New Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid 2017 review

The Japanese giant says it has taken onboard “customer feedback” and has conjured up a bigger-batteried second generation model that’s even more frugal and enjoyable to drive.

This week, the Telegraph & Argus joined invited guests in Catalonia as the new Prius plug-in was unveiled to members of the UK media ahead of its appearance in showrooms next month.

Notable technological breakthroughs include a world first solar roof to improve the electric vehicle driving range, albeit marginally, and a clever gas-injection heat pump air conditioning system. Of equal significance is the battery development work carried out by Toyota, which has doubled the car’s electric capacity meaning the EV driving range is now above 30 miles as opposed to the previous figure of 15 miles. Meanwhile, the car’s maximum speed in electric mode has been increased from 53mph to 84mph - another major leap forward.

After a short shuttle ride from Barcelona Airport, British motoring journalists got their first glimpse of the new Prius at the city’s remarkable wholesale flower market, a building notable for the striped multi-coloured panels on the roof that hint at the array of colourful flowers to be found inside. The dynamic-looking vehicles had been lined up and were being given a final battery charge inside the huge Mercarbarna-Flor building, which had been chosen as the location as its own energy-efficient credentials closely match the green aspirations of Toyota.

From there, the test route took us into the city centre to negotiate some tricky stop-start urban driving conditions - the natural habitat for such a car. A series of junctions and roundabouts were devoured with the minimum of fuss by the near-silent machine, which rarely clicked out of electric mode in the inner-city environment. When driving past droves of shoppers, it was clear that the car’s fresh looks and striking ‘aqua’ colourscheme were catching people’s attention, even in a city familiar with flamboyant design, typified by Antoni Gaudi’s weird and wonderful structures, which crept into view periodically as we weaved through the streets.

Toyota’s designers have been given greater scope than ever to produce eye-catching vehicles and, in the case of the Prius plug-in, that has translated into a car with model-specific front and rear LED lights, two tone 15-inch alloys, and a highly-aerodynamic design with longer front and rear overhangs. The most striking visual features are found at the back of the vehicle, where a rear spoiler combines with a new horizontal rear light signature.

Heading away from the metropolis on a coast-hugging motorway, the Prius showed its smoothness at higher speeds, typified by a lack of wind noise thanks to excellent cabin insulation. However, if you want the car to reach motorway speeds briskly, you’ll have to put up with a rather harsh whine from the engine as the vehicle responds to heavy acceleration with an audible protest.

Two plug-in cars during a coastal stop-off along the test route

As we turned off the motorway to head for an overnight stop at the idyllic Mas de Torrent hotel, the roads became steeper and twistier. In these Catalonian hills, the petrol engine would be called into action more frequently as the dual motor car decided which power source to use for maximum efficiency.

In a pre-dinner speech at the hotel, Fabio Capano, Toyota's European director of product communications and marketing, spoke passionately about what he described as the company's "long-term strategy to cope with the urgent environmental issue that we are facing."

Explaining the thinking behind the Toyota Environmental Challenge, he said: "By 2050, we want to reduce globally the Co2 omitted by our vehicles by 90 per cent compared to 2010."

He said hybrid vehicles were a "core technology" within that strategy, adding that plug-in cars provided a "much bigger ratio."

Neil Spires, the company's UK product manager, said Toyota expected to sell 40,000 hybrid vehicles in Britain this year, and added: "We are fordcasting 435 units for the new car, which is a cautious forecast."

Mr Spires confirmed that the Prius plug-in had qualified for the £2,500 Government grant for electric cars.

That means the Excel version costs £34,595 once the grant has been factored in, while the Business Edition Plus model comes with a post-grant price tag of £32,395, rising by £1,500 if you opt for the solar panels on the roof.

However, in Yorkshire's often-overcast conditions, you do wonder if you'd get full value for money from the solar panels, which are capable of extending the vehicle's electric range by three miles per day or 400 miles a year in UK city traffic.

In terms of its interior, it has a pleasant appearance and is equipped with an eight-inch infotainment screen with updated graphics.

There are just two rear seats separated by a central console, while boot space is somewhat restricted after the luggage deck was raised by 160mm to accommodate the larger hybrid battery.

All in all, this is a clever car containing some great technology. It really comes into its own as an urban EV but is also capable of stretching its legs and performing admirably on longer journeys.

Toyota Prius plug-in

PRICE: £32,395 (after Govt. grant)
ENGINE: 1.8-litre 4cyl petrol plus electric motor
POWER: 121bhp (combined)
TRANSMISSION: Continuously-variable transmission, front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE: 11.1 seconds op speed: 101mph
ECONOMY: 283mpg and  22g/km emissions

Will's Ratings

PERFORMANCE: ****
ECONOMY: *****
RIDE/HANDLING: ****
SPACE: **
EQUIPMENT: ****
SECURITY: ****
VALUE: ****
OVERALL: ****