Toyota cuts 2014 Prius Plug-in hybrid prices

For the 2014 model year the Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid will get a price cut, with the base Prius Plug-in model starting at $29,990, not including destination. The $2,010 drop in price comes without any changes to the vehicle, and Toyota was keen to point out that "This price repositioning on the base Prius Plug-in Hybrid is not accompanied by any reduction in vehicle content.” This drop in price can be viewed as part of Toyota's effort to keep sales volume of its popular plug-in hybrid model on target -- about the only place where the 2014 model Prius will look different will be the Japanese domestic market, where the Prius will get two-tone paint options, new wheels, and LED lighting.

Likewise, the Prius Plug-in Advanced will also get a price cut for the 2014 model year, and will start at $34,905, not including destination. That's a drop of $4,620, or 11.7 percent, which suggests that Toyota is cognizant of the cuts in prices for other PHEVs and pure-electrics. Toyota has not yet published the destination charges for 2014 Prius models in the lower 48; they added up to $810 for the 2013 model year. The Prius Plug-in also qualifies for a federal tax credit of up to $2,500.

The 2014 models are set to hit showrooms in November, as production of the 2014 model has just started this month. Keep in mind that the Prius Plug-in is available in just 15 states right now: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Hawaii.

By Jay Ramey