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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  More Hype Than Fact - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By NewPriusOwner - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I now have over 4000 miles on this car and wish I had stayed with my Civic. I can never drive this car long enough to make up the cost of the Hybird system. For a high tech car you cant even get an MP3 player in this car. Gas mileage is in the high 30s to low 40s at best. The seats are not comfortable for even a 45 minute drive, and no power seats at that. The car is unstable in a cross wind.

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  What about hidden maintenance costs? - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By Ken C - October 5 - 7:33 am

  Ive driven my Prius for 36k miles. My love is simply summarized – 48 MPG! But will fuel savings be lost to unexpected maintenance costs? My car isn’t old enough to have real maintenance issues yet, but I’m wary. The engineers were great at building a complex car with great gas mileage, but lousy at creating a car that can be easily maintained. Theres no room under the hood, so theres no way to do a simple DIY like replacing a headlight without extensive work. I tried DIY, but gave up. In the end, the dealer replaced it (in about two hours of labor) for $200+ (for a $10 bulb?!). That’s crazy talk man! People need to know up front that there could be high unforeseen maintenance costs.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By 2010-V - June 27 - 7:40 am

  I have owned a 2010 Prius V for six months. At first I was pleased with the vehicle, especially with the MPG when compared to my 2000 Lexus RX300. After six months of ownership several issues have arisen; braking issues (regenerative brakes slip when navigating over a bumpy road or pothole), constant rattling while driving emanating from the passenger side windows and a disappointing 37.5 average MPG in the city. Although I am not expecting 50 MPG as is advertised, 37.5 is well below what I anticipated. Granted, I live in a very hilly city, but I am not a speed demon nor do I have a heavy accelerator foot. The only advantage I foresee is the reduction in the production of smog.

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  2014 prius 2 - 2014 Toyota Prius
  By 1bravo2 - April 5 - 6:15 pm

  After reading the reviews and inquiring with my coworkers that owned a prius, and assuring me that they get the 50mpg, I decided to buy one for myself and one for my daughter. Even the salesman told me that you drive it like a regular car. Well six months later, I now believe that i was lied to or the car was overrated on the ease of getting 50mpg. The reality is the car computer calculates 3mpg over of what I actually get, by miles driven verses fuel used. If you drive it normal you get low 40s. To get to the 50s you need to coast or try to keep it in electric mode as much as possible while everybody else is passing you. You stay busy and it is a head ache to drive it to get the miles.

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  Instrument panel display problems - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By irish - March 20 - 3:20 pm

  Seats are very uncomfortable. For a short person the headrests do not fit properly and cannot be adjusted. They obstruct rear view. Main problem is the instrument display fades out in sunlight and very difficult to see. Cannot wear polarized sunglasses. The display is LCD and polarized making it incompatible. Non polarized sun glasses did not offer any significant improvement. I am returning this car. It is not safe for me to drive.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Wally - January 15 - 10:23 am

  We just completed a 4200 mile trip in our new Prius. We drove the speed limit, and had the car in eco mode the whole time. We averaged 44 mpg. Needless to say, we were not happy with the mileage. The car rides well, but the road noise is almost unbearable on some road surfaces. The fit and finish is good, but the quality of the materials seems to be a little on the cheap side. The outer door panels flex when you close the doors. The plastic wheel covers over the allows dont help. When we limit our driving to in town driving with short trips on the road or freeway, we average 49 mpg. The car seems to be overpriced for the features offered.

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  Improve the visibility - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By hybridguy3 - November 10 - 12:31 pm

  I owned my 2010 Prius for just under a year and learned to hate it for the following reasons: Bad bad brakes, hit a bump and lose them for a split second, not dangerous but disconcerting. Visibility to the rear and sides is awful, especially in the winter; the bottom half of the split rear window is impossible to keep clean. My wife, who is 52", refused to drive it because of poor visibility. The dash squeaked in cold weather. Dashboard readouts difficult to read with polarized sunglasses. The handling is not quick and the seats, while okay for a short drive are murder on a long one. Bought a Civic Hybrid because it doesnt have any of the problems listed above.

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  Really enjoyed the 51 miles per gallon. - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By Cheryl - August 28 - 10:27 am

  The Fuel economy was unbelievable. Good, excellent even, but: and its a big one. The machine rides like a buckboard. Rough, very rough. The struts do not do the job. If you live down the street from your work and all are paved roads in good repair then its worth considering for the fuel savings alone. The resale value/ trade-in was not all it was cracked up to be. The largest disappointment were the mice. Literally. We had mice in the battery compartment, mice in the spare, mice in the rear seat. Mice in the ac. The mice were colonies. The fought, they died, they stunk, and stunk and stunk until we had to give up the ride. They came in though the engine cowling at the hood, under the wipers. They chewed through the cabin filter. We had them cleaned out by the dealership once, very expensive, and the car sanitized. They came again, we cleaned it out ourselves and placed wire over the air intakes under the wipers (YouTube) but during the summer every time we hit a bump, you guessed it: The smell of decaying mice through the air vents. Finally we traded for a Subaru. its a much better ride but I sure do miss that 51 mpg.

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  A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Richard J. - July 28 - 9:55 pm

  Own a 2007 Prius and was hoping for a huge improvement. It was there in the noticeable performance improvement and quieter cabin. However A huge technology screen is distracting, and visibility has diminished considerably in this version with a large sensor in front of the rear view mirror and tall head rests front and back. And seats sit lower adding to reduced visibility. So we decided to save almost 28,000 and keep our 2007 since the deal skimped on trade in price. Moreover the flashy body design did not impress us.

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  Jury is half in - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By tripped - July 15 - 2:20 pm

  I have buyers remorse. The fuel economy has not lived up to the talk -- avg about 45mpg. Drivers seat/wheel/dash ergonomics very poor. Human factor design terrible on things like digital speedo (analog is easier to read, thus safer), fuel guage and other dash read-outs -- very illogically placed and distract from driving. Especially climate controls having to be accessed via the electronic screen. Give me knobs for easy feel of adjustments levels without needing to take my eyes and brain off my driving. Audio system the same -- just take it off the screen menus. Navigation is a pain to learn and use -- very user unfriendly. Transmission knob idiotic and key/locking system beyond logic.