Toyota Prius+ Launce Date
It’s been a longtime coming, but finally Toyota has announced the launch date of its much-anticipated hybrid 7-seater. The Prius+, as it will be known in Europe, is set to hit dealerships in the UK on July 9, more than a year after it first debuted in Japan and eight months after it was first made available in the US. What with the Japanese tsunami last year delaying its introduction, this is perhaps the most hotly anticipated 7-seater for years.
Prius+ Launch Date July 2012
Toyota Prius+ Price
So what can we expect from the first hybrid 7-seater to arrive in the UK? In terms of price, it’s a very respectable £26,195 ranging up to £29,495 for the top-of-the-range version, the T Spirit. The third row is designed for children only really, a trade-off that is common on many family crossover 7-seaters. This becomes particularly necessary for a vehicle required to stow away an ion-lithium battery and must keep weight to a minimum to secure that all important fuel efficiency. In terms of cargo space, there are 200 litres at the back of the vehicle when all the seats are being used and just over 500 litres when the third row is folded down.
Toyota Prius+ Fuel Efficiency
The fuel efficiency produced by this vehicle is nothing short of outstanding, especially for a car so large. The basic trim level manages 68.9 miles per gallon producing just 96g of C02 per kilometre. That’s just 1g of CO2 per kilometre above the European standard set for 2020. The top trim level is not quite so good for the environment, or your wallet for that matter, but it still does a whole lot better than your average minivan. Fuel efficiency comes in at a very decent 64.2 mpg, while C02 emissions are 100g per km.
Toyota Prius+ Decent Standard Features
In basic trim there are a plenty of decent standard features, so don’t just opt for the top trim level without working out exactly what you need (and don’t need). At no extra cost come 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker touch-screen audio system, Bluetooth mobile connectivity, a rear-view camera, electric windows and rain-sensing wipers.
Toyota Prius+ Upgrade to Leather
Upgrades include leather seating, an additional two speakers on the sound system, voice recognition and 17-inch alloys. The exterior is part minivan and part saloon. Indeed, Toyota has itself referred to the Prius+ as a minivan, but in truth it doesn’t look anything like as bulky as what you might expect. It is much sleeker than a traditional vehicle of this kind, which is partly explained by its efficient use of space, despite the battery on board.
Toyota Prius+ 7 Seater - Interior Seating
Toyota Prius+ Green Car of the Year
That seems like a pretty good deal for a car that is already winning numerous plaudits. It has already claimed Green Car of the Year for 2012 as awarded by the Green Car Journal, and it was shortlisted for the Car of the Year Japan. In addition, the Green Car Report gave it joint top prize this year in the category Best Car to Buy alongside its sister vehicle the plug-in hybrid. In other words, thePrius+ look looks like a surefire winner.
