The Toyota Prius (/pris/) is a hybrid vehicle that Toyota manufactures. Its drivetrain combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. It was first made available as a four-door sedan, but has only ever been made as a five-door liftback.
According to smog-forming emissions, the Prius was classified as one of the cleanest cars sold in the United States in 2007 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
[1] Following the Hyundai Ioniq Blue hybrid, the Prius Eco for the 2018 model year was the second-most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicle offered in the US during that year. [2] [3]
The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid car, and it first went on sale in Japan in 1997. It was offered at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains.
In 2000, it was subsequently made available everywhere [4].
[5] Toyota sells the Prius in more than 90 countries, with the United States and Japan being its two biggest export markets.
[6] The milestone number of Prius liftback vehicles sold globally was one million in May 2008, two million in September 2010, and three million in June 2013.
[9] The United States surpassed a cumulative sales milestone of one million by early April 2011[10], while Japan did the same in August 2011.
[11] With nearly 4 million units sold as of January 2017[update], the Prius liftback was the most popular hybrid vehicle worldwide. [12]
In 2011, Toyota added the Prius v, an extended hatchback, and the Prius c, a small hatchback, to the Prius family. The Prius plug-in hybrid’s production model was unveiled in 2012. In November 2016, the Prius Prime, the second generation of the plug-in model, was made available in the United States. [13] Of all the vehicles certified by the EPA with internal combustion engines, the Prime achieved the greatest miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) rating while operating entirely on electricity. [14] [15] During the first half of 2015, the Prius c variant’s global sales surpassed one million units. [16] In January 2017, the Prius family had cumulative global sales of 6.1 million units, or 61% of the 10 million hybrids Toyota had sold globally since 1997. [12]
In This Article...
Toyota or Honda makes Prius?
The Toyota Prius and Honda Insight are probably high on your list of options if you’re looking for a hybrid. Both models have a long history as well-liked hybrid cars and are currently in their respective fourth (2016present) and third (2019present) generations.
Toyota: Will the Prius be discontinued?
Fans of the venerable hybrid can exhale in relief despite rumors that Toyota may stop making the Prius. This is because, as Autocar noted, Toyota recently hinted that it might introduce a new Prius model.
Toyota has been mum about how the Prius will be impacted by its latest revelation regarding ambitions for electric vehicles. Andrea Carlucci, Toyota’s head of product and marketing, was contacted by Autocar and asked if the “Regardless of whether a new generation of the Prius is released, it remains a key vehicle in the Toyota lineup. He responded to the question with the following:
“The Toyota Prius has undoubtedly been a symbol for Toyota and continues to be the electrification pioneer. Our journey back more than 25 years began with it. We need to ensure that it will always be a leader in that kind of technology and maintain its role, so even if I can’t say much more, we don’t want to waste our icon now or in the future.
Terrific Fuel Economy
Even among hybrids, the Prius has excellent fuel efficiency. Only the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid’s EPA-estimated 59-mpg rating in base L Eco trim comes close to its EPA-estimated 56 mpg combined rating. The combined fuel economy for other Prius trims with front-wheel drive is a respectable 52 mpg, while the combined fuel economy for AWD models is an astounding 49 mpg, which is exceptional for any vehicle with AWD.
Choice of Drive Wheels
In an effort to keep customers who may otherwise be drawn to an SUV, the Prius started to come with AWD for 2019. It continues to be among the most economical AWD vehicles available. The innovative technology operates independently from the hybrid powertrain that propels the front wheels, using an electric motor to drive the back wheels at up to 43 mph. It runs without a hitch and raises the price by only $1,000 to $1,400, depending on trim.
Surprisingly Good Handling
In twisty roads, the Prius handles surprisingly well and can be fun to drive. Our AWD test car felt balanced and controlled with minimal body lean, despite the steering’s rather vague center but quick feedback as you turn into curves.
Lots of Safety Tech
The most recent iteration of the Toyota Safety Sense package of driving aids is standard on all Prius grades. Included in this are automated high beams, lane departure steering assistance, automatic emergency braking, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition. Except for the lowest L Eco trim, all models will get rear cross-traffic detection and blind spot warning by 2021. Curve-adaptive headlights are added to top trims.
What class of vehicle is a Prius?
The Toyota Prius has a gasoline engine and an electric motor that are independent from one another because it is a parallel hybrid (unlike some other types of hybrids).
How much time should a Prius have?
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.
What issues are there with Toyota Prius?
The top complaints for various model years are listed below:
- Crack-Prone Windshield. One of the most prevalent issues with the 2016 Toyota Prius is windshield cracking.
- excessive use of oil.
- Engine Problems.
- Inadequate headlights
- Accessory problems inside.
- Fuel gauge reading that is incorrect.
What took the Prius’ place?
What will the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid mean for the current Prius lineup now that it is scheduled to debut this spring? The compact Prius C will essentially be replaced by the Corolla Hybrid in Toyota’s lineup of hybrid vehicles, the automaker has revealed.
“You’re probably not going to see Prius C for long, Ed Laukes, Group VP of Toyota Marketing said,” Toyota said in a statement to Motor1.
The Prius C accomplished its task successfully.
As a more compact alternative to the standard Prius Liftback, the Prius C made its debut for the 2012 model year. However, the Corolla Hybrid is currently more efficient than the Prius C. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid is rated at 53 mpg in the city and 52 mph on the highway, compared to the 2019 Prius C’s ratings of 48 city mpg and 43 highway mpg.
Toyota claims that the Corolla Hybrid will virtually replace the Prius C, but the cost of the two vehicles is yet unknown. After the Prius V’s demise following the 2017 model year and the impending discontinuation of the Prius C, only the Prius Liftback will remain from the previous Prius family.
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.
- Smaller hybrid city cars are built with more delicate materials than SUVs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Due to their reduced road noise, hybrids have a higher risk of collisions with pedestrians or cyclists.
Are repairs for Prius expensive?
Over the course of its first ten years of use, a Toyota Prius will require roughly $4,008 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $2,756 less than the industry average for popular hatchback models. Additionally, there is an 11.22% risk that a Prius will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to similar vehicles in its sector, this is 10.28% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
What sort of individual operates a 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.
Do Prius hybrids require charging?
A typical drive cycle is used to charge the Prius Hybrid battery. Because the Prius controls the battery charge automatically and keeps it topped off using power from the gasoline engine and/or electricity recovered when braking or decelerating, the hybrid version never needs to be plugged in to recharge the battery.
Nevertheless, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, like the new Prius Prime, can be connected into a Level 1 or Level 2 charging station and also recovers energy while driving utilizing its integrated regenerative braking system. Regenerative braking slows down the electric car by transforming its kinetic energy into a form that may either be used right away or saved for later use.
Recycled power is where the Prius’ true genius lies. Regenerative power is exemplified by the Prius, whose innovative regenerative braking system is the pinnacle of the idea.
What drawbacks come with owning a Toyota Prius?
1. Riding Comfort
The 2018 Toyota Prius has a stiff ride quality, which is unfortunately its biggest 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 though it will need to step it up in 2019 to compete with newer hybrid models from other automakers.