What is the body type of the Prius plus?
The Prius Plus is a five‑door hybrid wagon (estate) built to maximize cargo space, essentially a compact MPV‑style wagon rather than a conventional hatchback.
Positioning and design
In European markets, Toyota introduced the Prius Plus as a larger, more versatile variant of the Prius. While it shares the same hybrid powertrain as the standard model, it sits on a longer wheelbase and a taller roof to boost interior space and cargo versatility.
Body style explained
Automotive classifications describe the Prius Plus as a wagon (estate in some markets). It is designed to blend the practical load space of a wagon with the efficiency of the Prius hatchback, offering more room for passengers and cargo without a jump in fuel consumption.
Key characteristics shaping its body type include the following:
- Body style: five‑door wagon/estate variant of the Prius
- Roofline and space: taller roof and extended rear cargo area compared with a standard Prius
- Seating and interior: designed for flexible family use with enhanced cargo options
- Market naming: known as Prius Plus in Europe and Prius V in North America
These traits collectively define the Prius Plus as a hybrid wagon rather than a traditional hatchback, offering a balance of efficiency and practicality.
Market naming and global context
Globally, Toyota uses different names for similar models depending on the market. The Prius Plus designation in Europe corresponds to what Toyota calls the Prius V in the United States and other markets; the body remains a wagon/estate designed to maximize cargo capacity while retaining Prius efficiency.
- Europe: Prius Plus (Prius+), a larger wagon variant of the Prius
- North America and others: Prius V, a mid‑size hybrid wagon
In short, the Prius Plus is best described as a hybrid wagon/estate—a five‑door vehicle with an extended cargo area rather than a standard compact hatchback.
Summary
Across markets, the Prius Plus represents Toyota’s approach to versatility within the Prius lineup: a five‑door hybrid wagon that prioritizes cargo space and adaptability while preserving hybrid efficiency. It sits between a traditional hatchback and a full MPV in terms of form and function, offering a practical solution for families and gear‑hunters alike.
What is the difference between Prius and Prius Plus?
Toyota has lifted the powertrain for the Prius+ directly from the Prius hatch. The only change is that the heavy nickel-metal hydride batteries have been swapped for a set of slim, lithium-ion ones. The batteries and 1.8-litre petrol engine combine to produce 134bhp, which means a 0-62mph time of 11.8 seconds.
Is a Prius a sedan or a hatchback?
A Prius is a hatchback. It has a five-door body style where the rear door lifts up to reveal a cargo area that is integrated with the passenger cabin, which is a defining feature of a hatchback. Some older models or specific configurations of the Prius family, like the now-discontinued Prius c, were also classified as hatchbacks, while others might have had a sedan-like profile but still function as a hatchback liftback.
- Hatchback: The most prominent feature of the modern Prius is its five-door, liftback design, which is characteristic of a hatchback.
- Sedan: While the body style is a hatchback, its overall look has evolved to be sleeker and more car-like, which can be mistaken for a sedan. However, the trunk lid in a traditional sedan is separate from the rear window.
- Prius family: Different models in the Prius family have had varying classifications. For instance, some older models were subcompacts with a hatchback design, while the standard Prius is a compact hatchback.
What type of body is a Prius?
The Toyota Prius has a 5-door liftback body type, which is a type of hatchback. While it has been offered in different forms over the years, such as a sedan and the larger Prius v wagon, the standard Prius has been a compact liftback since 2003.
- Standard body type: Since 2003, the Prius has been exclusively produced as a compact five-door liftback. This is the current body style you will find on the market, notes autoevolution and Edmunds.
- Older body type: The first generation of the Prius (1997-2003) was initially offered as a subcompact four-door sedan.
- Variations: Toyota also introduced variants like the larger Prius v, which was a wagon-like extension of the hatchback, and the smaller Prius c, a subcompact hatchback.
What type of car is a Toyota Prius Plus?
MPV
As its name implies, the Toyota Prius+ is basically a bigger version of the Prius – a hybrid seven-seat MPV. That makes it an alternative to models such as the Ford S-Max or Vauxhall Zafira, although both of them come only with conventional petrol and diesel engines and don't offer a hybrid model.
