There’s no point in denying it: The new Toyota Prius Plug-In is the poster boy of the green party revolution (no, not that green party. No politics here, guys.) Any frugal-minded family looking to reduce their emissions whilst still travelling in class have been turning to the brand new Toyota Prius Plug-In, and it’s little surprise; it goes further than most of its rivals on a single charge, boasts fantastically low running costs, and comes with zero NOx. Even better, it’s just as practical and roomy as its diesel and petrol stablemates. Let’s take a closer look at what it offers.
Drivability and Performance
The new Toyota Prius Plug-In has a few rivals in its sector, among them the Vauxhall Ampera and the BMW i3, but unlike its nearest competitors, it doesn’t rely on its battery pack half as much. Instead, it puts the onus on its petrol engine, which essentially means that buyers get more drive at the wheels, as opposed to the drive acting as a power supply for the battery. The petrol power plant is a 1.8-litre unit, and the downside is that it’s paired to a somewhat noisy CVT gearbox which pretty much means refinement gets a zero out of ten. The ride is, moreover, a little bit firm.
On the plus-side of things, the controls are light, which makes the new Toyota Prius Plug-In easy to drive. The controls might not be as fun as other Toyota hybrids, but they get the job done, whilst the car is nice and comfortable to sit in. The actual lithium-ion battery pack allows the car to manage 15.5 miles on a single charge, which ensures that you can negotiate traffic at low speeds with just the electric motor for comfort. This reduces the noise emitted from the petrol engine.
Practicality and Interior
There is little to tell this hybrid version of the Prius apart from its forefather, with the only clue from the outside that the new Toyota Prius Plug-In is a hybrid being the flap for the electric plug socket. Apart from that, the familiar 15” alloys grab your attention, whilst the “slippery” shape is present in all its glory. Inside, the car feels refreshingly spacious, largely thanks to the absence of any conventional dials. The huge windscreen also helps the car to feel big too. The overall impression, though, is one of cheapness. Nothing about the controls or the centre console emits quality.
The new Toyota Prius Plug-In scores pretty well on practicality, though. The batteries haven’t changed, which ensures this cars’ usefulness is the same as the standard car, whilst a 443-litre boot comes in handy. There is also an area all by itself for storing the electric charging cable. Nice. The boot can be increased to a surprising 1,120-litres if you fold down the rear seats, whilst there are also various storage holes in the cabin too. Space is good, with rear legroom and shoulder room worthy of notable praise, although headroom could have been a little better. Five people, though, should be able to fit in here just fine.
Facts and Figures
The new Toyota Prius Plug-In price range starts out from around £21,999, which makes it around £8,000 more expensive than the standard Prius. Buyers will be able to get their hands on a used Toyota Prius Plug-In for a little bit less. Standard equipment across the range includes LED daytime running lights, heated power outside mirrors, 15” alloys, intermittent rear window wiper and rear spoiler. If you pay extra for the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Advanced, you will be treated to projector-beam halogen headlights and LED headlights. Integrated fog lights are available as an option for the Advanced trim. And whilst the new Toyota Prius Plug-In does cost more than the standard Prius, a £5,000 government grant for electric cars should soon make you feel a bit better. It’s also free to tax.
Final Thoughts
The new Toyota Prius Plug-In is feeling the love at the moment, with many consumers putting their faith in the hybrid version of the Prius that, though it may cost more, promises better long-term benefits. These include lower running costs and very few emissions. If you’re looking to go green and need a family car that is as practical, spacious and useful as they come, the new Toyota Prius Plug-In is probably as good as things get right now.
If you want to get hold of the new Toyota Prius Plug-In, don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact page, or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out more about our Toyota Prius Plug-In lease deals.
