The Toyota Prius has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 10th out of 24 midsize automobiles overall. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $408 average yearly repair cost.
In This Article...
What drawbacks come with owning a Toyota Prius?
Since its launch, the Toyota Prius has been one of the most popular hybrid cars available. Although rival automakers attempt to replicate the Prius’s popularity, Toyota continues to dominate the hybrid market. The fourth-generation Toyota Prius, which debuted in 2018, has several great features to offer, including its plug-in model, the Prius Prime, which was added to the lineup in 2017.
Due to the Prius’ recent redesign in 2016, don’t anticipate too many modifications till 2019. The 2018 Toyota Prius has many upgrades over the 2017 models in terms of features and specifications. Toyota’s new TNGA platform is now being used to construct the Prius. The greatest difference for this year is that all models now come standard with alloy wheels.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Toyota PriusThe Pros
1. Excellent Fuel Efficiency
The 2018 Toyota Prius has outstanding fuel efficiency. No matter which trim level you select, you will get roughly 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. Finding something else with as good of a fuel efficiency is challenging, thus the Prius naturally benefits greatly from this.
2. A large interior
The 2018 Toyota Prius’ cabin is surprisingly roomy for such a compact car. Although those in the back seats might feel a little crammed, those in the front seats will have plenty of head, shoulder, and leg room.
3. A number of Regular Active Safety Features
It is hardly surprising that the Prius boasts a lengthy list of standard and available active safety measures given how highly Toyota values safety. Pre-Collision warning, pedestrian recognition, automatic high beams, and Lane-Departure alert are all parts of the Toyota Safety Sense suite that are included as standard equipment on all models.
4. User-Friendly Controls
The 2018 Toyota Prius has controls that are all easily accessible and have clear markings. No need to speculate as to what a knob or button might do. From the driver’s position, it is simple to access all controls, and a number of significant controls are mounted on the steering wheel.
5. Simple Entry and Exit
It’s simple to get in and out of the car, especially up front. There is adequate height for persons of any stature to swing their legs out, and doors swing out fairly far. Additionally, you won’t have to be concerned about exiting without hitting your head on the doorframe.
6. Excellent Side and Front Visibility
Although rear view is limited, front roof pillars are sufficiently thin to provide good front and side visibility. Drivers won’t have any trouble determining how far their front bumper is from another car or the sidewalk thanks to the excellent, large front windshield.
7. There is Ample Cargo Space
The 2018 Toyota Prius has a surprisingly significant amount of cargo space, despite the fact that it may not seem like it. It is possible to maximize the luggage capacity by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats, which makes it simple to transport heavy objects.
The Infotainment System, 8.
One of the best systems available is the infotainment system from Toyota. The standard Prius comes equipped with a four-speaker radio system, Bluetooth, USB connector, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display. As you move up in trim levels, you can add satellite radio, navigation, and the Etune app suite to the mix for a fairly affordable price.
9. Flexible Steering
On the Prius, steering feels responsive and intuitive. Any driver will observe that they receive a lot of feedback, particularly about how the steering system handles challenging curves and twisting roads. You will feel more confident performing these kinds of turns as you obtain smaller tires.
Secure Handling 10.
The Prius handles well and is a fairly sporty little car. While driving in most weather conditions, the car seems quite balanced and steady despite the tires’ little lack of traction.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Toyota PriusThe Cons
1. Riding Comfort
The 2018 Toyota Prius features a firm ride quality, which is perhaps its major flaw. The tires are undoubtedly made to provide decent mileage rather than to cushion every bump on the road. Even the Prius c hatchback is a little more pleasant than the standard Prius, which can be very bumpy when driving over even the slightest amount of bad road topography.
2. Slow Accumulation
The Prius is not particularly good at accelerating. Although the Prius can accelerate reasonably well compared to other cars in its class, it is designed for fuel efficiency rather than cruising at high speeds. You may need to think about purchasing a totally new vehicle if you want something with a little more oomph.
3. Subpar interior components
The Toyota Prius has this drawback with some of Toyota’s other contemporary models. The inside has the appearance of being made with inferior materials. The cloth upholstery and several of the knobs and buttons appear to be prone to wear and tear with time, even though nothing appears to be about to break at any second.
4. Loud Cabin While Highway Speeds
There is no mistaking it: this car is not silent! When trying to get the Toyota Prius to travel beyond 55 miles per hour on the highway, you will have to put up with a lot of road, wind, and engine noise in addition to its stiff ride quality. The engine frequently complains when the car is pressed to move fast, and the cabin appears to lack the necessary insulation to keep part of the outside noise out.
How it compares to the opposition:
With its 58 mpg fuel efficiency, which is unquestionably best-in-class for this year, the 2018 Hyundai Inoiq Hybrid is a top-tier rival for the Prius. The Ioniq, on the other hand, is less roomy and has a smaller plug-in range.
Despite having a lower fuel economy than previous models, the 2018 Honda Civic Hybrid performs well on highways and in cities. The Civic is quite roomy and has a ton of safety equipment.
Overall, the 2018 Toyota Prius is a roomy, very fuel-efficient vehicle. The Prius is still one of the top hybrid sales performers due to its focus on fuel efficiency, even if it will need to step it up in 2019 to compete with newer hybrid models from other automakers.
How long do Prius cars last?
A Toyota Prius owner may anticipate getting between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their vehicle with routine maintenance, with some owners exceeding the 300,000-mile milestone and still going strong. The Prius has a well-established history of dependable service for more than two decades as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.
How long does the battery in a Prius last?
There is no denying that owning a Toyota Prius has a lot of advantages. You should be proud to own your hybrid, whether it’s for the increased fuel efficiency or the contribution you’re making to the industry’s shift toward smarter and greener technology. However, just as with all cars, your Prius’ battery will eventually need to be replaced. When will that be, though? How long do the batteries in a Toyota Prius last? There are a number of variables that will affect which end of the spectrum your battery life falls on, but the average estimate is that it will operate efficiently for 8 to 10 years, or anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles.
For many years, the Toyota Prius has been among the most well-liked hybrid vehicles, and one of those reasons is unquestionably its dependability. You can depend on these cars for years of excellent fuel efficiency, which will allow you to make fewer trips to the gas station and protect the environment. But the battery in your Prius will only function at peak levels for so long, so it’s critical to understand the variables that can shorten or lengthen its life.
For starters, the lengths you travel can affect your battery. If you routinely commute a considerable distance, your battery’s lifespan may begin to veer toward the lower end of the 810 year range. It’s also crucial to consider the weather you’re driving in, as walking through snow and ice might drain your battery due to the subzero temperatures.
Do Prius problems frequently occur?
One of the most often reported issues with the 2010 Toyota Prius is engine issues. Some owners claim that a wide range of engine-related problems, including blown head gaskets, stalling, overheating, and hesitancy, have occurred with their cars.
Are repairs for Prius expensive?
A Toyota Prius owner typically spends $400 a year on maintenance. A Prius can help you save money on maintenance and at the pump because an average car costs roughly $1,000 a month to maintain with fuel and other upkeep.
Because a large portion of the maintenance will be required as the automobiles age, all maintenance costs are fully back-loaded. To make sure you won’t have to pay for anything out of pocket, you might want to think about getting an extended warranty.
To protect your investment in the event of an accident or other unforeseen circumstance, you might also wish to purchase full coverage automobile insurance.
By shopping for auto insurance with Jerry, you can save money. In just a few minutes, the Jerry auto insurance broker app will show you rates from up to 50 different companies. Once you’ve decided on a policy and price, Jerry will handle the rest for you!
Why is insurance for Prius so expensive?
Due to their higher value, hybrid vehicles generally cost extra to cover with insurance providers. The cost of purchasing the most recent hybrid technology remains high. Your insurance will have to pay more if your automobile is stolen or totaled.
A hybrid may cost more to insure for a variety of reasons, including the costlier parts. As a result, the cost of repair will be higher if the car is damaged.
According to CDG Insurance, if you drive one of the fuel-efficient versions, you are seen as a higher-risk driver because the average damage claim for hybrids is substantially greater.
The driving habits of hybrid drivers are another factor that could make auto insurance more expensive. The main reason people buy a hybrid car is to save money and fuel during rush hour. As a result, they are more likely to travel farther and in heavier traffic.
Of course, there are further factors to consider as to why a hybrid will cost you extra to insure:
- hybrid vehicles get more miles per gallon because to cheaper gas prices.
- Due to the necessity for specialized mechanics as well as greater part pricing, astronomical repairs are more expensive. Even aftermarket components are costly since there is less demand.
- There aren’t many hybrid cars on the road. Owning a hybrid is less popular than it might be, therefore you will have to pay for specialized services. Americans continue to have doubts about how safe and dependable hybrid vehicles are.
- Smaller hybrid city cars are built with more delicate materials than SUVs.
- Due to their reduced road noise, hybrids have a higher risk of collisions with pedestrians or cyclists.
Which Prius year is ideal?
The Toyota Prius’s Best and Worst Years, in brief, are as follows: The Toyota Prius performs best in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, as well as in the years 2013 to 2020. The poorest years are 2010, 2011, and 2012. Before you buy your Toyota Prius, keep an eye out for these years, especially the troublesome ones.
About the Prius
Toyota’s Prius, which was half electric and half gas-powered, transformed the green sector when it was released in 2000. Since then, practically all auto manufacturers have released a gas-saving vehicle to compete in the green market. Given that their tanks only hold fuel for approximately to 50 mpg, these cars are relatively affordable to buy (beginning at $24,000). These vehicles have 121 horsepower and an 11.3-gallon tank. Most buyers of hybrid vehicles are often middle-class to rich, youthful to middle-aged men. Particularly in bigger American cities, Prius continues to have strong sales. However, after Prius vehicles began to circulate, its drivers have come under heavy criticism for how they handled their vehicles.
Cultural Digs
Prius drivers have long been the target of jokes in popular culture, from Urban Dictionary to the South Park episode “Smug Alert.” Prius drivers are described in numerous online personal stories and articles as being excessively slow, excessively rapid, and constantly disregarding stop signs and traffic signals. They’ve also received criticism for acting like a hypocrite by driving an eco-friendly vehicle and lowering their carbon footprint. This is especially true in South Park, where a scene portrayed Prius owners as arrogant knaves who delighted in drawing attention to their green vehicles. Additionally, the animosity has gotten so bad that some irate commuters have taken to criticizing Prius owners’ dangerous driving in online letters.
Eco-Friendly Drivers
Some of these stereotypes might have some grain of truth to them. At least in California, a recent study by the Institute of Personality and Social Research at the University of California Berkeley found a link between affluence and poor driving. In order to determine whether drivers would stop for pedestrians, their study involved watching them at a crosswalk. Approximately 8 out of 10 drivers obeyed the law and let the pedestrians pass. However, researchers found that people who drove expensive or environmentally friendly vehicles were far less likely to stop. Given that Priuses are considered eco-friendly vehicles, the responsibility may statistically rest with these drivers. These vehicles are frequently a prestige symbol for people who care about the environment. Even though this particular group of people may assert that they are “helping the environment,” such drivers are nevertheless regarded as being among the worst types of drivers out there.
Prius Owners and the Quest for Great MPG
But why do Prius drivers behave in such a manner? Another factor contributing to a Prius driver’s propensity for slow driving and aggressive braking is the desire to achieve the highest MPG. Priuses have two engines: an electric motor and a gasoline motor. Getting these engines to cooperate in order to power the car is the overarching goal. Despite the gas waste, the reason they brake so frequently is that consumers enjoy seeing the battery fully charged. Greater fuel efficiency is made possible through coasting and braking, which reduce the amount of time the gas engine is used. Due to this movement, Prius drivers often begin their acceleration from a stop sign or traffic light by coasting slowly. Even those who never touch the brake attempt to stop naturally. Additionally, Prius drivers prefer not to start their gas engines when they accelerate from a stop. Slowing down ensures that the car’s electrical system is still functioning, which enrages many of the drivers in front of them. The ideal speed for using the electricity is about 55 mph on freeways. Prius owners want to avoid using petrol, so anything faster starts using it. They’ll probably be plodding along in the slow lane as everyone else passes them at a high speed. Other drivers may be irritated by you in large part because of your antics.
The Rage Over Carpool
Following the introduction of Prius vehicles, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger enacted some intriguing legislation to promote the use of hybrid vehicles. Even though there was only one person in the car, some models of Toyotas and Hondas with the greatest gas-saving ratings were permitted to use the carpool lane. Many drivers found it infuriating to witness a single individual in a Prius speed past while the others were snarled in gridlock. Regular non-hybrid car drivers who use the carpool lane without any passengers risk being stopped and fined up to $270. Given this logic, it becomes sense that Prius drivers have attracted some negative sentiment.
Prius Accident and Death Stats
Most fatalities from auto accidents, according to researchers, involve compact, light-weight vehicles. Even though the Prius is a tiny four-door vehicle, small-car collisions cause about 31 fatalities each year. Despite the fact that Prius drivers have a reputation for being slow and incompetent, accident records demonstrate that this has no statistically significant impact on accident rates. Several Prius cars were recalled in 2016 because the parking brake may have been faulty. Even though Prius drivers were concerned, this didn’t have a significant impact on accident rates. However, the Prius juggernaut doesn’t appear to be slowed down by this.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that Prius accidents and accompanying fatalities are very low when compared to other compact cars, Prius drivers haven’t changed their driving behaviors. Furthermore, it makes sense that many other people could find these Prius drivers to be more despised given the exclusive privilege of driving alone in the carpool lane. Additionally, there seems to be a lot of truth in the Prius stigma regarding modest speeds. It makes sense that Prius owners who do this want to achieve worse gas mileage; after all, why even buy a hybrid car if you’re not going to use its best feature? Given this justification, it appears that Prius drivers will continue to face criticism until Toyota finds a means to make the switch between gas and electric engines more appropriate for Prius operating speeds.
Your no cost case evaluation with a reputable attorney is available by calling:
Attorney Michael Avanesian Attorney Advertising (NOTE) Nothing written on this site should not be interpreted as legal advice. Only for general educational reasons, blog postings and hosted comments are available and should not be utilized to evaluate a particular legal issue. A lawyer-client relationship is not established by leaving a remark on a blog page either. Links to other third-party websites do not imply that the company approves of their contents, owners’ actions, or viewpoints expressed therein.