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The Toyota Prius may return to Australian showrooms, after the landmark hybrid mannequin was dropped from showrooms in 2022 when the newest technology was launched globally.
Talking on the 2025 Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo, Toyota Australia vice chairman of gross sales and advertising and marketing, Sean Hanley, recommended the hybrid hatch may make an Australian comeback.
“I wouldn’t rule out Prius sooner or later,” Mr Hanley informed CarExpert, including the Prius may have a spot within the lineup although the equally sized Corolla is already provided right here as a hybrid.
“It will depend on what variants it is available in … however I feel that the Prius does have a possible future [for Toyota Australia] to have a look at in Australia once more.”
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That might level to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model of the Prius as a candidate for native showrooms, with the Corolla at present solely obtainable in non-plug-in hybrid type – though this may occasionally additionally change for the subsequent technology Corolla, previewed by an idea proven on the Tokyo present.
The world’s first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius was launched in Australia in 2001 and was bought right here throughout 4 generations.
When the fifth technology was unveiled in late 2022, Toyota Australia confirmed it might not make its method right here, ending the Prius’ run after 21 years.
“We retired the model from the Australia marketplace for a time frame – that doesn’t imply we will’t revisit it,” Mr Hanley stated.
“I feel it’s a handsome automobile, and I feel – with out placing too nice some extent on it – we must always revisit it that, particularly in an NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] surroundings.”
The primary NVES was launched in Australia in 2025 and sees automobile producers dedicated to assembly set carbon-dioxide limits, which decrease every year over the subsequent 5 years.
Automakers are fined if the common emissions throughout all fashions bought right here don’t fall beneath the boundaries – which means some fashions may breach the boundaries however be offset by different fashions properly under them, such because the Prius, doubtlessly.
Serving to the trigger, the present Prius is made in right-hand drive for each Japan and export markets together with the UK and is produced in each non-plug-in hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variations.
Each use the identical 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine used within the Corolla Cross bought right here, with a single electrical motor for front-wheel drive variations and a second motor for all-wheel drive fashions.
The Prius HEV bought within the US has a finest claimed mixed gas financial system determine of 57mpg (4.12L/100km) from a 194bhp (145kW) mixed output powertrain – a near-match for the Corolla Hybrid bought right here, which makes use of 4.0L/100km.
Within the UK, the Prius is bought solely in PHEV type, with a 164kW/190Nm complete output and a 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack for an electrical vary of as much as 85km (WLTP) and 0.5L/100km mixed gas declare.
In mooting a attainable comeback, Mr Hanley stated nothing has been confirmed however the firm thinks the Prius continues to have attraction.
“What I’m suggesting is it’s a handsome automobile and other people will gravitate to it,” Mr Hanley stated.
When the Prius arrived in native showrooms in 2001 it was the one hybrid in Toyota’s lineup, with the Honda Perception – additionally not bought right here – the one different hybrid on sale on the time.
Quick ahead to 2024 and Toyota bought greater than 115,000 hybrids right here, nearly half of its total gross sales.
This included the Corolla Hybrid, which is an analogous dimension to the fifth-generation Prius, with each utilizing the identical underpinnings.
MORE: Discover the Toyota showroom
