Overview & Reviews

The 2001 Toyota Prius, a gas/electric hybrid that follows in the more expensive Honda Insight's footsteps, offers space for five adults coupled with class-leading fuel economy.

• Environmentally sound sedan, competitive price, full load of equipment, excellent warranty coverage.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 54.00

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  I love this car. - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Jan - October 21 - 1:30 pm

  I am 56 years old and this is the first car I have ever loved. I am proud to be driving it. My average mileage over 86,000 miles is 49.2 and I have not had to replace the battery. Keeping the right tire pressure makes a difference of 2-3 mpg. It has plenty of pep on the highway, feels solid in the wind and on wet pavement, and will cruise at 70 mph. It is maneuverable in traffic and parking. It is bigger inside that it looks. Four ride comfortably. I have had almost no trouble with it. The warranty was generous and Toyotas service has been superb before and after the warranty expired. The 2005 has some nice features and a bit better mileage but I do not want a hatchback.

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  Absolutely Fabulous Mileage! - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Greenleaf - September 25 - 10:00 am

  My highest MPG was 58.7! I drive to LA regularly and the two-hour commute is zippy in this little car. Ive had no trouble out running an 18-wheeler with 5 people in the car and the A/C on full blast. The only trouble Ive had was the rack-and-pinion, which needed to be replaced at 16K. The interior seems to be taking a lot of wear also.

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  Not worth it - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By photo123 - July 13 - 8:34 am

  To buy a new hybrid is OK if parts are under warranty. It seems that the HV battery (High Voltage batter) at a cost of $4000.00 installed dies after 8 years and around 150,000km . Just when the warranty dies. Hmmmm!! The car is nice to drive, but, so is a Elantra and the Elantra is way more reliable and coat effective to fix for the same year. Then there is the converter!!! Another $4000.00!! Please read carefully the reports about the 1 gen Prius. The HV battery will go on you and they were a poor quality. If you are buying a Prius to save the planet, forget it! The cost and consumables related to keeping it going including maintenance and repairs will far out weigh the savings.

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  I love it, very dependable - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Ttommmeee - June 20 - 8:20 am

  I have 147,000 miles on mine and am very happy. On trips we get 43mpg and often average 40 and up to 65 according to the road and traffic. Driving a whole day without filling up is also fun. It is EXTREMELY quiet, I didnt like the 4 cylinder vibration at idle on the other cars, there is none on this one. All issues were covered by the warranty, the gas tank, computer systems and steering were replaced under warranty (even after it was expired). I never replaced the fuel rheostat and it somehow fixed itself. Oil just never gets dirty. 7500 miles + works fine for me. I always take it to the dealer. Maintenance is less than any other car I have owned. It is just KOOL!!

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  Problematic - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By SoCaluser - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Weve owned lots of Toyotas and usually expect high reliability from the company. The 2001 Prius hasnt met that expectation. Our car has been the shop every couple of months with lots of problems including: tires wearing out, steering column noise, battery dying, mysterious engine stalls, electrical problems that disabled the radio and assorted other nagging things. Weve been quite surprise by the severity of the problems and the inability of Toyota to diagnose and fix them. Presumably, the newer version of the Prius have worked through the problems. But the 2001 was been a disappointment.

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  Best Car I have owned - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By geroge - January 7 - 2:00 am

  The Prius is an experience. I had been gett blaise about cars. This one I love. But it isnt about performance or interior comfort. It is about doing the right thing for our lungs, our country and the planet. Cut smog, reduce use of non-renewable resources, save money, and enjoy it.

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  Best car I have owned. - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By JR - December 18 - 12:36 am

  I bought one of the first Prius cars in the Seattle area. It has been an outstanding car, very reliable and extremely fuel efficient. I have had no serious problems with this car and have it routinely serviced at a Toyota dealership. This first generation Prius fits 4 adults easily and can take my family of 4 and their luggage on a week long road trip. Gas mileage ranges from the low 40s in stop and go traffic to the high 40s on long highway trips. This car is still going strong and I plan to give it to my now 16 yo daughter in a year or two.

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  A great car - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Jimvan - September 10 - 1:26 am

  I own one of the first Priuses delivered in the USA, and at 178,000 miles it is still a joy to drive. I am continually amazed at its reliability, gas mileage, emissions control, regenerative braking, power, and handling. Toyota "hit a home run" with this model. I do keep up the maintenance with 7,500 mile synthetic oil changes, and parts replacements when necessary. I expect 300,000 miles from this car.

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  Prius Fan - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By dutch2 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  A well built Sedan (as usual from Toyota. The gas milage is great, exceleration for passing is more than enough, and handling in the city is perfect. On the highway you have to stay alert because the steering is quick and the vehicle is light so the wind effects. A great car to drive on the back roads. My MPG average is 42.5 mixed city and highway.

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  Prius: Best Car Ever Made - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Aaron Schacht - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This is absolutely the most wonderful, technically advanced car ever built. Ive had two cases so far that required me to take evasive action and avoid animals on the road (at fairly high speeds), and the car handled with nimble perfection. The center LCD display is fun to watch (keep those eyes on the road!) -- you can see fuel economy details as well as numerous other functions. The optional navigation system works perfectly. The A/C system cools the car rapidly. This car is also one of the few SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions) vehicles on the road today.