Toyota Prius could return to Australia! But it would be as a plug-in to rival Tesla and BYD

May 27, 2025May 27, 2025 Toby Hagon 8714 Views prius, Toyota

The Toyota Prius could make a return to Australia as a plug-in hybrid to tackle the increasing electrified interest in the medium sedan market.

The fifth generation of the nameplate known for forging a new path as a hybrid has so far been left off the menu for Australians due to an anticipated high price and so as not tread on the wheel tracks of the Camry sedan that is now exclusively powered by a petrol-electric hybrid system.

But Toyota is now reinvestigating whether to bring the latest generation Prius to Australia, something that would strengthen the brand’s artillery against a raft of EV rivals including the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, as well as HEV rivals like the BYD Sealion 6.

“A year ago, I would have said no chance (of bringing the current Prius to Australia),” said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia senior executive vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations. “A year later asking me, I’m just not going to rule it out completely.”

The latest generation Toyota Prius is being re-evaluated for sale in Australia.

Hanley said the company started relooking at the viability of a Prius earlier in 2025 as an option to sit above the Camry.

But instead of a regular hybrid system – as the Prius has been known for – it’s the plug-in hybrid that interests Toyota more.

The Prius PHEV uses a 13.6kWh battery to provide 85km of EV range according to the WLTP test cycle.

That would allow it to run on electricity alone for everyday duties before adding its 2.0-litre petrol engine for longer journeys or added performance.

Hanley said the Prius discussion was still live and could result in the car making it to Australia, possibly as early as 2026.

Feedback has also played a role in reopening the Prius evaluation.

“We’re getting a lot of feedback … that said they’ve seen the car in Japan and go, ‘wow, why did you stop that?’”

With a sleek new design and a advanced plug-in hybrid option that could challenge rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, the latest Prius might just have a second chance Down Under. “It’s certainly got the style,” Hanley said.

Whether Toyota Australia will give the Prius the green light remains to be seen. But for now, the door is no longer shut — and the future of the Prius in Australia looks more promising than it has in years.

A returning Prius would join the next-gen Toyota RAV4 on-sale in Australia. The new RAV4 will be the first PHEV sold by Toyota here when it launches in 2026.