High-mileage use case for `22/`23 Prius

[pnibsc]

I will have access to a `22 or `23 Prius for 6 weeks. It will be driven plenty (1,000-1,500 mi/wk) in hot, dry (>100 F, < 25% humidity often) conditions, and substantially all of these miles will be on the highway. Daily miles for the week are 400 mi/d x 1 and 300 mi/d x 2-3. What can I expect with preference toward performance and comfort? How do I configure and drive? Thanks! 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Think the OP is in the Americas, so if quoting fuel consumption use US gallons rather than our Imperial gallons.

[BhxTrev]

32 minutes ago, pnibsc said:

I will have access to a `22 or `23 Prius for 6 weeks. It will be driven plenty (1,000-1,500 mi/wk) in hot, dry (>100 F, < 25% humidity often) conditions, and substantially all of these miles will be on the highway. Daily miles for the week are 400 mi/d x 1 and 300 mi/d x 2-3. What can I expect with preference toward performance and comfort? How do I configure and drive? Thanks! 

The Prius is basically driven as an automatic. You simply depress the brake pedal select D for drive; R for reverse; P for parking to disengage the drive, (accessed by depressing the P button) & B ( without depressing the brake) for when you are going down a steep hill - equivalent to selecting a lower gear. N on the shift is neutral & is not normally selected unless you want to disengage the drive from the front wheels, needed only in situations such as an automatic car wash. The handbrake is a foot operated pedal at the side of the brake pedal. 
 

There are 3 driving modes selected using the appropriate buttons. Eco, for the best fuel economy driving; Normal, for normal traditional car driving or PWR (Power), for highest power driving, which is useful for overtaking or climbing up a steep hill. 
 

Regarding comfort, I have driven several hundred miles with obvious breaks but have found the Prius quite comfortable for long journeys. I note you are driving in quite high temperature conditions. I cannot comment what the Prius is like under those conditions since in the UK we don’t experience such high temperature & dry conditions. The Prius has air conditioning but if used you have to remember that will radically affect your fuel consumption.

Hope this helps.