Used Toyota Prius+ 2012-present review

Suppose you want to enjoy all the benefits offered by the regular Toyota Prius - and, as it’s the world’s most popular hybrid car, it seems many people do – but you need more seating space for your growing family, what do you do? You seek out the Toyota Prius+, that’s what.

By taking the third-generation Prius and stretching it and clothing it in a longer, reshaped body, the Prius+ has three rows of seats instead of two and seats up to seven people. Underneath the skin is the familiar 1.8-litre petrol engine linked to an electric motor, an arrangement that produces a claimed average fuel consumption of 68.9mpg in the Icon version, with correspondingly low CO2 emissions of just 96g/km.

Performance is distinctly average, but economy’s the name of the game here and the Prius+ can cruise around town silently in electric-only mode, albeit for a very short distance. To drive, it’s safe, if a little uninspiring, with a firm but reasonable ride and good levels of refinement, the only fly being the engine noise levels rising to unpleasant levels when you begin to push the Prius+ hard, as its CVT transmission can make the engine bellow.

Inside, it’s unexpectedly cheaply finished in one or two areas, and most other seven-seater cars offer more interior space, but Toyota’s build quality is legendary, so it should at least stand up well to mixed use. There are just two trim levels, and both are well equipped.

New, the Prius+ emerged as rather pricey in comparison with its rivals, but some of that price difference is swallowed up on the used car market, where its low emissions and diesel-free motoring will help it appeal to a great number of families on a budget.

It’s pricey new and it’s still a little pricey used. It’s possible to buy one for between £10,000 and £12,000 but it’ll have a high 100k-plus mileage, as a lot of them will have been used as mini-cabs. Up the money to £13,000 to £16,000 and you should pick up an early car with a lower mileage, though to get the mileage to a reasonable level and find a newer (2013/2014) car you’ll need to spend between £16,000 and £18,000. Splashing out £20,000 will net you a 2015 car, with an average mileage and a full history and bought from an independent dealer.

There is only the one engine option in the Prius+, a 1.8-litre VVTi petrol unit linked to an electric motor. The battery is the more modern lithum-ion style, rather than the nickel-metal hydride sort, and the Prius+ achieves an average claimed fuel consumption figure of 68.9mpg in Icon trim, and 64.2mpg in the Excel version. This equates to 96g/km of CO2 emissions in the former, and 101g/km in the latter, meaning that those cars registered before the April 2017 VED changes will be cheap to tax.

A basic service costs £185 at a Toyota dealership, and a full service is £335. As part of both, Toyota will carry out a free annual ‘Hybrid Health Check’ to ensure the battery and electric motors are working as intended. This is well worth doing because as part of it Toyota will give you an extra year of warranty on the battery right up until the car is 11 years old, regardless of mileage. If you have your car serviced elsewhere, you can still purchase this hybrid health check and the accompanying extended battery warranty for £39.

There is only the one engine on offer: the 1.8 VVTi unit, linked to an electric motor. There are, however, three distinct trim options. First, Icon is the entry-level trim, which comes well equipped with 15in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and a 7.0in touchscreen with a reversing camera, as well as a DAB radio and Bluetooth.

It also runs on 15in wheels, which means it’s the most economical version. It’s our favourite. Two other trims are offered, Excel and Excel+, each upping the luxury quotient.

Our favourite Toyota Prius+: 1.8 VVTi Icon

By virtue of being a hybrid MPV seating seven the Prius+ has few rivals. However, it’s worth considering the straight petrol and diesel-powered versions of the Ford S-Max. This is a better car to drive than most MPVs, with a comfortable ride and plenty of room for seven. Set against that are comparatively high CO2 emissions, and sat-nav is an extra in most trim versions.

Others to consider include the Volkswagen Touran, available with petrol or diesel engines, which is good to drive, has decent economy and a spacious interior, and the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, which comes with a classy interior, decent space for passengers and luggage and is well built.

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