Toyota Prius PHEV Showcased in India, Launch On Cards?

Toyota has showcased the Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in India at the ongoing Symposium of iInternational Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026 in Pune. The Prius is one of the most popular models of Toyota in developed markets, often being credited for being the flag bearer of hybrid powertrains in modern passenger cars. 

The Prius was also on sale in India briefly as a fully-imported CBU but got discontinued in 2017. The latest iteration of the car on display at SIAT 2026 has sparked speculation over whether Toyota is considering introducing the new Prius to the Indian market. With increasing popularity and accessibility to strong hybrid technology, the Toyota Prius could be worth a consideration for the Indian market.

At SIAT 2026, Acko Drive learnt that a launch in the future is possible but not very soon. Right now Toyota has displayed the Prius at the event for market understanding and feedback from the industry. In addition to its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Prius prototype showcased at the SIAT runs on a flex fuel engine that is compatible with 100 percent ethanol (E100), aligning with the Indian government’s push for higher concentration of ethanol-blended fuels.

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Toyota Prius PHEV: What’s new?

Powering the Toyota Prius is a 2.0-litre Flex Fuel petrol engine that develops 220 bhp at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of 190 Nm at 4400-5200 rpm. This combustion engine is aided by a front-wheel driven electric motor that produces 161 bhp and 208 Nm of peak torque. The electric motor draws energy from a 13.6 kWh Lithium-ion battery. In pure EV mode, Toyota claims the Prius PHEV can do about 70.8 km on full charge (EU cycle).

Visually, the Toyota Prius looks very familiar to the current Camry with the same connected LED strip at the front and a similar profile. However, the Prius gets a notchback-style lift gate at the rear, thanks to the sharply receding roofline. The Prius also gets a shorter rear overhang than the Camry.