There’s no doubt that the Toyota Prius has made an impact on the new car market. Its pioneering petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain has been emulated by rivals, while Toyota has gone on to perfect the formula over the years.
Now Toyota is launching a fourth-generation Prius, complete with radical styling, a more efficient hybrid system and an all-new platform that’s designed to add even more to the driving experience.
• Best hybrid cars on the market
But the new model enters a hybrid market that has changed beyond recognition since the original’s 1997 launch. We’ve lined up two rivals that will provide stiff competition.
The Ford Mondeo Hybrid features petrol-electric drive and a CVT gearbox like the Prius, but its four-door saloon body is unique to the Mondeo range. The hybrid system in the Ford is more powerful than the Toyota’s, and it undercuts the top-spec Prius tested here on price as well.
The Volkswagen Golf GTE represents the rise in plug-in hybrids. While it has a higher list price, it promises to deliver a mix of wallet-friendly economy and hot hatch handling that will test the Prius’ abilities.
Head-to-head
Size
Park the Prius and Mondeo side-by-side, and the difference in size between the two is obvious. The Toyota is packaged around its hybrid drivetrain, so while it’s compact, it has a bigger boot, and feels more spacious inside.
As with the Golf, the Ford’s hybrid system takes up load space, so it’s less practical than regular petrol or diesel versions.
Driver assist
The Prius Excel and Golf GTE feature adaptive cruise, and you can add it to the Mondeo for £450. Of the three, the Golf’s system is the smoothest to use.
The Toyota and Volkswagen also have lane assist, although the Prius’ set-up is a bit slow to react, leaving you hitting road studs as the system activates.
Packaging
Unlike the new Prius, the Golf and Mondeo are compromised to fit in their drivetrains. In the Ford, you lose boot space and fuel tank capacity, while in the Volkswagen there’s no underfloor storage or space for a spare wheel.
Verdict
First place: Toyota Prius
The new Prius wins this test, but more importantly it has the all-round ability to be an outright contender in the hatchback class. Although the looks are divisive, clever packaging means the cabin is roomy, while the new platform delivers a surprisingly enjoyable drive. The hybrid powertrain demands no compromises, but the car still delivers the best fuel economy when driven around town.
Second place: Volkswagen Golf GTE
You get an intriguing mix of hybrid economy and hot hatch fun from the Golf GTE. But unless you plug it in every time it’s parked, it won’t save you as much on fuel as the Prius, and the standard GTI is more enjoyable when you’re behind the wheel. While low tax costs make it an attractive company car, to justify it as a private purchase you need the £2,500 Government discount.
Third place: Ford Mondeo Hybrid
We’ve found the regular Mondeo disappointing when compared to its family car rivals, and this Hybrid model trails as an eco warrior, too. Low emissions will be tempting for fleet users tied to the Ford range, but real-world economy isn’t very far ahead of the diesel Mondeo’s, while the compromises of the smaller boot and saloon body mean it’s not as practical.
Is it worth waiting for this model?
Kia Niro
Due: Summer
Price: £18k (est)
Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 138bhp
The Niro isn’t quite as efficient as the Prius, but its projected price and less flamboyant crossover styling will be attractive to many buyers. The twin-clutch automatic gearbox could boost its driver appeal over the Toyota, too.
Figures
| Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT Excel | Volkswagen Golf GTE Nav 5dr | Ford Mondeo 2.0 Hybrid Titanium 4dr | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £27,450/£28,100 | £35,760/£36,395 | £26,445/£26,990 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £12,600/45.9% | £15,663/43.8% | £9,494/35.9% |
| Depreciation | £14,850 | £20,097 | £16,951 |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £712/£1,425 | £357/£714 | £739/£1,478 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £959/£1,598 | £1,169/£1,949 | £1,305/£2,174 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 14/£504/A/£0 | 26/£533/A/£0 | 27/£650/A/£0 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £169/£219/£169 | £288 (2yrs) | £390 (2yrs) |
| Length/wheelbase | 4,540/2,700mm | 4,270/2,631mm | 4,871/2,850mm |
| Height/width | 1,470/1,760mm | 1,457/1,799mm | 1,482/1,911mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,798cc | 4cyl in-line/1,395cc | 4cyl in-line/1,997cc |
| Peak power/revs | 97/5,200 bhp/rpm | 148/5,000 bhp/rpm | 184/6,000 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 142/3,600 Nm/rpm | 350/1,600 Nm/rpm | 173/4,000 Nm/rpm |
| Electric motor/combined output | 53kW/121bhp | 75kW/201bhp | 88kW/184bhp |
| Transmission | CVT auto/fwd | 6-spd DSG/fwd | CVT auto/fwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 45 litres/repair kit | 40 litres/repair kit | 51 litres/repair kit |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 343/1,558 litres | 272/1,162 litres | 383 litres/N/A |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,370/435/725kg | 1,599/496/1,500kg | 1,579/671kg/N/A |
| Turning circle | 10.8 metres/0.24Cd | 10.9 metres/N/A | 11.5 metres/N/A |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 5yrs (100,000)/1yr | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | 10,000 miles (1yr)/181 | 10,000 miles (1yr)/223 | 12,500 miles (1yr)/781 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 8th/2nd | 22nd/30th | 25th/26th |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars | N/A | 94/89/65/5 (2012) | 86/82/66/5 (2014) |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 10.5/10.4 secs | 8.7/8.2 secs | 8.2/7.0 secs |
| 30-50mph in kickdown | 4.1 secs | 3.3 secs | 2.8 secs |
| 50-70mph in kickdown | 6.3 secs | 4.9 secs | 4.2 secs |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 112mph/N/A | 138mph/2,200rpm | 116mph/2,200rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 52.8/28.9/8.9m | 46.5/31.0/9.4m | 50.6/33.8/8.0m |
| Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 57.7/12.7/571 miles | 47.3/10.4/416 miles | 42.4/9.3/494 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 85.6/85.6/85.6mpg | N/A/N/A/166.0mpg | 100.9/56.5/67.3mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 18.8/18.8/18.8mpl | N/A/N/A/12.4mpl | 22.2/12.4/14.8mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 113/76g/km/13% | 138/39g/km/5% | 154/99g/km/14% |
| Airbags/Isofix/park assist/camera | Seven/yes/yes/yes | Seven/y/£150/£165 | Seven/y/£150/£250 |
| Auto box/stability/adaptive cruise control | Yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/£450 |
| Climate control/leather/heated seats | Yes/yes/yes | Yes/£1,750/£400 | Yes/£2,000/£2,000 |
| Metallic paint/LED headlights/keyless go | £495/yes/yes | £545/yes/£365 | £545/£900/£250 |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |