If one car is synonymous with hybrid tech, it’s Toyota’s Prius. Many people assume this was the UK’s first petrol-electric model, even though the original two-seater Honda Insight beat it to market by a few weeks.
The Insight is long forgotten, though, and even the more practical second-generation version of the Honda has come and gone.
But Toyota hasn’t struggled to get traction in the hybrid market like its Japanese rival. It has now sold more than 200,000 petrol-electric cars in the UK, most of which are examples of the Prius. We’re now on the fourth-generation version and, as you might expect, it’s the best yet.
Models covered
- • Toyota Prius Mk4 (2015-date) - Award-winning hybrid is dependable and efficient, but not cheap to buy used.
Toyota Prius Mk4
History
The original Toyota Prius hit UK showrooms in 2000 (having been launched in Japan in 1997). Its successor followed in 2003 and the third-generation model came in 2009.
Toyota opened the order books for the Prius Mk4 in November 2015, with the first cars being delivered to owners in March 2016; a Plug-in model arrived a year later.
All versions featured a 1.8-litre petrol engine that was boosted by an electric motor fed by its own battery pack; power was sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable (automatic) transmission.
A revised Prius was shown just a few weeks ago, and the first cars will reach dealers in the spring. For the first time ever there will be a four-wheel-drive option, as well as better smartphone connectivity and a light exterior refresh.
Toyota Prius Mk4 reviews
Toyota Prius in-depth review
Toyota Prius review
Toyota Prius Plug-in review
Toyota Prius long-term test review
Which one should I buy?
There aren’t too many decisions to make when working out which Prius is right for you, because you’ve got just two powertrains to choose from (the Plug-in and the regular hybrid) and four trim levels – or just two for the Plug-in model (Business Edition Plus and Excel), which now carries a minimal premium over the regular Prius.
The entry-level Active trim on the regular Prius offers 15-inch alloys, LED headlights, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control and electrically folding door mirrors.
Business Edition adds wireless phone charging, a blind spot monitor, heated front seats, upgraded trim and a colour head-up display. Business Edition Plus features self-parking and 17-inch rims, while Excel brings leather trim and an upgraded JBL stereo.
Alternatives to the Toyota Prius Mk4
If you want a hybrid that isn’t a plug-in, two worth considering are from within the Toyota fold: the C-HR and the Lexus CT 200h, both of which use a powertrain similar to the Prius’s. The CT is getting on, but the
C-HR looks hi-tech and is a great car that’s let down by a lacklustre transmission.
Don’t fancy a Toyota? The Hyundai Ioniq looks more conventional than the Prius and is a little cheaper, although its hybrid drivetrain isn’t quite as sleekly integrated. Other rivals include the biggest-selling PHEV in the UK: the Mitsubishi Outlander. It’s an SUV, so sits in a different segment from the Prius, but it does the same job in that it’s a five-seater family car with PHEV technology.
What to look for
Safety kit
Blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all models, with the exception of the entry-level Active.
Spare wheel
Every Prius has a space-saver spare tyre as standard, but a full-size wheel can be made to fit if you would like the added peace of mind.
Tech
Useful features such as auto high beam, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control are standard across the range.
Safety rating
When Euro NCAP crash-tested the Toyota back in 2016, it declared it the safest large family car available to buy.
Interior
The dash design is certainly interesting, but is somewhat confusing initially. The quality is good rather than excellent, although it must be said that refinement levels are superb.
Cabin space is good overall, but the Plug-in model has just two rear seats, and headroom comes at a premium because of the sloping roof. Boot capacity is pegged at 502/1,633 litres, or 360/1,204 litres for Plug-in models.
Prices
You can buy a nearly new Toyota Prius for between £18,545 and £28,995 on our sister site BuyaCar.
Running costs
Whether your Prius is a Plug-in or a regular hybrid, it’ll require maintenance every 12 months or 10,000 miles. The initial sequence is Intermediate (at £185) then Full (£335), but at 60,000 miles and then again at 100,000 miles the car needs a Full Plus service, which costs £395.
At five years old, a Prius qualifies for Silver (£120) and Gold (£200) services, under Toyota’s Essential Care discounted maintenance programme for older models.
There’s no cambelt fitted, but at 100,000 miles or 10 years the coolant needs renewing, with fresh brake fluid required every two years or after 20,000 miles. The cost of these is included in the relevant service.
Recalls
The Prius Mk4 has been recalled four times; the first in November 2016 was for a potential parking brake failure on 4,617 cars. A week later, 691 models were called back over a front passenger airbag issue. In December 2017, three cars were recalled over a faulty hybrid powertrain capacitor. A final campaign last September addressed a potential fire risk in 32,000 UK examples of the Prius and Prius Plug-in, as well as the C-HR hybrid.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
An impressive fourth place in our Driver Power 2018 new car survey shows how supremely accomplished the Prius is. It notched up quite a few top-five places – including for its engine and transmission, safety, running costs and reliability – while ride and comfort were also highly rated by owners. The lowest score the car received in the poll was for practicality.