Hatchback · 2016–2024

ToyotaPrius

The hybrid taxi icon. Bulletproof when serviced, dull in a good way, and PHEV variants need a cable habit.

Best for: Economy-first and high-mileage urban drivers.

Indicative running costs ~£1,642–£2,436 / year

Power: 122 hp
Economy: 60–80 mpg
Fuel: Hybrid
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Commonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

Engine oil

Hybrid-specific 0W-16 / 0W-20 is common on Toyotas/Hondas — handbook only

Oil capacity

Typically ~3.5–4.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Toyota Prius at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£1,642–£2,436 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£659/yr @ 80 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£160–£320 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£100–£260 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

3 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
Active / Business Plus Core. 1.8 Hybrid · 60–80 mpg	1.8 Hybrid	122 hp	60–80 mpg	~£195*
Excel Higher kit. 1.8 Hybrid · 60–75 mpg	1.8 Hybrid	122 hp	60–75 mpg	~£195*
Plug-in / PHEV Needs charging. 1.8 PHEV · Variable	1.8 PHEV	122 hp	Variable	~£195*

Variant

Power

Road tax

Active / Business Plus

Core.

1.8 Hybrid · 60–80 mpg

122 hp

~£195*

Excel

Higher kit.

1.8 Hybrid · 60–75 mpg

122 hp

~£195*

Plug-in / PHEV

Needs charging.

1.8 PHEV · Variable

122 hp

~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.8 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeCommonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressureOften ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

OilHybrid-specific 0W-16 / 0W-20 is common on Toyotas/Hondas — handbook only

Oil capacityTypically ~3.5–4.5 litres

ULEZMost petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Buying a used Prius

1Hybrid health readout
2Taxi history / miles
3PHEV vs self-charging

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

12V battery
EGR on some eras
Rear brake corrosion from regen

Toyota Prius FAQs

Is a used Toyota Prius expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£1,642–£2,436 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Toyota Prius need?

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Toyota Prius take?

Hybrid-specific 0W-16 / 0W-20 is common on Toyotas/Hondas — handbook only. Capacity is Typically ~3.5–4.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Toyota Prius problems?

Buyers most often watch for: 12V battery; EGR on some eras. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Toyota Prius ULEZ compliant?

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Owner handbook

Official Toyota manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Toyota owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More Toyota

Yaris

1.3 VVT-i

Corolla

1.8 Hybrid

RAV4

2.5 Hybrid

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN