# Toyota Prius Plug-in — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Toyota Prius Plug-in on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/toyota-prius-plug-in

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2020
- **Ideal trim**: Excel
- **Target mileage**: 40,000–60,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £13,247

## Why this model

The Toyota Prius Plug-in is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a super-efficient, incredibly reliable car that can handle short daily commutes on electric power alone. It's built like a tank, so you won't be spending much time in the garage, and its hybrid system is tried and tested. It's also surprisingly practical for a family car, with decent boot space and a comfortable ride. The ability to do around 30 miles on electric power means many people can do their daily commute without using a drop of petrol, making it incredibly cheap to run day-to-day.

## What you should pay

Based on current UK market data (February 2026), a 2020 Toyota Prius Plug-in Excel with 30,000-50,000 miles typically sells for around £13,247. Prices can vary by about ±15% depending on exact mileage, condition, and optional extras. A lower mileage car in pristine condition might fetch closer to £15,000, while one with higher mileage or minor cosmetic wear could be found for under £12,000. Always compare prices across multiple platforms like AutoTrader and Motors.co.uk.

## Which trim to buy

The 'Excel' trim is definitely the one to go for if you can find it. While the 'Business Edition' is well-equipped, the Excel adds some really nice-to-have features that improve the driving experience and safety. You get things like larger alloy wheels, a premium JBL sound system, a head-up display, and crucial safety tech like front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. These extras make it feel a bit more premium and safer without a huge jump in price on the used market, offering the best value for money.

## What to check before you buy

- 12V battery can drain if not driven regularly
- Minor infotainment system glitches
- Brake actuator issues (less common on this generation)

## Running costs

Running costs are a major strong point for the Prius Plug-in. For electric driving, if you charge at home on a standard tariff (around 30p/kWh), a full 8.8 kWh charge costs about £2.64, giving you roughly 30 miles of range (around 8.8p per mile). If you're on a smart tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 7.5p/kWh overnight), that drops to just £0.66 for a full charge, or about 2.2p per mile! For longer journeys when the battery is depleted, it runs as a highly efficient hybrid, achieving 60-70 mpg. At £1.50/litre for petrol, that's roughly 10.5p per mile. Road tax (VED) for a 2020 model is very low due to its low CO2 emissions, typically £160 per year after the first year. Insurance costs will vary based on your personal circumstances, but generally, the Prius is not an expensive car to insure.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Plug-in Hybrid
- **Horsepower**: 121 hp (combined)
- **Mpg**: 217 mpg (official combined WLTP)
- **Reliability Score**: Excellent
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2016)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Edition | £32,000 | £12,500 | 15-inch alloy wheels; Toyota Touch 2 with Go navigation; Reversing camera |
| Excel | £34,500 | £13,500 | 17-inch alloy wheels; JBL premium sound system; Head-up display |
| Active | £30,000 | £11,500 | 15-inch alloy wheels; Toyota Touch 2 infotainment; Reversing camera |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £13,247 | 0% |
| 2027 | £12,000 | 9.4% |
| 2028 | £10,900 | 9.2% |
| 2029 | £10,000 | 8.3% |
| 2030 | £9,200 | 8% |

Buying a 3-4 year old Toyota Prius Plug-in like the 2020 model is a smart move for depreciation. The steepest drop in value happens in the first few years when it's new. By buying a car that's already a few years old, you let the first owner take that big hit. From this point, the depreciation curve flattens out significantly, meaning you'll lose less money each year compared to buying new, making it a much better investment.

Total value lost since new: 30.5%.

## Alternatives to consider

- Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in
- [Kia Niro PHEV](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/kia-niro-phev.md)
- Honda CR-V Hybrid

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.