In late 2026, most likely. Hopefully, this time, there will be some goodies like TSS 4.0. 2028 is the final model year of the cycle, so 2027 will probably see a mid-cycle refresh, if there is one.
I need to make a counterpoint here. Gokhan is acting like a mid-cycle refresh in the next year or so that includes Arene and TSS 4.0 is an almost sure thing. I doubt that. I suspect the computer conversion will only happen when or if Toyota decides to build a new gen6 in the early 2030s. From what I've seen, TSS 4.0 is really just TSS 3.0 on the new computer software. Maybe a mild improvement in some small areas, but 3.0 was only 2-3 years old when 4.0 came out. I think a good analogy would be porting a videogame from one game system to another. There might be the odd change here or there, but it's still the same game. The ability to do software updates easier might be interesting over the long term, but that's just potential benefits we have no idea Toyota is going to fully leverage (remember, they're a very conservative auto brand). The reason I don't think Toyota is going to do the Arene update as part of any refresh is because I suspect it involves all new computers and software. I don't think Toyota is going to spend the R&D money and time to completely redo the control systems of a relatively low-volume and low-profit car like the Prius. Plus I bet a controls and safety system change that extreme would require a complete set of new safety testing, and that's not cheap or fast. I just don't think Toyota is going to invest that kind of money on the Prius for only a few years of return. Take a look at the new CH-R. It hasn't even come out yet, but it's going to have the bZ4X/Prius control system and TSS 3.0. Same main gauge screen and CY19 infotainment unit. And the bZ4X to bZ refresh that just came out? Toyota didn't update the controls to Arene/TSS 4.0 or the new CY25/26 infotainment unit when they had the chance. The only Toyota/Lexus cars in the MY2026 and MY2027 US pipeline with Arene/TSS 4.0/CY25/26 are the all-new RAV4, the all new Highlander EV, and the all new Lexus ES. I think there's a reason it's only coming out in complete redesigns or brand new vehicles. I hope I'm wrong, as that kind of update is the only thing that could pry me out of my 2023*, but I am absolutely not holding my breath. *I really, really, really want the automatic climate control seats and steering wheel and the fully integrated dash cam system that both are in the new RAV4.
Actually, my point was that Arene is impossible in the Gen 5 Prius, but perhaps we will see TSS 4.0 in the final two model years (2027 and 2028) of the Gen 5. TSS 4.0 also has updated sensors over TSS 3.0, like perhaps higher-resolution camera and radars.
Okay, but then my point would be that I think TSS 4.0 is impossible without Arene. Effectively, I think TSS 4.0 is Arene. Or that it's a way to tell if the new model is based on Arene or not. If the car has TSS(or LSS) 3.0, it's not Arene. If it has 4.0, it is Arene. I think they had to rewrite TSS/LSS enough to convert it over to Arene that they decided to bump up the number.
