New style details, equipment features and colours for Europe’s only seven-seat hybrid
The Toyota Prius+, Europe’s market-leading seven-seat hybrid MPV, is being re-groomed for 2015 with new styling details, equipment features and colour choices. The first major changes for Prius+ since launch in 2012 give the car a stronger look that takes up Toyota’s latest design cues.
The revised front-end features a new upper grille and a more prominent Toyota badge that extends the forward line of the bonnet. There are new LED headlights, too, which use a cylindrical projector for both high and low beam. Their slim profile and contrasting black and chrome plating give Prius+ a distinctive sharp-eyed appearance.
The lower grille adopts the trapezoid shape that’s a common feature of the latest Toyota models. With a gloss black metallic finish, it adds emphasis to the car’s broad stance. The impression of width is reinforced by a re-working of the bumper corners, given extra emphasis in a flowing form that extends from the headlights to the new air intakes and LED daytime running lights.
At the rear there’s a new combination lamp design with “light guide” treatment and red inner lenses that give the car an individual lighting signature. Following the styling themes adopted at the front, there is a new licence plate trim and bumper with an integrated diffuser.
In Europe, two new body colours will be available: Dark Sherry metallic and Attitude Black mica (details of UK colours will be announced later).
Changes in the cabin include a dark silver metallic finish for the driver’s switchgear and the air conditioning dial control and a chrome finish for the door handles. There are two new chrome-trimmed, slim-line air vents in the centre console and a new 4.2-inch colour TFT information screen, controlled using switchgear on the steering wheel.
As well as basic information such as clock, trip indicator, cruising range fuel consumption, the screen also displays the Hybrid System Indicator and Energy monitor – features common to all Toyota hybrids. It also provides a new “Eco Judge” function, designed to help the driver maximise the powertrain’s efficiency, giving a points score for their eco-driving style.
The screen will also mirror the settings for the air conditioning and audio settings, keeping them in the driver’s line of sight when on the move.
The 2015 Prius+ is fitted as standard with the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system, including touchscreen control, Bluetooth and reversing camera. This can be upgraded – Toyota Touch 2 with Go – to provide additional satellite navigation, live traffic information and, via Toyota’s online portal, an expanded range of connected services, text-to-speech function and 3D city modelling with landmark graphics.
The equipment upgrade extends to the availability of electric seat adjustment, a front centre armrest and Intelligent Park Assist. Safety features have also been improved with the introduction of an emergency brake signal, which triggers all side indicators in the event of sudden braking. Hill-start Assist Control is automatically activated when the car detects an uphill gradient.
Toyota has also improved Prius+ ride and handling, making adjustments to the suspension damping force. New sound absorption material has been introduced in the side of the rear compartment to reduce noise intrusion in the cabin. The hybrid powertrain has been upgraded to comply with Euro6 emissions standards.
Full details of the UK model range, specifications and prices will be announced nearer the on sale date.
See also:
Toyota Prius+ review
Toyota Fuel Cell Sedan at 2014 Paris motor show
Toyota C-HR concept revealed at 2014 Paris motor show
Toyota i-Road at the 2014 Paris motor show
This is good news. My lease on the current model ends next year, and I’ve been pretty happy with it – interior styling has been the car’s biggest downfall until now, great that it’s being addressed. The hybrid powertrain is brilliant, and I don’t want to go back to non-hybrid or give up the seven seat option, so there really is no competition at this price point.
I see they’re still keeping the 1980’s 12-hour digital clock. It never ceases to amuse anyone who travels with me in the afternoon. And in a family MPV, there should be more attention to the comfort of those sitting in the two back rows. In the current model, there are no vents, no folding tables, only one power plug in the boot for the five people in rows two and three (there should be at least a USB port for charging in each seat, and the QI charging plate that’s making its debut in the Lexus NX would not go amiss between the front seats here). The pictures above don’t show the back seats – perhaps something has been improved, but removing the middle air vent from the center dash (the one that you would use to get some heat to the rear seats) has been removed, and that does not bode well. Unless those vents are there, if you don’t want your kids to freeze in the new model, you’ll have to freeze yourself, since the side vents are needed to keep the side windows clear.
I also presume that there will be no plug-in version, which is a shame. Still, a useful refresh, for the most part.
Thanks for your feedback about the new Prius + Timo, sorry about the clock though.
We will pass back your comments to the product team so they can take these on board during future product reviews. The points you make about more USB’s is an issue we are looking at across the range. No news about a Plug-in version unfortunately but do stay tuned to our Blog for the latest news.
No adaptive cruise though 🙁
I’m currently looking to replace my current company car, and the Prius + is on my list,
However I can hold back on placing my choice,
When can we expect this new version to be available to order, can you be a little more specific?
Hi Marc, thanks for getting in touch. It’s great to hear you’re interested in the Prius+. Good news – you won’t have too long to wait as the Prius+ will be on sale from quarter one next year. Hope this helps!
Any update on release of the price list for the new Prius+
Hello Gary
Thanks for your post and for your interest in the new 2015 model year Prius+.
We have checked this further with the product team who have advised that this information should be available very soon in the new year. The on sale date is still being finalised but do stay tuned to our Blog for the latest news.
Ordered the new Prius+ Excel Plus in Galaxy Black this morning, The price is cheaper than what I was previously looking to order in October… Very pleased I waited.
Regarding David Crouch’s comment, no new price list has been posted on the toyota website
Hi Gary
Thanks for the post about this. The prices should be going on shortly but if it helps the following are on the road prices but do not include any optional extras
Icon – £26,995
Excel – £29,245
Excel Plus – £31,245
Hope this helps.
I like some clarification re the hot spot accessory on the saloon. QA: will it be possible in the Prius plus? QB: I read it is not available with stop start? QC: On my second Prius hatch, but l love the space of the plus- ditto lack of rear USB points. However adore the new plug in. Sad about loss of rear middle seat..but in the absence of a rear wiper due to beautiful rear window. Can you confirm the rear camera can operate travelling forward? Or advise how the rear screen stays clear enough. Thanks, Nigel
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your post. We have spoken with our product team and they have advised us that the hot-spot accessory for the saloon has been discontinued until the 4G version becomes available. The Prius+ will still have the stop-start function and with regards to your third question, the rear camera will not operate whilst travelling forward. In terms of the rear window and whether or not it has a wiper, we are still awaiting a response and will keep you updated once we know more. Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any other queries.