Toyota ’s third-generation Prius has been so successful for the Japanese automaker that it now says that it is shelving its plans to introduce a lower specification entry-level trim level $21,000 Prius I model.
The company told AllAboutPrius.com that it tried a pilot program with the low-spec Prius by selling 177 units to fleet users across the country. It remains unclear if Toyota will continue to offer the Prius I in fleet specification or if it will forget about the idea altogether. The $21,000 Prius had been priced to compete directly with Honda ’s base model Insight, but sales of the Prius – especially higher-spec versions – has been strong enough globally that Toyota didn’t see a need to offer the model for consumers.
As we reported earlier, the base Prius I would not have included cruise control, a Smart key, the Touch Tracer Display, a rear wiper, satellite radio, heated exterior mirrors, a fold-down rear armrest, a rear heater, a few interior trim bits and even the EV-only mode and some underbody aero spoilers. All of that equipment helped slice $1,400 off of the Prius II’s $22,400 base price.
