Toyota Announces 2012 Plug-In Hybrid Prius Starting At "Only $32,000"

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) here today at the annual Green Drive Expo for two new hybrid vehicles, the Prius v and Prius Plug-in.

Since 1997 to present day, the Prius has been the dominant leader in hybrid technology worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the Prius has sold more than one million units since 2000. The all new Prius v and Prius Plug-in are the two newest hybrid vehicles to help make up the Prius Family. A fourth new member, the city-friendly Prius c, will launch in 2012.

Prius v The first new member of the Prius Family, the Prius v , will meet the needs of
growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally
found in the Prius DNA including Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. The Prius v will
provide 58 percent more cargo space than the Prius Liftback, and at 34.3 cubic feet, it
has more cargo room than 80 percent of the small SUVs on the road today. Despite the
spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA
fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, the highest
fuel efficiency of any crossover, SUV or wagon on the market.

The Prius v will have three configurations to help provide an easy ordering process, the value-driven Prius v Two, the well-equipped Three, and the premium level Five. All Prius v models come equipped with a wealth of standard comfort and convenience features including a new 6.1-inch Display Audio system with integrated backup camera, Bluetooth® and USB port, 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, single-dial climate control, EV/ECO/Power modes, driver door Smart Key System, instrument panel with driver feedback displays, Toyota's Star Safety SystemTM [which includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Smart Stop Technology] with power lumbar support and much more.

Prius Plug-in
The third member of the Prius Family, the first-ever Prius Plug-in Hybrid, combines the benefits of the third-generation Prius Liftback's Hybrid Syndergy Drive with extended electric vehicle (EV) range, in a package that is priced more competitively than any plug-in hybrid or pure EV on the market. It will feature a new Lithium-ion battery, which supplements the superior fuel economy of the Prius with an extended electric-only driving range of up to 15 miles at a maximum speed of 62 mile-per-hour. By Toyota estimates, it will deliver an estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and when operating in hybrid mode will achieve an estimated 49 MPG3, providing drivers with great fuel economy without range anxiety. The Prius Plug-in also offers convenient charging times of only 2.5-3 hours using a standard 120V outlet or 1.5 hours using 240V.

The Prius Plug-in will share many of the same exterior and interior design elements as the 2012 Prius Liftback. Design features exclusive to the Plug-in include unique chrome grille and bumper trim, chrome door handles, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, blue-accented headlamps, a distinct tail lamp design, and a new Hybrid Synergy Drive Plug-in badge.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two models, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid model comes equipped with an abundance of standard features including heated front seats, Remote Air Conditioning System (which can run either off the grid while the vehicle is plugged in or off the battery like the third-generation Prius Liftback), a charger timer, EV/ECO/POWER modes, three- door Smart Key, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune1 and an integrated backup camera, LED Daytime Running Lights, 15-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, enhanced Multi-


The Prius v Three adds standard Display Audio with Navigation and the Entune1TM multimedia system (includes SiriusXMTM Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription, HD Radio® with iTunes® Tagging and text-to-speech with programmed and customizable test responses).
In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door Smart Key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, fog lamps and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius v are $26,400 for the Prius v Two model, $27,165
for the Prius v Three, and $29,990 for the Prius v Five. The Prius v will arrive at Toyota
dealerships in late October.

2012 PRIUS FAMILY PRICING
The Prius Plug-in Advanced model adds additional standard features including Premium HDD Navigation with Entune2 and JBL® GreenEdgeTM, Plug-in Hybrid Applications through a user's smartphone (Charge Management, Remote Air Conditioning System, Charging Station Map, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard), Head- up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, LED headlamps with auto on/off feature and integrated fog lamps, SofTex-trimmed seating, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, Safety Connect and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is $32,000. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced will have an MSRP of $39,525. Both Prius Plug-in models are expected to qualify for a federal tax credit of approximately $2,500.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be on sale in 14 launch states beginning this October through Toyota's Online Order System at www.toyota.com. Vehicle deliveries begin in Spring 2012. The launch states include California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. A national rollout is planned for 2013.

The MSRP for the 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $760. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Leviton Level 2 (240V) Home Charging Stations
Leviton, an approved provider of Level 2 (240V) home charging stations, has developed a residential program exclusively tailored for Prius Plug-in customers. The program will include the following:

• A one-stop solution for home charging stations, installation services for 120V and 240V applications, and dedicated support for Toyota customers;
• Level 2 (240V) 16-amp and 30-amp home charging stations designed exclusively for the Prius Plug-in (UL-certified, compact design, easy-to-use, and made in the U.S.A.);
• Industry-leading pricing for Level 2 (240V) with basic packages starting as low as $999;
• Toyota-dedicated e-commerce web portal (leviton.com/Toyota) with product information, order tracking, and other features.

Prius Plug-in customers will be able to take advantage of Leviton's special pricing beginning in early October.

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Lexus - 9/16/2011 4:03:57 PM

+7 Boost

That is really impressive MPG if you ask me. Good job Toyota and keep up the good work.

topneuro - 9/16/2011 4:10:23 PM

+5 Boost

Pass, may get a Nissan Leaf for less, $25,280 after tax savings.

800over - 9/16/2011 5:00:07 PM

-6 Boost

If you can live with a sub 100 mile range it's a good decision.

topneuro - 9/16/2011 6:47:03 PM

+6 Boost

Ahh, Range anxiety, so overated.

When internal combustion engines replaced horse carriages the fear was spontaneous combustion and exploding cars.

http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/09/range-anxiety-drop-off/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35352973/ns/business-autos/t/electric-vehicle-range-what-me-worry/

Joe_Limon - 9/16/2011 8:13:42 PM

-2 Boost

Range anxiety is over rated? Hmm lets analyze this, the Leaf was certified with a 73 mile range. If you live 20 miles away from work you can get there and back with 33 miles to spare! But if you need to go pick up groceries, the kids from school, go see a movie, go to a friends, etc etc etc. You will only be able to travel 16.5miles away without being completely stranded!

Range anxiety is a very real concern.

800over - 9/21/2011 5:46:49 PM

+1 Boost

I'd like to know if the deboosters disagree with my statement that the Leaf is a good car...or if they disagree with my statement that it'll only work for people who don't need more than 100 miles of range?

Joe_Limon - 9/16/2011 4:43:31 PM

-6 Boost

Wasn't the plug in prius supposed to be Toyota's answer to the Volt?

Fijian - 9/16/2011 9:00:10 PM

-3 Boost

Right.Fifteen miles at 62 miles per hour.Sorry that you cannot do even in the slow lane.Most of the time traffic flows at 70 and you get some current Prius owner trying to keep the car at optimum fuel consumption doing 55.

Joe_Limon - 9/17/2011 2:45:32 AM

-6 Boost

Thats a lot of facts, but you're missing the two most important ones. Namely, max distance for pure ev (only 15) operation and equivalent miles per gallon aka mpge of 87 vs the volts 93. Basically, unlike the volt which can be used as a pure ev for over 70% of all driving scenarios, the prius plug in is much more dependent. If your goal in buying this 'plug-in' was to eliminate your fuel dependency, then you could barely travel 7 miles away from home before the point of no return and you wouldn't be able to travel at highway speed.

Joe_Limon - 9/17/2011 11:35:01 AM

-5 Boost

You still never commented as to why you left out the two main glaring facts about this car. Personal bias?

thetruth01 - 9/19/2011 1:50:55 AM

+9 Boost

I'll answer those points, Joe. First, the Volt is some $8-10,000 more for 6 more mpge, so even tho the Plug-In Prius has a slightly lower mpge, that is more than offset by the up front savings. Second, 15 miles is sufficient for electric only, because then the Prius reverts to the highly efficient regular hybrid of 50mpg, something the Volt cannot do after its battery is deleted. The Volt has to rely on its weak, inefficient engine.

uaw_lax - 9/18/2011 4:53:35 AM

-6 Boost

12 miles per charge whoop de do.

t_bone - 9/18/2011 11:44:07 AM

+4 Boost

I'd be interested in seeing if a straight-up battery swap would be possible to increase range. (We all know they could do more, but they are dosing this stuff out to keep the continuity of their business model)

Joe_Limon - 9/18/2011 12:16:00 PM

-4 Boost

I don't think a battery swap will allow this car to cruise at highway speeds in ev mode.

Arsen89 - 9/18/2011 12:18:15 PM

+6 Boost

Well honestly Joe I don't we, as a society are fully ready for a full out electric vehicle. Sure the prius all electric 15 mile range is was below average but it is still a hybrid car. Maybe in the relatively short commute you have a full electric works. I have to go to classes in the morning and internship at night in a total commute that is 50 miles all around, and that is when nothing else comes up, which in my internship something always may come up. Therefore, its nice to have a hybrid system as back up. So it depends on the person, for many of us an electric car is not a valid option, and hybrid is a nice way to not get stranded. I think that once Electric car technology becomes more advanced and brings range to more than a 100 miles it will be more the car adapting to my needs than me adapting to the car needs.

toyfan - 9/19/2011 1:10:30 AM

+8 Boost

Joe, you state that the Prius gets 6 mpge less than the Volt. . .
Lets give you the benefit here and say that you are right. I'd still take the Prius! And yes I'm biased because it is a much better product!!!
It is roomier (bigger), has double the range and it costs substantially less! I'm not going to get into tax credit because that has nothing to do with when you actually buy them (i.e. if you have to finance).
In real world driving, it is easy to get a Prius to go into electric only. Once the Chevy is done with it's juice, the gas engine stays on until that things gets plugged in. That is a huge advantage towards the Prius! and one that tells me that it probably costs less to operate than the Volt!
The Volt is not as advanced as the Prius!

Joe_Limon - 9/20/2011 10:43:40 AM

-5 Boost

Sorry, but I'm not about to argue with someone who ignores facts.

Hoorayforpeepee - 9/20/2011 12:38:27 PM

+7 Boost

My brother in law owns a Taxi service that specializes in Airport to city transit, they have about 5 fleet requests for the Prius Plugin, the car makes so much sense, here in Quebec the car will start at around 38K all taxes in, Canadian dollars, minus an 8000$ Gov rebate and a few other rebates which brings the car closer to a Camry LE, it makes sense and no range anxiety, the problem with the Volt as a Taxi Driver explained to me is that once the charge is done the Volt gives you about 27 - 30 MPG, the Prius Plugins they tried were closer to 50 MPG in Hybrid drive, the Prius also costs less to charge and doesn't need premium fuel which is expensive in Quebec.

Overall sure the Volt is a better EV, but imho not the better car

toyfan - 9/20/2011 3:07:45 PM

+7 Boost

Joe???
Who's ignoring facts?
Fact: Prius seats 5, Volt seats 4
Prius has a range of approx 600 miles, Volt 350
Prius stickers at approx $32,000, Volt $40,000

Seems more like you're ignoring the truth that the Prius makes more sense and is simply a better vehicle in every way in this segment!

Joe_Limon - 9/20/2011 3:20:28 PM

-3 Boost

You're ignoring facts this was a discussion of fuel sipping capabilities not price and size, yet you keep detering it away from the core of the discussion. What next? You'll state the prius has more cup holders therefore is superior in this fuel economy debate?

As to your one argument regarding range. The 600miles and 350miles is the distance the vehicles can travel without ev operation. If you factor in every day driving scenarios you will find that the Prius will still be at the pump more often.

toyfan - 9/20/2011 7:14:45 PM

+1 Boost

The fact that ON PAPER the Volt gets 8mpge more than the Prius is not enough for me to prefer the Volt given the other facts about both vehicles!!!
In my opinion, which I've backed by facts, the Prius is a superior vehicle! In real world driving, I am certain the Prius gets better mpges than the Volt anyway!!!(on top of the other said advantages)
It is simple as that!
And if you were to choose the Volt, then that is your prerogative!

WAIT. . . did you really just say that a vehicle with a 600 mile range will be at the pump more than one with a 350 range???
Is it me, or is something not right with this assesment?!?!

Joe_Limon - 9/21/2011 10:25:33 AM

+1 Boost

Yes, something is not right with your assessment. Those range figures only work if you hop in both cars and drive them till they are out of charge and out of gas not plugging them in like they are supposed to. If you factor in everyday driving, the Prius will use gas every day you use it the Volt for the majority of buyers won't. 40 miles a day may be exceeded once or twice a week by most drivers, but that's better then after half of every days commute.