Toyota has engineered the new Prius to be able to tow a trailer for the first time in the hybrid model line’s nineteen-year history. The company says the fact that the world’s best-selling hybrid car can now pull a trailer or light caravan adds another dimension to its practicality and extends its appeal to a wider range of customers.

Prius’s new-found ability is thanks to heat management measures that have been introduced in the hybrid system’s main electric motor-generator and the differential. As a result, the car has a maximum towing capacity of 725kg for both braked and unbraked trailers.

Customers can equip their Prius with towing hitches and wiring systems from Toyota’s official range of accessories. These are designed to be simple and easy to operate, with clear red and green indicators to shown when a secure connection has been made. When the towing arm isn’t in use, it can be unclipped and stored in a dedicated bag in the boot of the car. Most of the connecting hardware is concealed behind the lower lip of the rear bumper, so the lines of the rear of the car are preserved.