Business Car trailblazers Toyota Prius
With the fifth-generation Prius on sale in the UK, we take a look back at all the previous generations of Toyota’s breakthrough hybrid model.
Martyn Collins
I can’t think of another car that caught the mood of buyers, defining hybrid models and the move towards electrification, more than the Toyota Prius. Right from the start of UK sales in 2000, this Toyota’s hatchback styling looked futuristic, and the fusion of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric-powered motor, which was combined by continuously variable transmission, was good for 100hp and over 55mpg. In the context of these figures, it’s worth mentioning even the most frugal diesel rivals at the time, could only just manage 50mpg. Although possibly the Prius’s neatest tech, was it could harvest energy through a regenerative braking system, The driving experience felt very average, with kinks in the hybrid system, as it was obvious when this Toyota was swapping between petrol and electric power. Still, five people could sit comfortably, and of the 1,500 registered, many are still earning their keep – mostly as taxis.
Whereas the first-generation Prius was very much testing the water, the second-generation car was a much more refined product. Outside, its styling looked more daring and modern, while inside the interior was more spacious and daring – with the gearchange on the corner of the centre console, and the large central touchscreen controlling many functions.
Underneath, Prius MK2 has Toyota’s second- generation hybrid system, the 1.5-litre petrol got more power (112hp), but at the same time fuel economy jumped to 65.7mpg, and exhaust emissions dropped to 104g/km. It could even be driven in full-electric mode for 1.2 miles at low speeds. Although any more power, and the petrol engine cuts in to both power the car and charge the battery.
Celebrity owners rushed to own and be seen with this Prius, but in the UK, with its 408-litre boot, Taxi
drivers were obvious adopters. The Mk3 Prius arrived in 2009, and at first look, seems like an evolution of the second-generation car. However, the MK3 had a sleeker design, equalling 72mpg, and impressive CO2 emissions at the time of 89g/km. At 11% BiK, it’s no wonder the Prius was such a hit with company car drivers. The low emission figure also meant that it was exempt from the London Congestion Charge – making the Prius again hot property with the private hire sector. The MK4 Prius followed in 2016, and whereas the MK3 was an evolution of the Mk2, the MK4 was somewhat of a revolution in terms of the distinctive styling, with the unusual vertical head and taillights, plus sharp metalwork. The interior design is equally interesting with its high-set instruments, and polished white highlights. Cabin space remains excellent, but the rear seats are only for two, and tall passengers will find their heads brushing the headlining thanks to the sloping roof. Available first as a regular hybrid, Toyota went on to offer a less popular plug-in version. All Prius MK3 versions are powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine, but in hybrid form, the power from this engine was increased by the electric motor powered by its own battery pack. Choose the Prius plug-in, and the battery is bigger, and can be recharged from the mains, giving an all-electric range of 34 miles.
Toyota revised the MK4 Prius in late 2018, with the first cars making their UK debut in 2019. Outside, there was light refresh mostly centred around the frontal styling. Inside, this Toyota boasted improved phone compatibility, plus an unpopular four-wheel-drive option.
Sadly, with the launch of the new Toyota Corolla Touring Sports in 2019, interest from the private hire market, which was by now the Prius’s key buyer, began to wane. The Corolla did largely what the Prius could do in a more conventional and modern package. With the MK4 eventually discontinued in the UK in early 2022. The cheapest Prius we could find second- hand, was a second-generation car with 184,000 miles for £1,800.
54 | September/October 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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