Q: Did 2004 Prius ever have a powered lift gate for hatch?

unfortunately no. not ever an option. you can install new struts cheaply enough, and a few here have added an aftermarket lift. big job though

 

To the best of my knowledge, powered hatch lift capability was never factory installed on the 2nd Generation (2003 to 2009) Toyota Prius.

I do know some of the top of the range Japanese models had a TV built into the MFD (Japanese TV stations only, unfortunately). They also had a (20GB..?!) HDD built into the dash, where MP3’s could be uploaded and used as a juke box.

The Swedish models had an electric heater element built in for windscreen de-icing during the winter months - it may have had heated wing mirrors too.

None of the above features made it into the UK models, which was a shame.


Source: iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB ? Pro

 

The struts on mine still work, but only enough to hold the trunk up, it needs to be lifted slightly before it will open by itself the rest of the way. I think this may actually be close to the ideal amount of lift, since "full power" OEM struts flex the roof structure when the hatch is fully open, and that cracks the metal, and then water leaks occur. (Or maybe they flex it when the hatch hits the limit of its vertical motion while moving rapidly upwards, it could be that just holding the hatch up is not enough to cause cracks.) So perhaps you might want to replace yours with somewhat less powerful struts than the OEMS.

Anybody know:

The number of Newtons a new OEM strut is supposed to provide?
The minimum number of Newtons provided by the struts which is sufficient to open the hatch and hold it open?

When it came time I was considering just replacing one, to keep the total force low, but I fear that might cause a twisting force on the roof, so that it would do more harm than good.

 

A relatively inexpensive repair.

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS 1.5L L4 ELECTRIC/GAS Lift Support | RockAuto

 

I kept a previous hatchback long enough to replace the struts a couple times to prevent this 'attack'. The spouse still has another hatchback of similar vintage. I think I replaced its struts three times, now she just uses a broomstick to prop it open.

 

mine lack some oomph on cold days. hit my head a few times, seen a few stars

 

Just get a set of new struts. Ten minute self help repair.