Toyota's Prius hybrid features a towing package for the first time ever

By Miles Branman April 21, 2016

Toyota built the world’s first mass-production gas-electric hybrid vehicle in 1997, becoming a pioneer when most other automakers remained obsessed solely with petrol and diesel engines.

Now the automaker is pioneering a new frontier, one perhaps a bit less earth-rattling, but certainly interesting. The fourth-generation Prius is now being offered with a tow package. While that may sound peculiar given the vehicle’s sedan ride height and modest power output, Toyota believes this new option will give outdoorsy types another reason to love the hybrid.

Toyota’s 2016 Prius has a maximum towing capacity of 1,598 pounds, which roughly translates to a light caravan or a braked or unbraked trailer. Since “caravanning” is more of a euro-activity, Toyota may not be targeting the U.S. marketing directly with this feature, but you could probably pull a small trailer with a pair of dirt bikes without issue –- a commonplace sight here in California.

To set up towing capability, Prius owners will need to shell out for Toyota’s official towing hitch and wiring systems. Attaching the hitch seems simple enough: the accessory is fitted with clear green and red indicators to show when a secure connection is in place. For the vast majority of times when you aren’t towing something, simply unhook the hitch and store it in the trunk.

Also, for those who are worried about how the Prius might look with a hitch attachment (spoiler alert: it would look silly), all the hardware is concealed behind the bumper’s lower rim.

Toyota’s says its latest Prius generation is able to tow thanks to improved head management of the hybrid system’s generator and differential.

When we reviewed the car late last year, we found it not only to be more efficient, but also far more fun to drive, thanks to chassis stiffening and steering tweaks. The looks may not be for everyone, but these latest feature additions might help buyers forget about stylistic concerns.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

Cars

Tech giant reveals nice price for new EV to take on Tesla

Xiaomi's first electric car, the SU7.

Xiaomi's first electric car, the SU7. Xiaomi

Tesla already has a tough time in China competing with local auto behemoth BYD, but a new arrival in the electric vehicle market is set to make things even more challenging for the Elon Musk-led automaker.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $39

Rexing V1 dash cam

There are a lot of difficult drivers on the road, and a great way to protect yourself from potential insurance issues is with a dash cam. A dash cam will ensure everything that goes on while you’re driving is recorded. The best dash cams can typically record in multiple directions, making them a great option for Uber drivers who want to keep their customers safe and protect themselves from potential legal issues as well. You can save big on a new dash cam right now, as there are quite a few dash cam deals worth shopping. Below you’ll find what we feel are the best dash cam deals to choose from right now, so read onward for more details on how to save.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $40, was $50

The 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S is the cheapest option in this list, but it doesn't feel like it because it's packed with features. The dash cam, which supports microSD memory cards of up to 64GB, records footage at 1080p Full HD resolution with night vision capabilities thanks to its Sony IMX307 image processor and f/2.2 aperture. With its built-in G sensor, the dash cam will detect an accident and lock footage to prevent overwrites. You can use voice commands to ask the dash cam to take photos or to start recording videos, and you can use its accompanying app to watch real-time footage and to download files to your phone.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.