Interested in new Prius PHEV in UK

Living in the UK I've had Priuses ever since my first NHW11 (Classic) that I bought in 2001. Followed by 2009, 2016 models and now I'm driving a Prius Plug-In (Gen 4) I got in 2021. I followed news of the 5th Generation Prius with interest, was disappointed when Toyota UK said at the time they would not be bringing it to the UK, and in fact I wrote to them expressing my disappointment. Of course Toyota UK have now done a U-turn and at the end of 2023 announced that they would be bringing the Gen 5 PHEV to the UK. My local dealer still hasn't got a demonstrator, I wrote to Toyota UK and they said they would be sending out demonstrators to their dealers by the end of June. I guess that may be somewhat delayed now, I wonder if the halt in production in Japan due to the rear door entry switch problem (production now restarted) I read about here has had an impact. Also useful to read about the problems some people have been experiencing with the shortage of key fobs and 12V battery problems (although problems with the discharge of the 12V battery after about 2 weeks of non use due to small standby current drain dates back to the original NHW11 lol). I gather that with the Gen 5 a software update has recently been rolled out to fix unintended current drains? So there's something to be said for waiting a year or so after a model first goes on sale before getting one; thank you to North American Gen 5 owners for being "guinea pigs"

One aspect I want to check out when I do eventually have the chance of seeing a demonstrator is the luggage space. I'm aware that the new shape of the Gen 5 means that the rear hatchback door slopes differently compared to the Gen 4 and I've seen it mentioned that the Gen 5 has less luggage space in the rear than the Gen 4. However I think that may only be true comparing the non plug-in versions. The Gen 4 PHV has a high load platform which is about 2½" above the level of the tailgate lip. This is because the 8.8kWh traction battery sits underneath the load area. I believe in the Gen 5 PHEV (Prime in US) the larger 13.6kWh traction battery is positioned underneath the car in the region of the rear passenger seats, so I expect that the load platform in the Gen 5 PHEV is lower, creating more space. This would appear to be borne out by the specs I've seen, laden to tonneau cover level with rear seats up the Gen 5 is 284 litres whereas the Gen 4 was only 191 litres.

 

Update on this. I got my test drive of the new Prius in August, and ordered the Design model (the cheaper of the two trim levels which comes with the smaller 17" wheels which I prefer rather than the larger 19" wheels). Like many on here I just don't get the trend of manufacturers going to ever larger wheels with low profile tyres/tires. They have a harder ride, poorer fuel economy and cost more. A triumph of fashion over function! [Rant over]

When I ordered the car Toyota UK were offering a free domestic charger point installation, worth about £1000 (US $1250) and it was fitted on 15th October. The charger unit itself is badged with a Toyota logo but is actually made by ABB: https://new.abb.com/ev-charging/terra-ac-wallbox It's a single phase (240V of course in the UK) 7.4kW max unit, although the inbuilt charger in the Prius PHEV can only charge at 3.6kW.

I got the car specified in a standard paint called Lunar Shadow which is a very dark blue. I collected the car from the dealer on 30th October. Unlike some reports from the US I was supplied with two key fobs, but the dealer did say they hadn't yet been supplied with the owner's manual and service record booklet (I'm still waiting for those, but was able to download the owner manual pdf from the internet). It was of course supplied with the charging cable to connect to a charger point, but I was surprised to be told by the dealer that Toyota UK no longer supply a slow charger (aka granny charger) with it that plugs into standard UK 3 pin outlet and has a maximum charge rate of 2.4kW. My previous 2021 Prius Plug-In hybrid came supplied with one. I subsequently sent an email to Toyota UK querying this, and I don't know whether it was because of my or others feedback on this issue but a few weeks ago the dealer phoned me to say that Toyota UK have decided to supply the slow charger to all those who have so far placed an order. I collected the slow charger last week (photo of slow charger attached).

Looking at the polystyrene (?) tray underneath the rear loading area it of course came with a tyre/tire repair kit containing a compressor and a bottle of sealant (virtually useless in my opinion) but it also had cut-outs in the tray for a scissor jack and jack handle and wrench (none of which items are now supplied with the new Prius, unlike my 2021 Prius). However I was able to buy the items second hand on ebay for £40 and they now are stored in the relevant cut-outs so not that big a deal.

The only remaining thing is for me to attempt to source a spare spacesaver wheel which I prefer to have if I'm going on longer journeys. I'm aware I'll have to store it in the rear loading area as there's no space underneath in the PHEV version for it. I see from other posts that the recommended spare spacesaver for the new Prius that is sometimes supplied in the US with the non PHEV version is 145/90D16. I tried searching for the quoted part number 42611-21280 on a Toyota UK parts list but no match, so I don't know if Toyota UK will be keeping such a spare wheel. If not I'll have to look at other alternatives, such as possibly going to a 17" spacesaver from a Verso or Avensis (both of which have the 5 x114.3mm bolt pattern and 60.1mm hub bore) although I might have to change to a 145/80/17 profile to get the circumference closer to the 2090mm circumference of the standard fit 195/60 R17 wheels.