Toyota changes its mind – new Prius will go on sale in UK next year

Toyota has changed its mind about launching the new Prius in the UK, and the car is now set to go on sale next year.

Earlier, Toyota had killed off the hybrid model in the UK, citing tumbling sales and a switch to SUVs, with the Prius-based C-HR model taking over as the top-selling lower-medium hybrid model in the Toyota range.

The Prius was extremely popular as a private hire vehicle, but Toyota has offered the Corolla Sports Tourer estate as an alternative in the sector.

When the new Prius was revealed last year, Toyota said it would not be sold in theUK, claiming: “The new model represents a very different proposition to its predecessor, alongside a clear shift in UK consumer demand towards more SUV-style vehicles.”

But it is now believed that the Prius hybrid hatchback will be offered in the UK next year, especially as a plug-in hybrid ,which would make it acceptable to be licensed in London as a PHV.

Prius is available with two powertrains: a front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre 191bhp parallel hybrid with, and a four-wheel-drive 221bhp plug-in hybrid. The PHEV uses a 13.6kWh lithium ion battery that offers 53 miles of driving under electric power alone.