What’s the Point of the Prius Any More? We Asked Toyota’s Deputy Chief Engineer

This news is already three years late, as the Gen 5 Prius has been outdated since the debut of Arene and TSS 4.0 on the 2026 RAV4 HEV/PHEV. There is a slight chance a Gen 5½ Prius with Arene and/or TSS 4.0 might arrive this fall, but we will see.

 

I suppose the point is that it was Toyotas flagship hybrid. probably tough to put it to bed. at least they are selling a little better, but I'm sure they've been cannibalized by all the other hybrids and Bev's.

 

Consumer Reports recently bought a 2026 RAV4 XLE Premium HEV and is already giving rave reviews. The only complaints are the large center console and the “trucky” interior design.

 

oh, I thought this was a prius thread, sorry!

 

Honestly, everything in that interview was said during the gen5 launch back at the end of 2022. Go back and read the first wave of press releases, interviews, and watch the initial press conference. It's not word-for-word, but it's super close.

 

Cool link, thanks!

 

The Rav4 does get great reviews, but none of those reviews suggest comparable handling. It's possible that SUV avoiders will want driving characteristic that aren't optimized in an SUV.

I would think that quite a few people would prefer a Corolla hybrid to a Prius just because the Corolla interior is so intuitive and normal. Part of the Prius cache is weirdness and the current model has enough weirdness to both repel and attract.

I've been in a Rav4 and bought a Sienna and in both I was struck by how far down I had to look to read the instrument cluster.

 

When the Prius becomes pointless...so does Priuschat.

 

If not for the popularity in Japan, I believe there wouldn't be a gen5. The availability of a Corolla hybrid in multiple flavors killed the no plug Prius in Europe. While the Corolla is available in Japan, it is sold through special stores, not the basic Toyota dealer.

 

I swapped out by Prius Prime for Rav4 PHEV SE and have had the new car a week. It is a much bigger feeling car and driving is very different than my Prius. I have been surprised though, by how fun it is to drive. More comfortable and quieter than the Prius, visibility is great. I really don't need such a big car (even though it is a "small" SUV) but the plug-in is what works well for my use. If Corolla had a plug-in I would have looked at it and likely bought it.

 

I hardly ever need a larger car than a Prius either, but it would be nice to have the room to chuck more in without packing things up strategically. One aspect I found attractive about the Rav4 is that it isn't any harder to park than a Prius, but the extra room is considerable.

The Rav4 looks to be objectively more practical and easier to live with, but I've spent so many years complaining about people in SUVs that I have an irrational antipathy for the format. I might miss being able to drive in the rain without using my wipers too.

Nice car.

 

At least it is not a mini van.

 

They need to make Prius specific behavior/benefits for it alone. It was "The Hybrid" now its just a sharper looking and more costly hybrid. Camry and Corrola sales are eating it, so Toyota still wins, but no extra effort in the powertrain. Thats why I think a smart play would be to leverage the Plug-in battery for EV driving under 30 mph and make them all prime or plugin etc. Needs a specialty angle besides looks cool at Camry prices and its just slightly larger that a Corrola with a hatch.

 

We are going on 4-years on the 5th Gen Prius yet I don't see very many of them out on the roads. I see a ton of 4th Gen and Rav4's and Highlanders around here and get excited to see the new Prius....still looks like an Aston Martin to me, which is a good thing! I plan on driving one, someday, when I visit my dealership (which is becoming more rare....I just use them to buy parts these days.)

Watching old movies, it's always humorous to see the 1st Gen Prius painted yellow and used as Taxis....boy those things were NOT made to be good looking!

It's interesting to see folks on the Toyota Nation website asking questions about their new Toyota which is now a Hybrid. (Rav4's, Highlanders, Sienna, Camry, Tundra, Venza, and Corolla.) There, definitely, is a learning curve with the hybrid.

 

toyota needs a plug in somewhere between the prius and rav 4.

 

The customer needs it. I'm not sure Toyota needs it.

 

good point

 

A big majority that made Prius popular have gone to Tesla. Toyota then made a Camry with high mpg and Prius pricing along with the Rav4 sharing the Camry platform with more utility. Rav4 for the win.

 

I'm one to keep my vehicles until they die, but if Toyota brought back the Gen2 touring with the current bells & whistles, I'd be SO tempted to ditch my less than a year old Gen5! So few vehicles have any character or personality today but you KNEW you were driving a Prius with the Gen2; Gen5 - meh.