Advert
If you’re looking for a hybrid seven-seat people-carrier then the Toyota Prius+ , with emissions from just 96 g/km CO
2
, is your answer.
The Prius+ is the only seven-seat model on the UK market to come in below the 100g/km CO 2 threshold for zero road tax and London congestion charge exemption – as such, it’s also likely to be of interest to organisations such as private hire firms in London.
The Prius+ is available in two grades – T
4
and T Spirit. Only the Prius+ in T
4
trim comes in below the 100g/km CO
2
threshold, producing 96g/km. Output from the T Spirit – its main external difference being 17-inch rather than 16-inch alloys – is 101g/km – just 1g/km over the threshold for London congestion charge exemption . Fuel economy is 68.9mpg for the Prius+ T 4 and 64.2mpg for the T Spirit.
The Prius+ is also the first mainstream Toyota hybrid to use a lighter and more compact lithium-ion battery pack. Installing the battery within the centre console avoids any intrusion on the space available for rear seat passengers and for load carrying. Five separate folding rear seats are provided. With all of these in place, there is 200 litres of luggage space; with the third row stowed, this figure rises to 505 litres.
The T
4
is equipped with electric windows all round, Toyota Touch touchscreen control , Bluetooth, rear-view camera, head-up display, Smart Entry and Start, panoramic roof and automatic air conditioning.
The T Spirit features 17-inch alloys, leather upholstery, Toyota Touch and Go Plus with satellite navigation, voice recognition, advanced Bluetooth and on-line connectivity, plus rain-sensing wipers and JBL audio system.
The Prius+ T 4 costs £26,195, the Prius+ T Spirit costs £29,495. It’s available to order now, with customer deliveries from 9 July 2012.
