Best in class
Whole-life cost analysis: C-segment plug-in hybrids
Toyota’s Prius is back as a plug-in hybrid – but can the newest member of the electrified C-segment take the crown against key rivals?
Toyota Prius Martyn Collins
Think of a car that defined hybrid models and the move towards electrification, and we bet you’ll picture a Toyota Prius. Over six million were sold across five generations, before the last, which was available as a plug-in, and additionally the Prius+ MPV, was discontinued in 2021.
Previously a fleet hit with private hire buyers, the reason for its discontinuation was they turned to the British-built Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate instead. The quirky, but more modern, CH-R appealed more to other fleet drivers.
This current Mk5 Prius was originally launched two years ago, with the company line being that it wouldn’t come to the UK because of the lack of
Residual value: 39.9% Depreciation: £23,950 Fuel costs: £5,421 SMR: £3,204
demand. Well, now it’s back on sale in the UK, only as a plug-in, because enough customer demand is now said to exist.
This Prius is a very different proposition from the four generations before it! Let’s start with the low and sleek styling. Inside, you look over the top of the small-ish steering wheel to see the high-set instruments – Peugeot i-Cockpit style.
Move to the back, and legroom is good – although tall passengers’ heads will be brushing the curvy roofline
in the back, thanks to the design. The smaller 284-litre boot will keep taxi drivers in their Corollas.
Underneath the curvy body, the Prius is powered by a 152hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, mated to a 163hp electric motor, equalling a total output of 223hp (not the 300+hp expected, as neither the engine nor motor go to maximum
Toyota Prius Excel
P11D: £39,900 CO2 (tax): 17g/km (8%) BIK 20/40% a month: £53/£106 Fuel consumption: 41.4mpg National Insurance: £36.70 First year VED: £0 Subsequent VED: £180 Engine size/power: 1,987cc + electric motor/223hp AFR: 15p
power at the same time). To get all this power to the road, the Prius is fitted with Toyota’s electronic continuously variable transmission, called E-CVT, which, in practice, mostly acts like a conventional auto.
Elsewhere, the 13.6kWh battery for the plug-in system lives under the back seat and gives a decent 53 miles of EV-only power – equalling an 8% BIK figure. Then there’s the 17g/km emissions, and 41.4mpg consumption. Although the entry-level Design equipment grade is expected to be the best fleet seller, the range-topping Excel is more competitively priced against the set of rivals here. Sadly, despite the EV range and BIK figure, the Toyota is in third place due to its middling fuel cost, NI and depreciation figures.
54.29p Cost per mile
56 | November/December 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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