Toyota Prius SUV Reportedly Under Development

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

The Toyota Prius can be had in compact, wagon and original recipe, but there may soon be another addition to the family: an SUV.

The Prius SUV would be developed via its partnership with Mazda, and would likely be a production-ready version of the C-HR Concept from last year’s Paris Auto Show, AutoGuide writes.

The partnership between the two automakers allows for powertrain technologies to be exchanged regarding new models. Thus, one idea for the SUV would be Mazda’s 1.5-liter SkyActiv diesel for a hybrid-diesel variant, as well as one without electric motors for European markets. Mazda, meanwhile, would use Toyota’s technology to bring its first EV to market, set to meet the ZEV standards set for 2018 by California’s government.

(Photo credit: Mike Schlee/ AutoGuide)

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jun 22, 2015

    "Mazda, meanwhile, would use Toyota’s technology to bring its first EV to market" Sure, but maybe Toyota will repent of its FCV folly soon, and bring an EV to market themselves instead of giving it to Mazda.

    • See 1 previous
    • Redav Redav on Jun 23, 2015

      “Mazda, meanwhile, would use Toyota’s technology to bring its first EV to market” That part doesn't sound right. Technically, they had an electric 2 (Demio)in Japan, so it wouldn't be their first EV, but it would be the first in the US. (Also, the e2 was more of a research project than a production car.) I don't know how Mazda will be affected by CA's ZEV law, but Mazda's strategy has been to first optimize engines, then add electrification (e.g., i-ELOOP, electric power steering), then add electric propulsion in the form of hybridization, then go full electric. They are still in the electrification stage, but they do offer a hybrid in Japan that is just the Prius drivetrain dropped in a 3. If their immediate plan is to produce an EV, they would jump over the hybrid stage, which presumably was a step to understand electric propulsion & work out its kinks. I don't doubt they will simply drop in the Toyota system for their hybrid(s), but they still need to learn from it. But maybe the EV announcement is just very premature, and any planned launch of an EV is still many years away. For battery costs, I do think their cost will get to $100/kWh, but not until the late 2020s. When they hit that point, EVs will be cheap enough that it will seem foolish not to have one.

  • TW5 TW5 on Jun 22, 2015

    No reason to call it Prius. Just give it a cool name, and a hybrid powertain as standard equipment.

    • Redliner Redliner on Jun 22, 2015

      No can do. If they call it a Prius crossover, they can sell 100,000 per year from day one. Picture a Honda HR-v but with prius credentials. They won't be able to make them fast enough.

  • Luke42 Luke42 on Jun 22, 2015

    If this thing is a Prius with a trailer hitch, AWD, and an electric power takeoff, sign me up! I reserve the right to cross shop it against whatever Tesla is making at the time, though... :-p

  • Ctkizer Ctkizer on Jun 22, 2015

    I think toyota should make it a Mini-Van cause mini-vans mpgs are terrible.

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    • 71Cutlass 71Cutlass on Jun 26, 2015

      @Luke42 We went the other way. We bought a Mazda5 and really enjoyed owning it but the gas mileage was disappointing. We now own a Sienna and have no regrets. The Mazda5 had lots of potential but Mazda missed the mark with it, unfortunately.

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