The Toyota Prius has been named the Best Family Car in the 2017 UK Car of the Year Awards by a panel of independent judges that include some of Britain’s most experienced motoring journalists.
The judges praised the fourth-generation Prius, which was launched last year. John Challen, Managing Director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, declared: “The Prius story continues – and it’s one that gets better with every release. The shift from ‘hybrid’ car to mainstream is complete.”
Toyota attributes much of the car’s success to the New Global Architecture-based platform, on which the Prius is built. The TNGA gives the car a lower centre of gravity, which directly contributes to better handling response and stability. The driver sits lower in the car, which makes for a more rewarding and engaging experience at the wheel. Family-friendly boot proportions have been secured thanks to a more compact (yet energy-rich) hybrid battery and a double wishbone suspension system – features which don’t intrude into the load-space.
Prius’ fundamental low emissions and high fuel efficiency. In fact, the gains made in performance with the new model are greater than any previous improvement between Prius generations. Official test figures show combined cycle fuel economy of 3 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 output of 70 g/km.
The car also excels in the area of saftey, which is an important factor for family motorists. The Prius won the award for the best-performing large family car in EuroNCAP’s 2016 test programme.
We recently took one of these family-friendly vehicles on a two-by-four unfriendly trip on the dirt and back roads of southern Africa and it held it’s own despite not being the obvious choice for an overlanding vehicle. Read all about our trip here.