For The Toyota Prius+ has class-leading environmental performance and decent interior space and versatility.
Against It looks expensive next to similarly sized rivals, and the interior materials have a cheap look and feel.
The first seven-seater hybrid MPV, the Toyota Prius+ comes brimming with common-sense ideas, but you’re going to have to pay handsomely for them.
The Toyota Prius+ is far more than a Prius with a bit more space. Not only does it use a completely different (and more efficient) battery system, Toyota has also tuned the car specifically to take into account its extra size and weight. It has a new set-up for its suspension, a fresh calibration for its electric power steering and overall gearing reduced by 13% to help provide a little more performance.
As for its packaging, perhaps the most instructive comparison is to the Avensis estate. The Prius+ is substantially shorter and narrower, yet – despite packing seven seats instead of five – offers almost as much luggage space when the rearmost seats are folded.
It’s sold with two extremely well equipped trim levels, but even so it looks dear next to similarly sized rivals. However, with CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km (on the cheaper model), it will certainly appeal to company car users.