2017 Toyota Prius review: exceptional economy - but is it still the world's best hybrid?

With the Government’s announcement that new sales of conventional petrol and diesel cars will end in 2040, hybrid cars - that is, those which combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor - will play an increasingly important role in our lives.

The Toyota Prius was not only the first such vehicle to capture the public’s imagination, but continues to push boundaries as far as hybrid technology goes. Now in its fourth generation, it promises the same low running costs and emissions as before, and is also available either as a conventional hybrid or a plug-in version with an electric-only range of about 30 miles. Rivals include Toyota’s own Auris hybrid, and the impressive Hyundai Ioniq.

Space 8/10

Depends which model you choose

2017 Toyota Prius plug in hybrid boot space

The Prius comes in two flavours. There’s the standard hybrid, which has a large - if shallow - boot, and the plug-in model which sacrifices much of its luggage space for its larger battery, although the underfloor storage space for the charging cables is neat. In either you’ll manage to carry a couple of large cases, but if you’re buying a Prius to use as a family car the plug-in is best avoided.

The plug-in Prius also makes do with two rear seats rather than the regular model’s three, although in both you’ll find that legroom is good. Access and headroom are a little compromised though on account of the sloping roofline.

In-car storage is also better in the standard Prius than the plug-in, although even the latter is perfectly adequate. 

Comfort 8/10

A big improvement on older Prius models

2017 Toyota Prius plug in rear seats

When the Prius is running on electric power it is delightfully quiet. What impresses more is just how smoothly the petrol engine cuts in when needed, and so long as you’re not accelerating hard it is a perfectly pleasant companion.

Go for an overtake or tackle a steep hill and the engine revs will flare on account of the Prius’s electric CVT gearbox, but even then this fourth-generation model is much more refined than its predecessors.

There’s decent adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, and the Prius feels solidly planted on the motorway. It's also better over low-speed bumps and potholes than its predecessor, particularly if you opt for the standard model rather than the heavier plug-in version.

Dashboard layout 6/10

Looks futuristic, feels a bit dated

2017 Toyota Prius plug in dashboard

Gadget fans will love the huge digital display at the top of the dashboard, which shows everything from your speed and fuel economy to what’s going on with the car’s petrol-electric drive system.

Most other functions are controlled through a rather lacklustre touchscreen. Not only are the graphics a bit basic, but there’s also a noticeable lag between being able to select letters when entering an address on the satnav, and you can’t order Apple Carplay and Android Auto either. The lack of a rotary control for the volume won't be to all tastes.

While the quality of materials have been improved compared with the old Prius, there’s still a lot of hard plastics. The two-tone colour scheme does, though, liven things up. 

Easy to drive 7/10

Let down by restricted rear visibility

2017 Toyota Prius plug in driving rear

The Toyota Prius has a two-piece rear window, with a horizontal dividing bar running right across your field of vision, so it’s just as well a rear-view camera is standard across the range. Even with the camera, though, reverse parking is trickier than it should be due to over-shoulder blind spots.

More positively, the steering is direct and not too heavy, every model comes with a CVT automatic gearbox and the hybrid technology can be left to determine how it delivers its power in the most efficient way.

If you buy the plug-in model you can also choose when to use the electric power and when to put it into hybrid mode, which is great if you want to save your battery charge for city centre driving at the end of your journey.

Fun to drive 6/10

Not fast, but it handles well enough

2017 Toyota Prius plug in driving front

It was once the case that the only fun to be derived from driving a Prius came in trying to extract the maximum economy from it. While that challenge remains, the latest model is also much more composed than its predecessor, resisting body lean and turning in keenly, thus ultimately allowing you to carry more speed. The heavier plug-in model is less impressive in this regard, particularly against plug-in rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE.

A drive mode button near the gear lever also allows you to select a ‘Power’ setting that gives a satisfyingly instant response when you accelerate, even if outright speed is very much not what the Prius is about.

Reliability 9/10

Both Toyota and the Prius have good records here

The number of high-mileage Prius taxis around is proof of the model's excellent durability. And while the latest model is too new to have been included in any reliability surveys, the fact it uses the same engine and electric motors suggests it should be equally as robust.

Toyota provides a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which beats the three years of cover that most manufacturers offer, but can’t quite match Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited mileage package for the Ioniq, or the seven-year warranty you get with a Kia Niro.

Fuel economy 7/10

Dependent on the type of driving you do

2017 Toyota Prius plug in driving side

The standard Prius averaged more than 90mpg in official Government tests, while the plug-in version recorded an amazing 283mpg. However, it’s important to bear in mind that both are more sensitive to driving style than a diesel-powered car.

With a Prius it's all about gentle acceleration and making the most of the car's momentum. In normal driving, you're likely to see about 60mpg from the standard car, or upwards of 65mpg from the plug-in (or much more if you are prepared to charge it every 30 miles or so). You can also order the plug-in model with an optional solar panel which is said to add about three miles per day to the car’s range - assuming the sun’s out.

Affordability 8/10

A bit pricey, but it holds its value well and makes a cheap company car

The Prius costs more to buy a diesel car such as a VW Golf, but it also attracts lower company car tax bills, while strong resale values keep leasing rates competitive.

For private buyers it still costs the same to tax as most petrol and diesel cars, despite its low emissions. The plug-in model does though qualify for the Government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant, but even with that factored in it’s thousands of pounds more expensive to buy than a regular Prius, let alone a Hyundai Ioniq.

Safety 9/10

Available with the latest safety systems

2017 Toyota Prius plug in safety controls on steering wheel

The latest Prius scored a maximum five stars from crash test organisation Euro NCAP. All models feature Toyota's Safety Sense package, which includes a road sign recognition system and lane departure warning, plus sensors that can detect other cars and pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes if they calculate that an impact is imminent.

Blind spot monitors with rear cross traffic alert (this warns you of vehicles crossing your path when you are reversing out of a space) are available as options. 

Standard spec 8/10

Even the entry level model scores well

2017 Toyota Prius plug in solar panel in roof

The entry-level Active Prius features dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, keyless entry and Toyota's touchscreen system including DAB radio.

Upgrade to Business Edition and the spec includes a wireless phone charger, head-up display, heated seats and leather steering wheel, while Business Edition Plus also includes front and rear parking sensors and satnav.

Top-spec Excel models add leather upholstery and an improved audio system. The Prius Plug-in is only available in the higher two trim levels.

Our favourite version

1.8 VVT-i Hybrid CVT Business Edition, list price £25,015

Options you should add Metallic paint (£545) and Parking Pack consisting of front and rear parking sensors (£550)

The verdict 7/10

Much improved over its predecessors, the latest Toyota Prius can deliver exceptional economy in town and brings low company car tax bills, whilst also being pretty spacious and decent to drive. The plug-in version looks better still on paper, but in reality it’s difficult to justify the extra cost. Remember too that a Hyundai Ioniq is several thousand pounds cheaper than either.

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