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Interested in new Prius PHEV in UK

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius23years, Jun 28, 2024.

  1. Prius23years

    Prius23years New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2024
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    Location:
    Derby England
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    Living in the UK I've had Priuses ever since my first NHW11 (Classic) that I bought in 2001. Followed by 2009, 2016 models and now I'm driving a Prius Plug-In (Gen 4) I got in 2021. I followed news of the 5th Generation Prius with interest, was disappointed when Toyota UK said at the time they would not be bringing it to the UK, and in fact I wrote to them expressing my disappointment. Of course Toyota UK have now done a U-turn and at the end of 2023 announced that they would be bringing the Gen 5 PHEV to the UK. My local dealer still hasn't got a demonstrator, I wrote to Toyota UK and they said they would be sending out demonstrators to their dealers by the end of June. I guess that may be somewhat delayed now, I wonder if the halt in production in Japan due to the rear door entry switch problem (production now restarted) I read about here has had an impact. Also useful to read about the problems some people have been experiencing with the shortage of key fobs and 12V battery problems (although problems with the discharge of the 12V battery after about 2 weeks of non use due to small standby current drain dates back to the original NHW11 lol). I gather that with the Gen 5 a software update has recently been rolled out to fix unintended current drains? So there's something to be said for waiting a year or so after a model first goes on sale before getting one; thank you to North American Gen 5 owners for being "guinea pigs" ;)

    One aspect I want to check out when I do eventually have the chance of seeing a demonstrator is the luggage space. I'm aware that the new shape of the Gen 5 means that the rear hatchback door slopes differently compared to the Gen 4 and I've seen it mentioned that the Gen 5 has less luggage space in the rear than the Gen 4. However I think that may only be true comparing the non plug-in versions. The Gen 4 PHV has a high load platform which is about 2½" above the level of the tailgate lip. This is because the 8.8kWh traction battery sits underneath the load area. I believe in the Gen 5 PHEV (Prime in US) the larger 13.6kWh traction battery is positioned underneath the car in the region of the rear passenger seats, so I expect that the load platform in the Gen 5 PHEV is lower, creating more space. This would appear to be borne out by the specs I've seen, laden to tonneau cover level with rear seats up the Gen 5 is 284 litres whereas the Gen 4 was only 191 litres.
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,046
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    all the best in your search, you're not the first from the u/k waiting for the demo's to arrive. the same problems worldwide.