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| Launch Report Toyota Prius |
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Fit The Third
The first Prius was launched in Japan in 1997, and then in Europe three years later. Ground-breaking it may have been in so many ways, but pretty it was not. The better-looking and much improved second-generation version hit the streets in 2003, but it too remained something of a niche vehicle. Now comes the third-generation Prius with 30% more power than the first one, a 23% improvement in fuel consumption, a 26% drop in CO2 emissions and further improved looks. It's this Prius, priced from £18,370, that Toyota intends to become properly mainstream. Obviously one shouldn't expect a car so frugal to be a rocketship, and the Prius isn't. Its three driving modes – EV (electric only), Eco and Power play a significant role in how the new Prius drives and performs. Maximum combined power of the new and bigger 1.8-litre petrol engine (up from 1.5 litres) and the new, more compact 60kW electric motor is now 134bhp, and this, along with an electric CVT transmission and an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.25, give it adequate but not exactly blinding performance.
The new Prius isn't a stellar handler either. At 1370-1420kgs (depending on spec) it's only marginally heavier than a Toyota Auris, for example, but on the 15" alloy wheels the chassis doesn't feel particularly lively, spirited or "chuckable". It steers and grips well enough, and it can be hustled along a sinuous country road fairly briskly, but it's some way off being an enthusiastic driver's machine. I'm told the new Prius is a little sportier to drive on the optional 17" alloys, but I didn't get to try those for myself. On the 15-inchers it rides comfortably enough at medium to high speeds, but at lower speeds, eg around town, the Prius can feel a bit intolerant of lumps, ruts and nasty surfaces. Although Toyota refers to the Prius as a D-segment or Avensis-sized car (their wheelbase dimensions are the same), it's probably better to think of it as midway between an C-segment Auris and an Avensis, to use other Toyotas as comparisons. Which is to say there's ample room for four, and sufficient space for five. Front-seat comfort is good with a handy storage area under the neatly-designed "bridge" centre console. The 445-litre boot (seats up) is generously proportioned and features an underfloor stowage area. (The largely recyclable, fan-cooled battery sits under the rear bench seat). The whole cabin is light and airy with both comfort and space aplenty in the rear seats too.
It almost goes without saying that he new Prius has been engineered to achieve the full five stars in the latest, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test, and features include an Electronically-Controlled Braking regeneration system (ECB) that helps recharge the battery as well as flashing the rear brake lights during heavy braking. The ECB also helps the brake pads toward a life expectancy of over 60,000 miles, but the artificial hydraulic system installed to help give the brake-by-wire system a more normal feel at the pedal isn't quite there yet. Perhaps not surprisingly, some potential Prius buyers have been wary about the reliability of the hybrid drivetrain, its batteries and related systems. But fear not. For the past two years the outgoing Prius came first in the Lowest Problems category of J D Power surveys in the UK, France and Germany, while more recently it also came first in the Upper Medium section of J D Powers 2009 UK Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study. The Prius is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty (extended to five years/60,000 miles for the hybrid system components, battery included) and, interestingly, the Prius warranty costs to Toyota are lower than for all other models. More subjectively, it looks and feels very well made.
So, that's most of the basics covered, but there's some icing on the cake. At £21,210 for the top spec T-Spirit version there are many less expensive, similarly-sized cars to choose from, but £0 annual road tax (courtesy of an 89g/km CO2 figure) certainly helps – as does a sophisticated satnav system running from a 40Gb hard drive, of which 11Gb is available for your own music. Strangely, and rather inconveniently, there’s no USB or SD card connectivity, but there is Bluetooth connectivity, a rear parking monitor, Intelligent Park Assist (the car steers for you), automatic air-conditioning, intelligent cruise control, smart entry on all doors and automatic headlamp leveling. Options include solar powered ventilation and remote aircon to cool the car's interior before you get in, but, for reasons unknown, the roof-mounted solar panel isn't available with the sportier 17" wheel option.
On the launch Toyota was unable to come up with a plausible explanation for this, but it's suspected that the combined weight of the 28kg solar panel and the bigger wheels and tyres might just push the car over some homologation weight limit. Still, if you want the world’s most fuel-efficient family car, that little conundrum is unlikely to deter you.
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