Where to for the Toyota Prius?

The spread of hybrids across Toyota’s range could eventually mean a change of role for the Prius and a reduction in the number of models on offer in Australia.

While it’s not something that could happen in the immediate future, Toyota Australia sales and marketing vice-president Sean Hanley indicated it was a course of action being considered.

“I think Prius as a name badge will always exist in our line-up,” he said. “It may take a different role in our line-up as time goes on.

“When we launched the Prius back in October 2001 … it was a technology-advanced car and I think that’s the role it will probably play for Toyota in the future.”

There are currently three Prius petrol-electric models sold in Australia; the small Prius C, the standard five-seat Prius and the seven-seat Prius V people-mover.

While the Prius V features lithium-ion battery tech, the smaller models use older nickel-metal hydride battery technology and none are plug-in. Compared to the new generation of plug-ins being rolled out by other car-makers, Prius is no longer a technology leader.

The Prius Prime (as it is known in the USA) is plug-in and uses lithium-ion battery tech, but is not sold in Australia.

Hanley said that could change in the future.

“We don’t have any immediate plans for plug-in in Australia, but we don’t rule it out in the future,” he said. “It’s not off the table, but it’s just not in our immediate plans.

“But without confirming it -- because it’s not confirmed – it could play that role in the future.”

Factors Toyota cites for not taking the leap into plug-in capability in Australia include the lack of public recharging availability, the cost of environmental testing for the local market and consumer confusion.

Hanley said that for now, Toyota Australia will continue to push the three-model Prius family’s ability to ‘charge while you drive’.

Apart from Prius, Toyota currently offers hybrid tech with its Camry and has expanded its Corolla offering from one to three models.

Other new (non-plug-in) hybrid models coming to Australia by around the end of 2020 include the new RAV4 hybrid, new Kluger hybrid, new Yaris hybrid, new Corolla sedan hybrid and a hybrid version of the C-HR.