New (Gen5) Prius

New (Gen5) Prius

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Discussion

AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Thursday 10th November 2022
quotequote all
Looks like it's going to be revealed on November 16

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41909581/2023-t...

Not much known except that it will apparently be available in self-charging and plug-in hybrid forms. And intriguingly, they are planning a hydrogen ICE version for 2025.

I am pretty interested to see what Toyota do with it. The Prius owning demographic seems to have split during the life of the Gen4; many private hire drivers have moved to the Corolla or other hybrids, and many tech enthusiasts have moved to BEVs. This makes me think about who the target market will be. I guess that it might be people like me, who like cool engineering and like something a bit different from the norm but who are not sold on BEVs yet. There are a lot of internet comments from existing Prius owners who want to upgrade but can't find anything on the market that suits them.

Anyone know if it's coming to the UK? There is overlap with the Corolla, but the same applies in the US market, and it's definitely launching there (or so I'm told).


AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Wednesday 16th November 2022
quotequote all
Real shame that it's not coming to the UK at all. It looks really cool IMHO, I would have bought one frown

Toyota UK said that the UK would not buy it, apparently they sold less than 400 Prius in 2019 so in their view the market just isn't there. It's a shame but I can't blame them. Maybe they could have done a low volume of imports, like they did with the Camry (which I now think of as possibly the best car I ever had).

It will come to mainland Europe but only in PHEV form, no self-charging version.


AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Monday 30th October 2023
quotequote all
One year on, and apparently it's now coming to the UK bounce

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/toyota...

I'm guessing that the factors which led to this decision are 1) UK ICE end date being moved to 2035 and 2) BEV sales slowing down across the market. Which together means stronger than expected demand for self-charging and plug-in hybrids.

Will be interesting to see if they bring the non plug-in version over here. I'm guessing that it's not an engineering issue (it's sold in both RHD and LHD versions outside Europe) but more of an emissions issue. However, given that it will simply steal sales from Corolla and C-HR, it probably wouldn't make much difference to Toyota's overall emissions.

AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Monday 25th March
quotequote all
On the Toyota website now

https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/prius-plugin

Basically just under £40k. Plug-in only with 2 trim options, no further personalisation except colour.

Reviews are generally very positive. Main downside seems to be some interior quality issues and a small boot. Also, it is less suitable for private hire drivers compared to the previous one, but I don't think that's an issue because the Corolla seems to have the private hire market sown up around here (SE London).

Is anyone getting one? I am actually tempted. But I need to have a look first.


AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Monday 25th March
quotequote all
Not exactly a review, but somehow nails it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh1OTKRKcBU

AmitG

Original Poster:

3,306 posts

161 months

Not in my local showroom yet so I haven't been able to take a look. Dealer said July for showroom models and "no idea" for actual customer deliveries but didn't really seem to have a clue TBH. Toyota UK originally said May for showroom models and July for customer deliveries.

This is one car where I really need to experience it in person before committing. It's very low and the instruments are above the steering wheel, Peugeot style. I need to see if the driving position would work for me...