Hello, Guest!
 
 

 
 
  Objects Tiiips Categories
Prius Plug-in
"Prius Plug-in: pros, cons, costs and common fixes"
by Al222 (23249 pt)
2025-May-20 17:54

Toyota Prius Plug-in (fifth-generation XW6)

Toyota’s latest plug-in Prius is a sleek liftback that pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 223 hp and 0-100 km/h in roughly 6.8 s. A 13.6 kWh lithium-ion pack delivers up to 86 km of electric range (WLTP), while official fuel use drops to 0.5–0.7 l/100 km and CO₂ to about 11–17 g/km.


PRO

What works well
Why it matters
Class-leading efficiency
Owners see 14–15 kWh/100 km in EV mode and 22–25 km/l once the battery is depleted, trimming both fuel and power bills
Strong performance
Instant electric torque makes overtakes effortless; 6-second sprints rival many turbo diesels
Comprehensive ADAS
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (adaptive cruise, lane-trace, AEB, sign recognition) is standard across the range.
Aerodynamic design & optional solar roof
A Cd of 0.27 and a roof panel that can add up to 8.7 km of range per sunny day boost real-world efficiency.
Battery warranty extension
Annual Hybrid/EV checks allow coverage to stretch to 250 000 km, easing long-term ownership anxiety.
Transparent servicing costs
Scheduled maintenance runs roughly €250–300 per 15 000 km, on par with simpler full-hybrids.

CON

Possible irritants
Details
Tight boot & rear head-room
The sloping roof leaves just 284 l of luggage space and limited headroom for tall passengers.
Restricted rear visibility
Small back window and thick pillars mean the reversing camera is essential.
Entry price
List starts around €43 000 and climbs past €51 000 when fully optioned.Toyota IE
Needs frequent charging
Skipping nightly top-ups blunts the fuel-saving advantage versus a regular hybrid.
12 V battery drain reports
Some early cars experienced auxiliary-battery discharge, fixed with a software update or replacement battery.
Rear-door latch recall
A recent service action replaces both rear door opener switches to prevent accidental opening.

Common issues & indicative costs

Area / part
Typical symptoms
Parts (€)
Labour (€)
Total (€)
High-voltage battery (13.6 kWh)
Reduced EV range beyond very high mileages
1 500–3 500 (reman/new)
≈250
1 800–3 750
Auxiliary 12 V battery
Car fails to “wake up” after long park
150–220
30
180–250
Brake pads (axle)
Squeal or longer stopping distances
30–90
60–90
95–180
Discs + pads (axle)
Vibration when braking
110–200
90–135
200–335
Rear-door latch recall
Door may unlatch in motion
parts free
free
0

Pricing snapshot

Trim
Indicative list price
Active
≈ €43 000
Lounge
≈ €44 000
Lounge +
≈ €51 000
Nearly-new, delivery-mileage cars
from high-€30k region

Verdict

The Prius Plug-in lets most commuters drive electrically all week yet keeps a petrol engine on tap for long hauls, achieving exceptional real-world economy without range anxiety. Rapid acceleration, a full ADAS suite and Toyota’s extended battery warranty add further appeal. Downsides are a modest boot, coupe-like rear head-room and a price tag that eclipses many standard hybrids—plus you must plug in regularly to realise the headline 0.5 l/100 km promise. If your daily round trip is under 70 km and home charging is easy, the Prius Plug-in can slash fuel stops to just a handful per year; otherwise a conventional hybrid Corolla may deliver 90 % of the savings for less outlay.

Evaluate