2019 Toyota Prius PHEV Arrives With One Extra Seat, Trim Upgrades

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has been revised for the 2019MY, adding some new gear and retaining the rest of the functions available in its predecessor.

The biggest news is the addition of an extra rear seat, raising capacity from 4 to 5 people on the rear bench. Toyota claims that the bench offers the same levels of comfort as before.

Also new for the 2019 Prius PHEV is the Galaxy Black Metallic exterior color and optional 17’’ alloy wheels.

Also Watch: Toyota Prius PHEV Promises Much, But Does It Deliver?

Inside, the plug-in hybrid adds black accents that replace the white trim. New fabric trim is also on offer, providing “a higher sensory quality feel to the interior”, according to Toyota.

Elsewhere, the Prius PHEV remains unchanged. It achieves up to 1.3 l/100 km (217.3 mpg UK / 180.9 mpg US) and emits 28 g/km of CO2. Electric range is up to 45 km (28 miles) in real-life conditions and in pure battery mode has a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph).

Part of the smart technologies used by the Prius PHEV is the heat pump which, unlike other cars that generate heat from the engine or electric heaters, brings heated air from outside. It also features a battery warming system that keeps the cells at an efficient temperature, ensuring that efficiency and battery power are maintained at a sufficient level to minimize the impact of cold weather on the zero-emission driving range.

Unique to the segment, the solar panel remains part of the accessories list, being capable of providing an extra 5 km (3 miles) each day to the total range.