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What's being said about the Toyota Prius?

Read the latest in Prius reviews from real customers
and news from press and the experts.

Press Reviews

Read what the press has to say about the Prius.

Keeping up to date with the latest model launches and technology developments is what they do best; find out what they think...

Exceeding expectations - What Car UK

The Prius has exceeded my expectations on almost every level. It's quiet, composed and sure-footed. It simply eats up the miles.

Silent power - Cumbria Life Motoring

The 'World's most advanced car.' The car drives away with silent power. Hybrid technology has been around for some time, but never has it been dressed in such stylish clothing or fuelled to provide sports saloon performance. With its combined use of electric power and a frugal 1.8 litre petrol engine, it only takes a few seconds to discover this to be a very clever motor car. It's only when at the wheel of the Prius that the car's technology makes its full impact... the futuristic and driver-friendly console is so well designed that all controls are at hand to require no more than a fingertip touch.

A technologically advanced car - Car Magazine Online

More spacious, more dynamically engaging and, perhaps more importantly... more fuel efficient and less polluting too. The interior manages to balance the futuristic concept car feel you'd expect from a technologically advanced car with a large helping of real-world usability. The seats are comfy, the dash simple and easy to use, the colours light and airy, visibility excellent. It's also incredibly spacious... for both front and rear seat passengers and a sense of relaxation pervades.

Smooth and quiet - Autocar

It's yet to put a foot wrong and is racking up the miles. It's been solid, dependable, reliable and economical transport. Those front seats are excellent. They are easy to get comfortable in, whether for a quick trip to town or a 200-mile cruise up the motorway and back. I like EV mode too. The option of running on electric power alone for short distances is useful in traffic... it's smooth and quiet.

Hybrids by the hundred for Lewis Day - Professional Driver Magazine

Fast-growing chauffeur and courier firm Lewis Day... has become one of the largest hybrid operators in the country. "We are keen to reduce our carbon impact so Prius' low emissions were of particular interest to us. We have found it to be the most reliable vehicle on our fleet and, servicing aside, these cars rarely need any repairs."

Respected Engineering - Top Gear

There are some blindingly clever technologies in the Toyota Prius... far more roomy than other eco-cars and if you keep economy in mind and drive gently it's also very quiet, especially in town where competing diesels rattle and vibrate. You've got to respect the engineering. Even in a car as complicated as this, there have been very few breakdowns.

Making a stand - The Guardian Online

When running only on its self-recharging battery, the thing is virtually soundless. It's sensible, safe and - you might almost say - puritanical. This is a car that doesn't just go, it also makes a stand. A lot of intelligence has gone into its design. For example, the MPH and SatNav arrows are displayed, by reflection, in the lower part of the driver's side windscreen - in plain view but not obtrusive.

Customer Reviews

Have your say on the Prius.

Straight from the people who have bought, or are thinking of buying the Prius.

Innovative vehicle - Mr Derrick Scholtka

I have a 2009 Prius T Spirit in black. I am more than pleased with just about everything on this car and congratulate Toyota for producing such an innovative vehicle.

Lovely to drive - Sue Welch

We took delivery of a Prius T4 a week ago. It is lovely to drive and will be a challenge to see how many miles we can get to the gallon once the engine has run in a bit. If the design is being reviewed I would suggest that the rear screen wiper could do with cleaning a bit lower, the clear part of the rear view is towards the top of the screen and being a rather short person I find that the bit of the rear screen that I need is still dirty.

A great investment - James

After previously owning a Toyota Auris I was really interested in the launch of the Prius and the additional environmental benefits it could offer with a similar style. I am now the proud owner of the Prius - it looks great, drives great and I have the added benefit of no road tax or congestion charge, a great investment all round!

Very happy - D.Gregory

We took delivery of our new Auris on 19th July and are very happy with it!

Easy and efficient - Billy

The smoothness of the drive along with the quietness of the engine made this one of the nicest cars I have driven in a long while. Having the car change automatically between the petrol engine and the electric power makes this one of the easiest and efficient cars on the road.

Test Drive Event - R. Cowling

Great event professionally presented by friendly staff. Look forward to a follow up invite when you launch your next (Avensis?) hybrid.

First Hybrid Experience - Michael

This event was very useful for me, as it gave me a good introduction to the new Hybrid Auris, and my first experience of a Hybrid car. Thank you to all the people involved they were very friendly and welcoming - it was all very well organized.

Ordered for October - M.Blake

Took another test drive from the local dealer (too short on the event day), and then ordered one for delivery in October. Many thanks to Alan who answered all our technical questions (very knowledgeable gentleman).

Write your own review

The New Star of
the Screen

The refined hush of a Toyota Prius interior makes a perfect mobile studio for the hilarious Carpool series of weekly celebrity interviews.

Presented by actor-comedian Robert Llewellyn, the show appears on Dave. Check out stars including Jo Brand and Rob Brydon in the online archive at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/.

Prius Myth Busting
with Carpool

  • It has toxic batteries!
  • The Prius is really slow
  • You need a special kind of fuel
  • There's no room for passengers!

Q&A

The experts have provided answers on frequently asked questions about the Prius.

These have been divided into categories to make it really easy to find the question you are looking for.

Ask a Question
  • Do I have to drive the Prius differently to a conventional car?

    Prius is simple to drive. Press the start button, engage the accelerator and go. Clear and intuitive controls ensure an easy and invigorating experience. The full hybrid technology is so sophisticated that you don’t have to do a thing to make it work.

    Aren’t the reported fuel economy figures for the Prius greatly inflated?

    No; the fuel economy figures are achievable due to the high powered motor and the 1.8 litre petrol engine that provide lower rpm at higher speeds. The Prius has been available in other countries since January 2009 and real world tests show that the stated figure of 72mpg are achievable.

    Is it ok to drive the Prius long distances on the motorway?

    Yes, the Prius utilises a 1.8 litre VVT-i engine along with a high powered motor to ensure that rpm is kept low at motorway cruising speeds. The 1.8 litre VVT-i engine operates at 300 rpm less than the previous 1.5 VVT-I engine at cruising speed meaning lower fuel consumption and a quieter drive.

    If I run out of petrol can I just drive using the electric engine?

    Theoretically yes, the Prius can drive up to 1.2 miles travelling at 31mph using electric power alone, however the petrol engine is integral for recharging the battery therefore we would never recommend running out of petrol.

  • What happens to the car if I have an accident, will the car become "live"?

    No, the Prius has substantial and integral safety systems that will isolate the live system in the event of an accident.

    Am I going to get an electric shock from the battery?

    No, in developing the Prius a major requirement was to take safety to an even higher level. A long list of advanced active and passive safety features ensure that the Prius matches the highest safety levels, both for passengers and pedestrians. The battery is therefore isolated within the vehicle to completely remove the risk of electric shock.

    Can I drive the Prius in the rain with all the electricity it produces?

    Yes, the Prius has been designed to be driven under any normal driving situation whether it be hot, cold, wet or dry. The Prius has been tested in environments such as the snow covered streets of Canada to the hot climate of Mexico and has excelled in both.

  • Are all hybrids the same?

    Not all hybrids are the same. There are 2 main types of system; series-parallel (full hybrid) and parallel (mild hybrid). Toyota series-parallel is the most versatile system, operating with a separate electric motor and generator. The generator, motor and petrol engine are free to combine harmoniously during your drive to provide maximum efficiency, performance and power generation. Uniquely, full hybrid means you can run on electric alone and recycle a maximum amount of otherwise wasted energy. The benefit: you use less fuel and emit less CO2. In short, full hybrid means full driving satisfaction. In contrast, the parallel system cannot benefit from simultaneous motor assist and electricity generation. The result is that you use more fuel and emit more CO2.

    Do I have to plug the Prius in to recharge it?

    No, Prius charges itself; ingeniously gathering surplus energy generated by braking and exhaust heat. You do nothing, just drive normally and let the car do the work.

    Do I have to switch between power sources?

    Prius automatically reads your use of the throttle to decide whether to drive with the electric motor, petrol or both – seamlessly flowing between sources. All you do is drive normally.

    Is it true that the battery life is very short and that it's expensive to replace?

    The hybrid drive train is covered by a eight-year/100,000 mile warranty for peace of mind. The hybrid battery in the Prius is designed to last the entire normal lifespan of the vehicle.

    Does the Prius emit any CO2?

    Drive up to a maximum speed of 31mph for up to 1.2 miles on electric motor only. You won't use a drop of petrol or emit a gramme of CO2. When you speed up and engage the petrol engine, Hybrid Synergy Drive® balances the flow of fuel with electric power to minimise emissions.

  • If I buy a Prius will I have to make sacrifices in other areas?

    At Toyota we are dedicated to maximising both driving pleasure and efficiency – in equal measures. The 136DIN hp engine provides powerful performance with world-class environmental credentials. Prius accelerates to 62mph in 10.4 seconds, providing outstanding driving dynamics and quiet top speed cruising.

    Is the Prius big enough to use as a family car for a holiday?

    Yes, the Prius has space for up to five adults and a large luggage capacity of 446 litres with the seats up, or 1120 litres with the rear seat down. Rear passenger headroom has also increased by 12mm compared to the previous Prius.

  • Do I have to take the Prius to a specialist mechanic for services/repairs?

    We would always recommend that the Prius is maintained at one of our Toyota service centres. All Toyota centres are able to service the Prius.

    With all that technology, is it more likely to break?

    No, Prius has come first in JD power awards both in 2007 and 2008 and also has the lowest warranty claim rate of any Toyota model.

  • Isn't the manufacturing process for the Prius harmful to the environment?

    Prius has a lower life cycle assessment impact than a conventional vehicle. Compared to a conventional petrol and diesel vehicle the CO 2 emissions of Prius are 37% less with similar figures related to the production process. Specifically designed eco-friendly factories use sustainable materials and processes at all stages. We recycle and re-use as many parts as possible. Our recyclable plastics are used to make features such as the instrument panels. Over 95% of the vehicle weight is recoverable and over 85% is recyclable.

    Shouldn't a 'green' car be smaller?

    The Prius is the perfect size for family, business and every day trips. Large enough to be comfortable and safe on long journey, small enough to be manoeuvrable and fun in town.

    Is the Prius expensive to run?

    There are no hidden costs. In fact the only secret is the extremely low overall ownership cost, the most economic in its class. Hybrid Synergy Drive® means you buy less petrol – and benefit from an eight-year/100,000 mile warranty on its hybrid components and a standard five-year/100,000 mile warranty for the rest of the car. Low maintenance costs, no road fund licence and high residual values.

    What is the difference between hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles?

    Electric vehicles are powered solely by an electric motor, operating efficiently at slow speeds only – without emissions. Hybrid vehicles combine the best of petrol engine technology with an electric motor to assist with powerful acceleration and high speed driving performance.

    Is it true that the Prius does not have to pay the London Congestion Charge?

    London commuters driving a Toyota Prius in and out of the city centre are exempt from the congestion charge once registered with Transport for an annual £10 renewal fee.

  • Q:Isn't the manufacturing process for the Auris harmful to the environment?

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    Q: Shouldn’t a ‘green’ car be smaller?

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    Q: Is the Prius expensive to run?

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    Q: What is the difference between hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles?

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    Q: Is it true that the Prius does not have to pay London Congestion Charge?

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