A few hours ahead of the new model's introduction in the US, the fifth-generation Toyota Prius makes its debut in Europe. The new Prius is only offered as a plug-in hybrid in Europe.

A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 220 horsepower system output is part of the powertrain. The existing vehicle's electrically assisted 1.8-liter four-pot produces 121 horsepower, an increase of 99 hp (74 kW) (90 kW).

The 13.6 kilowatt-hour battery in the Prius plug-in in Europe replaces the 8.8 kWh pack in the previous generation. The apparatus is located behind the back seats. According to Toyota's press release, the range "is 50% more than the current model." Based on the current 63-km figure in the UK, this would imply a distance of 94.15 kilometers.

A solar roof panel will be an option for the Prius plug-in. It is not stated in the announcement for the European-market model if this mechanism will increase the vehicle's driving range.

The new Prius features a recognizable yet contemporary design from an aesthetic standpoint. The design moves the roof's peak back further, giving the vehicle a more coupe-like aspect. The height has been reduced by 50 millimeters, while the wheelbase has been extended by the same amount. The total length is 46 millimeters shorter. The expansion widens by 22 millimeters.

The redesigned Prius' interior features three sections: "surroundings," "driver module," and "floating instrument panel," all of which use the Island Architecture style language. Because the gauge display protrudes from the dashboard rather of having a shroud over it like other current vehicles, the appearance is comparable to the configuration in the bZ4X crossover.

A dashboard-mounted infotainment display makes up the center stack. There seems to be only one physical control, which is a knob in the bottom right corner of the screen.

The infotainment screen and the HVAC controls are separated by a pair of narrow vents. It contains controls for regulating the interior temperature and the seat temperature control.