Rust in pieces: 2021 Toyota Kluger Hybrid to replace Prius V as brand's eco-friendly seven-seater for families

Toyota Australia will soon axe a second member of its pioneering Prius hybrid family, with the seven-seat Prius V small wagon set to leave showrooms just shy of 10 years after its local launch.

Having been on sale since May 2012, the Prius V will stop being sold by Toyota Australia from August 31 this year, a company spokesperson told CarsGuide.

“This decision was made as a result of a small and declining customer demand for vehicles in the Small Wagon segment,” they added.

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“Orders are no longer being taken for the Prius V in Australia, with remaining stock to be supplied to fill existing customer orders until August 31.”

As such, the Prius V will join the Prius C light hatchback in the automotive dustbin, with the latter discontinued prior to the competing Yaris Hybrid’s release last September.

That said, Toyota Australia won’t be without an eco-friendly seven-seater for families, with the Kluger Hybrid large SUV scheduled to enter showrooms next month.

Needless to say, buyers will need pay more for a Kluger Hybrid than a Prius V, with the former priced between $54,150 and $75,400 plus on-road costs, while the latter stretches from $37,590 to $45,380.

Which brings us to the eponymous Prius small hatchback, which will continue to be sold by Toyota Australia for the time being, despite low sales arguably prompted by stiff internal competition from the Corolla Hybrid.

“Toyota remains committed to maintaining the Prius nameplate in Australia, with the Prius hatch continuing as part of Toyota’s popular hybrid range,” the company spokesperson said.

“We expect customers to continue to place orders for the Prius hatch into the future.”

For reference, the Prius V outsold the Prius 63 examples to 18 in the first four months of 2021, so time will tell how much longer it carries on for, either in its current form (we’re looking at you, Prime plug-in hybrid) or altogether. Watch this space.