Overview & Reviews

As with many of Toyota's vehicles, the Prius (from the Latin "to go before") has become a standard-bearer in its segment. While many automakers' hybrid models are still in their nascent stages, Toyota's Prius is already well into its third generation. This four-door hatchback hybrid has become a hit with consumers because of its stellar fuel economy, spacious cabin, relatively uncompromised driving characteristics and reasonable price.

Due to its popularity and relatively long sales history, Toyota's original hybrid car is a strong candidate for a shopper interested in a used hybrid vehicle. Pleasingly, Toyota's solid reputation for reliability and durability is holding true for the Prius. However, potential buyers of a used Prius should take extra care during the research process. As the Toyota Prius is quite complex, future repairs and part replacements could be quite expensive.

Current Toyota Prius
In its first decade of production, the compact Prius hatchback was the sole version available. But now, a subcompact Prius C, a larger Prius V wagon and a plug-in variant of the standard Prius are offered (and covered in separate reviews). With the introduction of these newer models, the standard Prius is often referred to as the Prius hatchback or liftback.

The Toyota Prius' hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that's used in conjunction with two electric motors and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Total system power is 134 horsepower, and fuel economy rates an impressive 50 mpg combined.

There are four Prius trim levels: Two, Three, Four and Five. Standard feature highlights for the Prius Two include keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a touchscreen interface and an iPod/USB audio interface. The Three adds a rearview camera, Toyota's Entune smartphone integration system and a navigation system. The Four gains a power driver seat, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery and an upgraded stereo. The Five has larger alloy wheels and advanced LED headlamps. Options vary depending on trim level, but include a solar-powered ventilation system, an aerodynamic body kit, a sport-tuned suspension, a head-up display, an upgraded navigation system, adaptive cruise control and a lane-departure warning system.

Under full acceleration, both gasoline and electric power sources work together to provide maximum propulsion. In stop-and-go traffic, the Prius usually runs on battery power alone, which maximizes fuel economy. Under deceleration, the electric motors switch to generator mode, recharging the car's batteries. As expected, performance is far from exciting, but adequate for passing and merging onto highways. The Prius' space-efficient hatchback body provides a surprisingly roomy backseat and cargo area, making it a plausible replacement for a family sedan or compact SUV. The Prius' main downsides are a potentially uncomfortable driving position for taller drivers, excessive road noise and disappointing interior materials quality.

Used Toyota Prius Models
The current third-generation Toyota Prius debuted for 2010. Its general shape remained largely unchanged compared to the previous generation, though the sheet metal took on a more sculpted character. The interior received a more radical overhaul, with a more conventional center control stack and the hybrid system display relocated high on the dash. It's also a bit more comfortable for taller drivers, thanks to a height-adjustable seat and a telescoping steering wheel, though still not great. Changes have been very minor since. The pre-2012 models lack a few features offered on later versions such as power front seats and the Entune smartphone integration system.

The second-generation Toyota Prius was produced for the 2004-'09 model years. It sat five people in a four-door hatchback body that provided extra versatility in terms of carrying items. This Prius' hybrid powertrain was the same in concept as the current third-generation model, but it featured a smaller, 1.5-liter gasoline engine that produced 76 hp and 82 pound-feet of torque. With the electric motor spinning out power, peak net hp was 110.

Aside from its hybrid system upgrades, most buyers will find the interior to be the biggest area of difference between the second-generation model and the current Prius. The dashboard and controls were unconventional and futuristic, with stereo, climate, vehicle system and optional navigation controls residing in a touchscreen interface. There were steering wheel buttons for frequently used items, but ultimately, too much was put under the jurisdiction of the touchscreen (which could wash out in sunlight). The odd gear-selector action of today's Prius was carried over from this generation, but then it was mounted on the dash. Another important difference to note is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel and height adjustment, making for an even more awkward driving position for taller people.

During its successful tenure in Toyota's lineup, this second-generation Prius received minor changes. For 2006, a back-up camera, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and an auxiliary audio jack were added to the options list. A Prius Touring model was added the following year with a slightly firmer "sport" suspension, different 16-inch alloy wheels, a larger rear lip spoiler and several optional items. Side and side curtain airbags also became standard across the board. A "standard" trim level, which lacks cruise control and heated mirrors but in exchange had a significantly lower base price, was added for 2008.

In reviews of the Toyota Prius, our editors have cited outstanding mileage, ultralow emissions, hatchback utility and a reasonable price as the car's greatest strengths. Downsides include soft handling characteristics at highway speeds and, compared to regular midsize sedans, unimpressive maximum acceleration. Most Prius owners say their cars typically achieve real-world mpg ratings in the mid-40s.

The original Prius debuted in the North American market for the 2001 model year. However, Toyota had been selling it in Japan since 1997. This model was the second hybrid vehicle available to U.S. consumers after the Honda Insight. In just about every aspect, the original Prius has been eclipsed by the second-generation car. The first-generation Toyota is slower, smaller and not as comfortable.

Though less advanced than those in the newer generations, the older Prius' powertrain still paired a gasoline engine with an electric motor. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine made 70 hp at 4,500 rpm and 82 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The electric drive motor was worth another 44 peak hp.

User Reviews:

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  My Prius at odometer reading of 2800 mi - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Jay - November 11 - 5:13 am

  Rear view mirror difficult to see. Only goes 45-47 mpg local driving ... hoping this will improve. Otherwise it is a fun car to drive ... very user-oriented.

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  Personal Use - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Sunny - November 8 - 5:16 pm

  Although I am still learning how to maximize my gas mileage, it increases each tankful. The secret is to maximize the coasting times. One tankful I tried to go minimum speeds to utilize the electric motor as much as possible and found I was not charging it enough. A good mix of driving and coasting seems to be the key. There are no two drivers whose techniques are alike so you have to learn as you go.

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  Best hybrid out there! - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Sandy - November 7 - 5:15 pm

  A few months ago I was in the market for a hybrid, so I test drove a Prius 2, Prius 4, Prius V, Honda Civic hybrid, and a Ford Fusion hybrid. In the end I went with the Prius 4 and I absolutely love it! I’m amazed by the fuel efficiency and the luxurious feel of the car. Here are some of my impressions, which I hope are helpful to anyone considering this car: 1. The fuel efficiency is unbeatable! I have a long commute with stop and go traffic, and on average I get 65 MPG per trip, but I’ve gotten as high as 69 MPG. The car goes 700 miles on a single tank of gas! Even with gas prices being low right now, I’m saving a lot of money and I’m saving time by not having to make weekly trips to the gas station. I have over 2,000 miles on the odometer and I’ve only refilled the tank twice! (It came with a full tank when I bought it.) There is an “Eco” mode you can put the car in to make it even more efficient, but I haven’t experimented with that yet. 2. It handles the best of all the hybrids I tried. It has great maneuverability and the acceleration is surprisingly good for a hybrid. It was noticeably better than the Prius V, and better than the Honda Civic hybrid. The acceleration in the Ford Fusion was equivalent but the Fusion didn’t feel as nimble. The Prius also has a “power” mode to boost acceleration when you need it. 3. The Prius 4 has so, so many nice features on the interior! The Softtek material has the look and feel of leather, but it doesn’t get as intensely hot in the sun as leather. I got the all-black interior and it’s really sharp looking. The navigator and Bluetooth work well and the interior is quiet enough for phone calls even at high speeds. There are many nice features on the dashboard for anyone who likes data-driven information – ranging from real-time fuel efficiency to what the current road’s speed limit is. Compare that to the Ford Fusion hybrid, which has a picture on the dashboard of leaves growing to indicate how efficient the car is at any given time. 4. Plenty of room for kids. I have two kids and two kids’ car seats, and there is plenty of room for them and their seats. The latches that you attach the seats to are very easy to access. The backs of the kids’ car seats do limit visibility out the rear window somewhat, but between the reverse camera and the blind spot monitors, I find that it really doesn’t matter. 5. The 2016 model is a big improvement over the older Prius models. We had a 2005 Prius in our family for 10 years, and while we loved the reliability, we hated the brakes and the visibility. The 2016 Prius brakes are much smoother, and the visibility out the rear is good, plus it comes with blind spot monitors which I’m crazy about – they make changing lanes so much safer and easier! By comparison, I thought the visibility out of the rear window of the Ford Fusion hybrid was poor and it had a much smaller (4”) screen on the dashboard, so the reverse camera wasn’t very helpful. The Prius has a large screen with a high resolution picture. Also, compared to our 2005 Prius, this one seems more steady on a windy day – you don’t get the feeling that you’re being blown around because you’re in a light car. 6. I love that the Prius has been around for a long time and has history, which makes me less worried about repairs and resale in the future. At the time I was car shopping (spring 2016), Honda had pulled all its hybrids from the market and the only thing I could test drive was a 2015 Civic hybrid, and it was literally the last one available in my area. It drove OK but I would’ve had to buy it “as is,” which made me nervous, knowing it was already a year old and there were no others being manufactured. Also, since the Prius has always been a Prius, there are no weird compromises – for example, the Ford Fusion hybrid has a split-level trunk because Ford had to retrofit the back of the car to accommodate the hybrid battery. There are a few quirks about the Prius, but for me they weren’t deal-breakers: 1. The entire dashboard is centered, meaning that even the speedometer and gas meter are slightly to the right instead of directly behind the steering wheel. When I test drove the car I thought that might bother me, but I quickly got used to it and now I don’t think about it anymore. 2. I’m a petite person with small feet, and ergonomically the driver’s side feels a tad large for me. I’ve adjusted the driver’s seat up high so I’m comfortable, but the petals are slightly higher than I wish they were. They’re manageable, I just wish they were a little more centered under my foot. A tall person will be totally comfortable in this car. 3. By default, the Prius beeps steadily while you have it in reverse. It’s considered a safety feature. I didn’t like the beep though, so I had my dealer turn it off and now the car just beeps once when it’s put in reverse. Overall I give this car five stars, easily! To me, it drives like a luxury car and the gas efficiency is truly astounding!

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  I love it, but....... - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By jag - November 6 - 2:26 am

  I bought it over a MINI COOPER S, mainly because of the mileage and comfort. The mileage, as expected has not been what is advertised, I get about 40mpg on average, mostly highway miles. The creature comforts, however, have been more than I ever expected. The car is solid and quiet beyond any expectations. It handles as good as any small car Ive driven, and even I can sit in the back middle seat(it holds 5 adults) comfortably.... Im 61". Its quiet beyond belief, even on the highway at 75mph. Mine is fully loaded and I probably paid too much..... but I love it.

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  Happy so far - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Jagannath - November 4 - 3:46 pm

  Its about 2 weeks now since we got our Prius and we are pretty happy with it. Many features; we are trying to figure out many of them. Bluetooth setup is acting a little weird-not recognizing our iPhone. Mileage in the city is yet to be really tested. We took it on a little drive (180 miles) to test it on the highway and was very happy with the handling-braking was stable and though lacks the punch in acceleration, am not going to cry over a compromise. Got 48.5 mpg! Thats what I signed up for and hopefully will stay that way. Is comfortable,6-CD changer+JBL is awesome.

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  Love my Prius! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Jane - November 3 - 1:20 am

  We waited 9 months to receive our 2005 Prius and we couldnt be happier. We are looking forward to our first long distance trip. This is our second Toyota. We have a 1991 Previa with 225,000 miles and still going strong. We love our Toyotas.

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  Wish there were some 11s - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Smugly - October 29 - 10:03 pm

  Bought this car 1/16/06 and finally experienced our first problem - right rear tailight bulb burned out (thats what I thought until I jiggled the bulb and it came back on) 61K miles and still have not had to even change the brake pads! Very roomy and comfortable. Surprize - it will do 106 mph (I personally attest)! OK, its not a sporty car - but it is fun to drive on the back roads here in NH. We have pushed the MPG reset button only once - at 36K miles - the first 36k our average mpg was 44.7 and since it has averaged a little lower at 43.9. Cold weather and 4 wheel snowtires (a must where there are snowy roads) decrease mpg considerably. Getting ready to buy a 2010 - psyched!

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  My 2004 Prius review - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Vaughn E. Cost - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my new Prius basically due to an employment change where I lost my company vehicle. I then needed a vehicle with excellent gas milage for my 40 mile trip to & from my new job each day and the Toyota Prius is perfect for my situation. According to the on board display, I consistently get 52 mpg and, with current gas prices, that makes me very happy. My Prius also has a solid ride and more than adequate power to handle the hills of western PA. I now have 7000 trouble free miles on my Prius and I honestly have no complaints. Also, Im 66" tall & 250 lbs....and the Prius has adequate room for me.

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  Amazed! - 2013 Toyota Prius
  By guitarjem - October 24 - 12:23 am

  I have been researching the Prius for 12 months before buying and during my research I read negative things about the Prius that I find not to be true. This car is not slow and has no problem keeping up with the pack. You dont have to drive like "grandma" to get good mpgs just go easy on the gas pedal and try to stay in eco mode. The car is very quiet and comfortable for long drives and is by no means a compact sedan but a mid-size vehicle. With that said the Prius might not be for everyone but if you have a long commute and like saving on gas with a nice car to boot..... go for it!

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  Had to have it. - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By joerdie - October 22 - 7:43 pm

  Test drove the Prius and had to have it. The Civic has nothing on this car. So far, I have spent most waking hours thinking about it over the kid that I have on the way.