The all-new Toyota Prius Plug-in offers customers much more in terms of advanced technology, equipment, safety features and driving rewards than the original model that it’s replacing. Those benefits now extend to a lower price tag as well, with a reduction in on-the-road prices prior to the car’s official on-sale date.
Toyota has been able bring down the price of both the Business Edition Plus and Excel models by £3,200. Factoring in the £2,500 available for new car purchases through the UK Government’s plug-in car grant scheme, the new range is now available to customers from just £29,195 – more than £2,000 less than the cost of the previous Prius Plug-in.
The Prius Plug-in marks a further development of Toyota’s world-leading hybrid technology, benefiting from a new Dual Motor EV Drive system and a higher capacity lithium-ion battery to double its emissions-free electric driving range to more than 30 miles.
New Prius Plug-in is built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform as the standard, full hybrid Prius. Combined with specifically tuned suspension, this delivers much-improved handling dynamics and a more enjoyable and rewarding drive.
Prius Plug-in also benefits from a number of new technologies that increase efficiency, performance and practicality, significantly enhancing the model’s all-round appeal. Its technological breakthroughs include a Dual Motor EV drive system and a Battery Warming system, plus two world firsts: an EV range-extending solar roof and gas-injection heat pump air conditioning.
Prius Plug-in is equipped with Toyota’s first hybrid powertrain to feature a Dual Motor Drive System, increasing EV power by around 83 per cent. A highly compact, one-way gear within the transaxle enables the hybrid system generator to act as a second electric motor. This boosts EV driving power, giving better acceleration, more engaging performance and a higher maximum EV speed of 84mph.
The large-capacity lithium-ion battery, located under the rear load space, is fundamental to new Prius Plug-in’s increased EV driving range. Its capacity has been doubled from 4.4 to 8.8kW/h, yet its volume has only increased by two thirds – from 87 to 145 litres.
During charging, a new battery warming system will bring the cells up to an efficient working temperature, even when external temperatures drop as low as -20°C. This ensures battery power and efficiency are maintained at a sufficient level to minimise the impact of cold weather on the EV driving range, with full power available from start-off.
The increase in maximum power from 2.0 to 3.3kW means the battery can be fully charged up to 65 per cent more quickly – in two hours when using the Type II Mode III Mennekes connector, or three hours 10 minutes using a standard household plug socket.
In common with all new Toyota vehicles, Prius Plug-in is protected by a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Model range and pricing
| MODEL | OTR PRICE | OTR PRICE with Government incentive |
| Business Edition Plus | £31,695 | £29,195 |
| Business Edition Plus Solar Roof | £33,195 | £30,695 |
| Excel | £33,895 | £31,395 |
