The new Toyota Prius Plug-in has been declared the 2017 World Green Car. It marks the second consecutive success for Toyota in this prestigious annual award, following the win of Mirai in last year’s ceremony.
Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota USA, accepted the award at the New York International Auto Show. He said: “It is a great honour to see Prius [Plug-in] named World Green Car. For global automakers like Toyota, this award is a testament to our focus on developing products that both stir the emotions and meet the mobility needs of our customers in all corners of the world.”
Prius Plug-in was chosen from an initial entry list of 12 new models. The World Green Car award was determined on criteria including exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and advanced powertrain technology aimed at increasing the vehicle’s environmental performance.
Prius Plug-in: Best Large Family Car
Built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture as the petrol-electric Prius, the second-generation Prius Plug-in has also been recognised as one of the best environmentally efficient cars on the market. In fact, the model has been named winner of the large family car category in the 2017 Next Green Car awards.
Announcing its verdict, Next Green Car declared: “With class leading electric range, CO2 emissions, and fuel economy, the Prius Plug-in moves the game forward for PHEVs. Arguably at its best when in EV (electric) mode – feeling faster and more responsive – the Toyota Prius Plug-in is a car that is very easy to drive efficiently.”
Mark Roden, Toyota GB Sales Director, said: “Prius Plug-in really delivers the best of both worlds. It has a class-leading EV range of more than 30 miles, beyond which it can call on a full tank of fuel to eliminate any concerns the driver might have about whether the car can reach its destination, and avoid the need for careful journey planning. With a full battery charge now only taking two hours to complete, it delivers practical, reliable electric vehicle technology without compromise.”
Learn more: Toyota Prius awarded for all-round excellence
Prius Plug-in: insights into a winner
The Prius Plug-in represents a significant leap forward in Toyota’s plug-in hybrid technology. Compared to the first generation model, the new car can cover double the distance – more than 30 miles – and achieve much higher speeds in all-electric, emissions-free driving.
It benefits from a number of new technologies that increase efficiency, performance and practicality, significantly enhancing the model’s all-round appeal. Technological breakthroughs include a dual motor drive system and battery warming system, plus three world firsts: range-extending solar roof, gas-injection heat pump air conditioning, and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic tailgate.
Learn more: Outstanding firsts of the Toyota Prius Plug-in
It’s a shame it only comes with four seats otherwise I would have purchased it long time ago, hopefully they make a five seat version then I be at the dealership in no time
Hi Pany,
Thanks for getting in touch. We’ve taken your comments in to consideration and passed it on to our product team.
Many thanks.
I have noticed that the US version of this car has a heated steering wheel. When is Toyota going to have heated seats and steering wheels as an option on all their Hybrids? Note that you can get better winter mpg in a hybrid, with these items, as you can keep the interior temperature lower when your hands and body are warmed via steering wheel and seats. If the Nissan Leaf can do it ….
Hi Mike,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We have no information of heated seats or steering wheels becoming available in the UK.
We will pass your feedback onto our Product team.
Thanks.
Hi
I have the original model Plug in, but can’t see a thread relating to it so hope it”s OK to post here, and that my comments will be helpful to anyone buying a new Plug in as their “car to keep”.
When new my 2012 Plug in would do near to the quoted 15.5 miles on a charge. In particular, my regular 13.2 mile trip was always possible with electricity to spare.
These days I’m getting only 8 or so miles on a full charge, and even driving very carefully I can’t complete my regular trip.
At the recent service I asked about getting the battery replaced under the 8 year warranty.
I was told firmly that the car had passed its annual hybrid system check, so the battery is fine.
No amount of discussion would persuade them the battery is not fine.
I gather the hybrid system check measures the voltage and internal resistance of each cell and compares it with all the other cells, which would obviously highlight one failing cell, but it does not include a discharge and charge test to measure the battery’s actual capacity. If all your cells deteriorate at the same rate the test will be passed.
I remonstrated further with the dealer, and they agreed to ring Toyota and get back to me. Apparently Toyota said the same- failing the hybrid system check is their only criterion for allowing battery replacement under warranty. I’m really upset by Toyota and their dealer’s attitude- “We’re telling you your battery is fine so you telling us your car won’t go as far as it used to must be wrong”.
When purchasing my car, I carefully worked out if the cost premium over a standard Prius was worth it on the basis of fuel costs saved over the 8 years the battery was guaranteed for, assuming I managed 2 charges per day. The benefit was marginal, but fascinated by the then new technology I went ahead anyway.
The present state of the battery not only messes up my calculations but the car is reaching the point where I find it’s hardly worth the bother of plugging it in- the petrol engine running its warm up cycle in the last few miles of the regular trip uses a disproportionate amount of fuel.
Does anyone else here have any experience of plug in battery problems and of persuading Toyota to replace them under warranty?
Thanks
Pete
Hi Pete,
Thank you for contacting us and we are sorry to hear that you have felt disappointed with your experience. We have liaised with our Customer Relations team who will be in contact to assist you further.
Thanks.