Toyota is raising its prices for the Prius and Harrier hybrids in Japan in response to the soaring cost of steel and other raw materials — the first hike here without a model makeover in three decades.

Speculation had been rife that Japan’s top automaker would raise some domestic prices soon, and Toyota has acknowledged that as risky because the domestic market is already sluggish.

The new suggested retail prices, announced Monday, show an average increase of 3 percent for the two gas-electric hybrid models, and an average 2 percent of several commercial vehicles.

Starting next month, the Prius basic S model will go up by 73,500 yen ($668) to 2.38 million yen ($22,000).

The Harrier Hybrid Premium S Package will go up by 136,500 yen ($1,240) to about 4.76 million yen ($43,000), Toyota Motor Corp. said in a release.
– Associated Press