Overview & Reviews

Toyota now offers a slightly decontented "standard" Prius model that lacks cruise control and heated mirrors but in exchange has a significantly lower base price.

• Outstanding fuel economy, low emissions, generous amount of interior space, easy to maneuver in tight spaces, space-age interior design, a lower price for 2008.

• Less powerful and agile than other midsize sedans, a few disappointing interior plastics.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 213.00

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  good overall - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Jim - May 29 - 2:00 am

  the winter drop is beyond expected 5-7 mpg,comfort for 62" but agree lumbar support needed, nav is a waste in this day of cell phone nav,dont buy, got 63k on oe tires,some alignment issues, would like to see lineup expanded, apparently in works,have never achieved over 49.5 on highway 70 mph, no some getting 55 mpg at 55 mph

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  I wouldnt race anyone! But we get 50 MPG! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By William Parandes - November 9 - 2:30 am

  Rides well for a small car, pretty comfortable seats. Plenty of cargo space. No repairs, just maintainence, at 115,000 miles still gets 50 MPG highway. A keeper.

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  best hybrid on the market - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By nic-in-WI - March 1 - 2:26 pm

  Overall, we love this car. Weve had it for almost a year and a half. Handles reasonably well in WI winters and also performed very well in the mountains. Averaged 60mpg through Yellowstone National Park while being fully loaded with gear. Plenty of leg room for my 61 husband. Would definitely purchase another.

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  Worthwhile purchase! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By hondoman45 - February 13 - 9:43 am

  Ive waited a year to write this so as to have some experience with the car. Was very hesitant to buy due to fear of the unknown with the high voltage battery. Can say now that this is not a concern as these fail rarely and with many miles and usually with at least a decade of time. My dealership might replace 5-6 a year on the first generation (2001-2003), but 1-2 on this generation. Not as expensive to replace as I thought, either, as I received quotes of $2500 parts and labor. Realistically, that would be at least 12-15 years down the road. I get about 44 mpg in the winter and 46-49 mpg in warm weather. No repairs have been needed; easy to work on.

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  Still great 1.5 years later! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By hondoman45 - December 22 - 3:13 am

  I wrote a while back about my experience with my Prius. It is still a very reliable car that has not let me down. I replaced the 12 v battery myself as the original one was getting tired and wouldnt hold a charge any longer. Still get around 42 mpg in the cold and 46+ in warmer weather. This is great considering the car is driven an average speed of 72+ mph on the highway where it spends most of its time. The nav system isnt worth getting as it is woefully outdated and Im not willing to pay a couple hundred for an update at the dealer. Car rides well and is fairly quiet, but still dislike the leather seats as church pews are more comfortable. Very happy with my purchase!

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  Heat issues in Michigan - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Dan D. - November 20 - 9:50 pm

  I bought my Prius just before the economy crashed. Dont drive it in the winter as it takes forever to warm up and wont keep ice or snow buildup off the windshield. Im concerned about comments on quitting for no reason and dead battery. I stored mine last winter and started it every couple of weeks with no problems. But didnt get it out until March. Mileage goes south when weather is cold. So I just drove my Pickup beginning in late Nov. until March. Also noted that tire wear is excessive. They must have used a cheap tire as OEM. Wouldnt buy another as insurance is high and needing a different vehicle for the seasons defeats economy of transportation. Its built well though.

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  Bought a used touring model - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Mike - October 26 - 6:10 pm

  Averaging 45mpg. Performance is great for an engine this size and efficient. Paid $16,500 with nav, jbl, touring edition an 36500 miles. The incline of the front of the car causes a lot of bug paint damage to the hood and above windshield. A lot of sunlight inside the car due to the angles of the glass and there is no tint strip at the top of the windshield. Very pleased with gas mileage since my 06 m35 only averaged 19mpg. The car handles better than my $45k infiniti and handles rough roads much better. Seats are more comfortable too. At least the plastic interior looks good for plastic. I love the car and look forward to driving it and with each mile i drive im saving for my sons college

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  Fun Ride! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By BRIAN HAVEN - June 2 - 2:48 pm

  This is your grand-mas car but, it is gentle on the wallet and awesome on the street. Also own a 2015 bought new. This was bought with 189k miles and 9 years of smoking. The mileage has not affected the performance and fun to drive feel the 2008 exudes. Still a great ride! The smoker is a whole other issue. Detailed and scrubbed down thrice, bottles of Febreze, bag of charcoal, pans of vinegar and the stench is only just subdued not removed.

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  Some major costs with replacement of headlights - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Nurch - March 28 - 8:23 pm

  Apparently this year Prius had a problem with the headlights, and mine chose to be problematic after the warranty had expired. The dealer was incredibly expensive to replace the first one that failed, I used a body shop for the second and the price was significantly less than half the dealer cost. UPdate, 2016: I am now having to replace the headlights again! This is silly - Ive never had to replace headlights in a car before, and I keep all my cars until they have over 200,000 miles. I will again use a body shop to replace the headlights because the dealer is more than double the cost (and the light the dealer replaced is the one that has burnt out!). I also have had a squirrel or mouse chew through the gas line, and have had mice chew through the wiring harness for the anti-knock device. What do they make these plastics of that they are so attractive to common rodents? Update, 2017: I totaled this car last month when I rear-ended another vehicle at a low enough speed that the airbags did not deploy. I had failed to see the brake lights or turning signal of a car stopped in my lane waiting to make a left hand turn. Good tires, but we were unable to stop in time. We replaced it with a Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2014 which we strongly prefer to the Prius.

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  Superb surprise - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By kirschair - December 17 - 5:23 am

  I bought a 2008 Prius 3 weeks ago. In most respects it has far exceeded my expectations. The fit and finish is first rate. It is comfortable for 4 real adults to sit in. The leather is quite nice and comfortable. The bluetooth works very well. As for mileage, I have 900 miles on the car. I live in the country where there are lots of hills. This past week I had to drive for 5 days between liberty and poughkeepsie, ny for a distance of 57 miles. My average mpg was 56 (no B.S.). After 400 miles I put 7 gals. of gas in the tank. It is quiet with no wind noise from the windows. The car does things that no other car does. The nav is good although I like the software on my honda pilot better.