MOTORING REVIEW: Prius PHEV is now more than just an eco warrior

THE FIRST I saw the Toyota Prius, I thought it one of the least attractive looking cars on our roads but this pioneering hybrid went on to become a world wide hit.

Fast forward from 1997 to the present day and this fifth generation of the model, exclusively available as a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), is a world away from that original dull looking car. It is now one of the sleekest, most dynamic lookers on sale here and I believe will attract buyers for its looks alone. It is simply stunning from every angle. The aerodynamically streamlined body style cuts drag and improves efficiency. The car sits 50mm lower than previously and is also significantly wider and shorter. A caveat: we found that the low roofline impacts getting in and out of the car for tall people and also limits rear head and legroom.

My car, in a vivid Tokyo Gold exterior colour was certainly eye-catching but there are six other more ordinary colours to choose from.

The cabin is inviting with a simple, uncluttered dash and clean look. The raked windscreen seems very far forward and I found the size of the rear view mirror mounting - that includes cameras and sensors - takes up so much space on the windscreen that it obstructed my visibility when approaching, and stopped at, traffic lights. Though A-pillar windows and Toyota’s thin A-pillars do aid driver visibility somewhat.

The dark interior was softened by the mid grey roof lining, and some nice embellished silver trim. Seats in synthetic leather upholstery looked well and proved comfy; the driver’s has lumbar support and two memory seat settings. The main feature is a 12.3-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, navigation, MyT Connected Services, and smart voice assist. The screen has a dark background which shows off the coloured graphics to perfection. Below are a row of buttons for the air con, dual zone climate control, and controls for the front seat heaters/ventilation.

A 7-inch driver information display screen is set high and far ahead on the dash almost in the driver’s line of sight. It shows your digital speed and where the power is coming from as well as how many kms are available in the battery. The gear drive selector is on the flat of the central console and I found it works well. There are six USB small Type C ports throughout the cabin.

Boot space is akin to that of a normal hatchback and there's a tyre repair kit below the floor.

Power is from a 2.0 petrol engine outputting 223hp, an electric motor and 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The PHEV has a WLTP rated 71kms in electric drive on a single charge which allows many owners to drive in EV mode to and from their workplace. For longer trips, the powertrain switches seamlessly to the petrol-electric hybrid system so you never have to worry about range anxiety. Three drive modes are Eco, Sport and Normal. You can also select EV mode to drive in all-electric mode.

Toyota claim a possible fuel consumption figure of 0.7 L/100km (that’s 336mpg!), but in real use my car showed 4.6 L/100km (61mpg) when I returned it to Toyota.

Safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 3, with a Pre-Collision system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist and motorbike detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, front cross traffic alert, a Blind Spot monitor, and rear view camera.

On the road, this latest Prius is a pleasure to drive. Nice and quiet and super comfy. While it’s not exactly sporty, it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8 secs. It also offers a smooth ride and seemed to glide over poor road surfaces. Steering is quite direct.

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Charging the EV battery takes time as the maximum rate of charge for the battery is just 3.3kW so it’s best to charge at home or at your workplace as you won’t be welcomed at a fast DC public charging station, taking up valuable time for someone waiting to charge their fully electric car. Charging from a domestic socket takes around 6hrs, or 4hrs from a home wallbox.

Toyota offers a manufacturer’s warranty of 3yrs/100,000km; a hybrid warranty of 5yrs/100,000km for all hybrid components including the hybrid battery; and up to 15yrs/unlimited mileage hybrid battery warranty once the car is serviced with a Toyota Dealer.

The Toyota Prius is priced from €46,530. Annual road tax is €140.