SHOCK VALUE - Toyota Prius
Toyota’s refreshed UFO-looking ‘front runner’ has touched down in Mzansi
Despite being the poster child for the green revolution, opinion has always been divided on the Toyota Prius. You either love it, or loathe it. Personally, I have always loved it and what it has stood for.
The Prius after all, was the first mass produced hybrid vehicle, and is also the most successful, with well over 6 million units sold since it was first introduced in Japan in 1997. Now in its fourth-generation, the Prius has been mildly refreshed for 2019, gaining subtle styling tweaks and some minor tech updates.
Being the pioneer of hybrid-electric vehicles, one of the most popular questions asked about the Prius is “what sort of warranty does it come with?” You will be pleased to know that, with an 8-year/195 000 km warranty on the hybrid battery, you won’t be stranded on the side of the road. The warranty period on general items is 3-year/100 000 km whilst a 6-services/90 000 km service plan is included with intervals pegged at 15 000 km. And when you factor in its price of R490 200, you realize it is a small price to pay for a true hybrid vehicle.
As bold as the Prius is in terms of looks, Toyota sought to make minute updates to their hybridized hatchback. They restyled the front and rear bumpers of the Prius, adding a further 35mm to its length. This is said to give the five-door hatchback a more dynamic flowing appearance. It also gains slimmer headlights with bi-beam LEDs, and LED fog lights that are integrated into the restyled front air dam. The LED tail lights have also been revised, and mirror the shape of the headlights. Toyota have also added six new exterior colours to the Prius colour palette.
The cockpit of the Prius has been lightly refreshed for the new model year, with the redesigned centre console housing two cup holders, toggles for the seat heaters, and a wireless phone charger. The previously employed white colour treatment of the console has been replaced by elegant Piano Black.
As you would expect from a ‘tech-fest on wheels’, the Prius sports an impressive list of standard specification, boasting smart entry, climate control, dual-zone cruise control, reverse camera, Heads UP Display (HUD), rain sensing wipers, 6-speaker touchscreen audio and auto-dimming interior mirror. The standard safety systems are equally significant, and includes seven airbags, a full active electronic suite (VSC, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and Traction Control) and ISOFIX attachment points.
But outlandish looks and technology aside, the Prius is about fuel economy and emissions. It rides on the Toyota’s New Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform series (GA-C), and features a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two motor generators to produce a total system output of 100kw. More importantly, average fuel consumption is said to be as low as 3.7 litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions listed as 87 g/km whilst complying with Euro 6 emissions specification.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the Toyota Prius cost in South Africa?
The Toyota Prius is priced at R490,200 in South Africa, which is pretty decent value when you consider you're getting a proper hybrid with an 8-year/195,000 km battery warranty.
Q: Is the Toyota Prius worth buying in 2024?
The Prius is absolutely worth buying if you want proven hybrid tech, excellent fuel economy, and Toyota's legendary reliability, but only if you can live with its polarising UFO-inspired looks and don't mind being the eco-warrior at the braai.
Q: What is the fuel consumption of the Toyota Prius?
While the exact figures aren't specified in our test, the Prius typically delivers around 3.5-4.2 litres per 100km in real-world driving conditions, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars you can buy in South Africa.
Q: How long does the Toyota Prius battery last?
The Toyota Prius hybrid battery comes with an impressive 8-year/195,000 km warranty, and in practice, these batteries often last well beyond that with proper maintenance, so you shouldn't worry about getting stranded.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Toyota Prius in South Africa?
The Prius has very few direct hybrid competitors in SA, with the main alternatives being the Honda Insight (if available) or conventional fuel-efficient cars like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, making the Prius quite unique in our market.
Should You Buy It?
The Toyota Prius at R490,200 is a solid buy if you want to be an early adopter of hybrid tech without breaking the bank. It's the best proven hybrid under R500,000 in South Africa, offering unbeatable fuel economy, Toyota reliability, and that 8-year battery warranty that'll keep you sleeping soundly. Yes, it looks like something from a sci-fi movie and yes, you'll either love or hate the styling, but if saving fuel costs and reducing your carbon footprint matters more than turning heads for the right reasons, the Prius delivers exactly what it promises. Just don't expect to win any beauty contests at Cars and Coffee.
