Toyota Prius (2024 - ) review

The combination of reliability, efficiency and the affordable running costs they bring have endeared previous generations of Prius to hard-working drivers the world over, be they private owners or private hire. And this new one cleverly moves with the times, the adoption of plug-in hybrid power meaning more scope for driving round in electric only and the much-reduced CO2 figures company drivers will love for the savings they bring in Benefit In Kind. Even if you’re buying on your own money you’ll appreciate just how frugal the new Prius is, and how cleverly it manages the combination of electric and conventional petrol-engined propulsion to most efficient effect. True, you’ll need to be able to plug it in somewhere to really get the best of it. But even if you don’t it’ll just go about its business as efficiently as any previous Prius, albeit with a significant increase in performance to go with the stylish looks. Worth noting, meanwhile, that the 19-inch wheels on the fancier trim reduce your electric range by nearly 10 miles to 44 miles and also increase your CO2, though not by enough to bump you up a BIK band. You can, however, option the regular 17-inch wheels if you want to max out that EV ability.

This is an all-new model so we’ll have to reserve final judgement to a degree but, going on past experience, Toyota’s hybrids must be pretty reliable given the number of Uber drivers depending on them! If you commit to main dealer servicing Toyota will even keep the warranty active for up to 10 years (or 100,000 miles) in further demonstration of its faith in its tech.

Toyota is a cautious brand by nature, something you’ll see reflected in just how jumpy some of the driver aids and support systems are. Specifically, here’s looking (back) at you, driver monitoring system and your constant nagging for supposedly not having our eyes on the road. Even when we did. In some cars we’ve resorted to putting a bit of tape over the camera to silence the squawks but Toyota’s system won’t let you get away with that either, so it’s seemingly something you just have to live with. Cynicism aside, Toyota deserves credit for including all the safety gear as standard on both trim levels, and not hiding genuinely useful stuff like blind spot warnings and alerts for unseen traffic crossing behind you when reversing out of a space on the options list or more expensive models.

The sleek shape of this next-gen Prius looks good but won’t be as popular with Uber drivers and others who rely on space in the rear seat for passengers and room in the boot for their luggage. Legroom in the back is greater than before and the centre seat usable but you don’t have to be especially tall to find your head brushing the roof while the boot is quite shallow and has a bit of a lip to heave your stuff over, though there is at least some stash space for your charge cable under the floor. On the road the Prius meanwhile feels surprisingly substantial (thank the weight of the batteries for that) and rides very comfortably, though on some of the rougher Scottish roads we were driving it on the tyre roar was more intrusive than ideal, even with the noise insulated front windows you get as part of the top trim level. Other than that, the new Prius is sharper and more fun to drive than you’d expect if you’re coming from one of the previous models, while also very relaxing and easy to get along with when you just want to cruise in comfort.

Toyota keeps things nice and simple with just two trim levels and a generous ‘all inclusive’ policy when it comes to kit. So, even the standard one gets the full package of safety aids, Toyota’s connected navigation and infotainment system operating through a sizeable central touch-screen, dual-zone climate control powered by an energy saving heat pump, LED headlights and a three-pin domestic style plug in the boot. For reasons we couldn’t quite understand you still need to plug your phone in to charge, which is odd given the wireless connection to CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrading to the top trim just adds some garnish on the top with things like faux leather on the seats, privacy glass, a power tailgate you don’t really need, fancier combined daytime running lights and indicators and a smattering of gloss black trim elements on the outside. Oh, and those range-stealing 19-inch wheels that you can option back to the more efficient and comfortable 17s if you wish.

Performance in Prius terms has always skewed more towards efficiency than thrills. And while that remains true with this new one the sharp new looks are matched with a significant increase in power, and even hot-hatch chasing acceleration off the line. This comes through a new generation of hybrid technology, pairing a bigger petrol engine than before with a more powerful battery pack and motor combo. The engineering may be complicated but it’s refreshingly simple to use, given you just slip it into Drive on the automatic gearbox and let the system figure out the most efficient combination of petrol and/or electric power. Transition between the two is seamless enough you don’t really notice it happening unless you really stomp on the accelerator and the EV mode really is that, and so long as there’s sufficient battery charge it will run without firing up the combustion engine. If a little slower in this mode it’s still capable of keeping pace with surrounding traffic. Take your pick of plugging it into a charger or filling it with petrol as suits and you’re good to go, this flexibility to fuel as needs must realising the hybrid dream of the best of both worlds.