Toyota unveils its new Prius rechargeable available in five-seat configuration

© Toyota

The new rechargeable Toyota Prius has increased functionality, with an extra seat at the rear. 

Toyota has just introduced the new version of its rechargeable Prius, with some exciting little new features. Toyota's hybrid-electric star has decided to unveil a model to boost sales of a vehicle whose first generation was marketed more than twenty years ago. On the menu: a passage of four to five seats and the addition of new body color.

One more seat and a new color

This is undoubtedly the major novelty of the 2019 vintage of the rechargeable Toyota Prius. The Japanese manufacturer has made a change in its cabin from two to three seats in the rear with the addition of a central seat, for a vehicle that can now accommodate five occupants. It was a defect, almost an oversight, for a sedan. Toyota has decided to erase it by removing the fixed armrest while preserving the comfort of the car.

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The interior has been further modified with new upholstery and replacement of the white inserts located in the seats and at various points of the board, from white to black. The Prius can be darker inside, but also outside, with the arrival of a new black metallic color, which obviously comes to slice with the other colors of bodywork until then available (dark gray, blue tints red or white).

Up to 50 kilometers in all-electric thanks to the optional solar panel

On the technical sheet side, the Prius remains on a 100% hybrid engine with a consumption of 1.3 l / 100 km and emissions of 28 g / km of C02remain low. There is an engine that develops up to 122 horsepower with a 1.8-liter 98-horsepower petrol engine coupled with two electric motors. The autonomy in 100% electric remains of 45 kilometers with a maximum speed of 135 km /h. 

The all-electric range of the rechargeable Prius can climb up to 50 kilometers thanks to the solar panel installed on the roof, which is however optional. Since the launch of the V4 in 2016, Toyota has sold 1,700 rechargeable Priuses equipped with solar panels, or 1.7 million kilometers driven by the sun each year.