo ago

"$7,500 tax credit
Prius - thinking $3,750 for 2023 - not sure about beyond"

The Prius is built in Japan so it won't be eligible for the tax credit.

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Steverino

· #3 · 6 mo ago

The new Prius does look nice. Toyota must have fired all it's designers and brought in fresh talent, lol.

I think it will be a good solution for people that do LOTS of Canon Ball Run long distance highway trips. Gas up, pee and keep driving. Or those in rural areas where charge opportunities are few and far between. It's similar to a 2011 Volt, but it's still more of a gas car with battery assist than an EV with a backup generator. Better than a gas only, yes.

The challenge is the Prius will have two systems, battery and gas. You still have all the gas engine maintenance requirements with the addition of battery maintenance too.

The Chevy Equinox EV will have one system to maintain and based on my Bolt's maintenance schedule there is very little to do. Other than inspections, tire rotations, some lube, the cabin air filter gts changed @2 years, brakes and coolant @5 years. It's VERY little maintenance. And except for the coolant, you can do these yourself if inclined.

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smithlavon483

Discussion Starter · #4 · 6 mo ago

PSU77 said:
"$7,500 tax credit
Prius - thinking $3,750 for 2023 - not sure about beyond"

The Prius is built in Japan so it won't be eligible for the tax credit.

Not sure how accurate this link's U.S. tax credit is per EV or Hybrid manufactured. Especially since congress seems to still be drafting changes. Notice previous Prius vehicles seemed too of been given tax credit. Article seems to say after 9/2023 no tax credit for future Prius vehicles.

Here's every electric vehicle that qualifies for the current US federal tax credit

As sales of electric vehicles continue to surge, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for federal tax...

electrek.co

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Steverino

· #5 · 6 mo ago

smithlavon483 said:
Notice previous Prius vehicles seemed too of been given tax credit. Article seems to say after 9/2023 no tax credit for future Prius vehicles.

Not made in the US? No tax credit. That was not the case before. To get the full tax credit the car must be made in US and the battery materials will have a domestic requirement as well.

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chEVy4me

· #6 · 6 mo ago

AWD will only be available on the standard Prius, not on the Prime.
That's a pretty significant differentiator for some of us, based on location and personal preference of course.

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smithlavon483

Discussion Starter · #7 · 6 mo ago

chEVy4me said:
AWD will only be available on the standard Prius, not on the Prime.
That's a pretty significant differentiator for some of us, based on location and personal preference of course.

That brings up an interesting subject. AWD vs FWD. Not knocking AWD but you pay extra for it and there's more potential for battery issue since the Equinox has two for front and back tires. I also heard from several sources that AWD will wear down tires faster than FWD. That's a fact. But what I really question is the dependability of FWD on the Equinox EV. I've had front wheel drive cars and when in snow or say heavy rain, it's the weight of the engine pushing down on front wheel tires that gives you good traction. So fast forward to the Equinox EV which I will consider buying with FWD. Without a motor/engine over front tires this EV is going to be light up front. Please don't tell me passenger weight in front seat impacts front wheel tire grip. With nothing (weight wise) in front or over the Equinox front tires - I seriously have to wonder what kind of traction its going to get. Heck you can't even load anything nose of Equinox - so good luck with FWD in snow. Oh but at least you have the heated wind shield wipers and heated steering wheel.

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Nebula1701

· #8 · 6 mo ago

smithlavon483 said:
That brings up an interesting subject. AWD vs FWD. Not knocking AWD but you pay extra for it and there's more potential for battery issue since the Equinox has two for front and back tires. I also heard from several sources that AWD will wear down tires faster than FWD. That's a fact. But what I really question is the dependability of FWD on the Equinox EV. I've had front wheel drive cars and when in snow or say heavy rain, it's the weight of the engine pushing down on front wheel tires that gives you good traction. So fast forward to the Equinox EV which I will consider buying with FWD. Without a motor/engine over front tires this EV is going to be light up front. Please don't tell me passenger weight in front seat impacts front wheel tire grip. With nothing (weight wise) in front or over the Equinox front tires - I seriously have to wonder what kind of traction its going to get. Heck you can't even load anything nose of Equinox - so good luck with FWD in snow. Oh but at least you have the heated wind shield wipers and heated steering wheel.

You still have the motor between the wheels providing weight.... It's not as heavy as ICE but it still provides weight... Also Gm is putting all the Charging equipment and Electronics in the front of the Equinox (no Frunk).

Still you are getting near even weight distribution with the heavy battery providing weight on all 4 wheels.

The Bolt has no issues in the snow either.

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Evan1

· #9 · 6 mo ago

Steverino said:
Not made in the US? No tax credit. That was not the case before. To get the full tax credit the car must be made in the US and the battery materials will have a domestic requirement as well.

Actually made in the NAFTA areas: Canada, Mexico, and United States. 😜
The Chevy Equinox EV and Blazer EV and even the Mustang ME are made in Mexico and get the credit.

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Mapleev

· #10 · 6 mo ago

If you get the 3LT, AWD is standard. Other front wheel drive EV’s do well in snow. AWD‘s do better.

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chEVy4me

· #11 · 6 mo ago

Biggest bang for your buck by far is winter tires over AWD. As I live in snow country I’ll be getting both

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Steverino

· #12 · 6 mo ago

smithlavon483 said:
I seriously have to wonder what kind of traction its going to get.

chEVy4me said:
Biggest bang for your buck by far is winter tires over AWD. As I live in snow country I’ll be getting both

SOP for me is a set of winter wheel/tires. My FWD Volt and Bolt are like tanks going through snow with those. I find 3 season (aka all season) tires are not close to the grip my Blizzaks deliver.

Yes, it's about $1200 of extra cost and you'll lose about 5 miles or so of range due to weather and the more aggressive tires but that's far less expensive than any crash.

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Evan1

· #13 · 6 mo ago

Steverino said:
SOP for me is a set of winter wheels/tires. My FWD Volt and Bolt are like tanks going through the snow with those. I find 3 seasons (aka all-season) tires are not close to the grip my Blizzaks deliver.

Yes, it's about $1200 of extra cost and you'll lose about 5 miles or so of range due to weather and the more aggressive tires but that's far less expensive than any crash.

This is a German tank, perfect for all fronts, lol.