2008 Toyota Prius [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 40 Prius reviews and test drives.
Toyota Prius - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Toyota Prius ranks 10 out of 25 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 40 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Prius, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Prius ranks solidly in the middle of the pack when considered as a hybrid or as a midsize sedan. The Prius's ranking is based on its industry-leading fuel economy, combined with a spacious interior and a standard equipment package that make it competitive as a midsize car, not just a hybrid. However, its styling continues to divide reviewers even after nearly five years on the market, and it sacrifices performance in the pursuit of fuel efficiency. In our hybrid rankings, the 2008 Prius falls behind its corporate cousin, the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid, as well as the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. Those vehicles don't achieve quite the level of fuel efficiency that drives the Prius's fame, but they also do not suffer some of the performance compromises the Prius makes in pursuit of fuel economy. Little has changed in the Prius for 2008, a car which has not had a major redesign since 2004. One important change for 2008 is the introduction of a "standard" trim which lacks features like heated mirrors and cruise control, but is available at a lower cost than the "base" trim level.
The automotive press sees the 2008 Toyota Prius as both a technological marvel that achieves better fuel efficiency than nearly any other vehicle every built, and as an average midsize family car. The Prius was named a Consumer Reports Top Pick for 2008 (as well as each of the preceding four years). The car's unique hatchback body is mostly well-liked, although it has a few detractors. Its interior is considered well-built and reasonably comfortable, though packed with quirky technologies that some see as unnecessary. It is as safe as most midsize cars and offers Toyota's legendary reliability. The current generation of Prius debuted in the 2004 model year, and it is unusual for Toyota to leave a design on the market for so long. A planned redesign has been pushed back several times as battery technology evolves, and we may not see an entirely new Prius until 2010 or later.
- "For those who want their car to serve as a green badge of commitment, the Prius is still the answer." --Car and Driver
- "Whatever your opinion about its shape, there is no denying the car is packed with technology and is a marked improvement over its predecessor." -- Road and Track
- "I have to admit, this might just be the most impressive vehicle I have ever driven." Automobile.com:
- "Already in its second generation when most manufacturers have yet to introduce their first hybrids, the Prius represents the engineering might of Toyota and perhaps the future of gasoline-powered automobiles." --Automobile Magazine
- "On the whole the Prius is so proficient for its price that it should no longer be categorized as a quirky, alternative-fuel vehicle, but as an above-average mass-market sedan that just happens to have some extra brains under the hood. --U.S. News:
- "The new Prius is an especially good vehicle for urban dwellers." --Chicago Sun-Times
Prius Performance - 7.0 (Good)
The 2008 Toyota Prius is a technologically unique vehicle, with propulsion, steering and braking systems unlike anything else made today. Yet, says Road and Track, "More often than not, people are impressed with how normal it is to drive." The hybrid category is not for folks looking to get on the race track, but Prius owners still need to drive the same roads more conventional vehicles travel. Continue with our full Performance Review to see how the auto press rates the Prius' ability to get around town, as well as how it fares against its traditional rival, the Honda Civic Hybrid. continue
Prius Exterior - 7.5 (Good)
Automobile Magazine says "the funky five-door Prius is one of the most distinctive shapes on the road -- a truly futuristic piece of car design." Most reviews of the Prius' exterior describe its shape rather than draw any conclusions - good or bad -- although one reviewer likened it to a duck-billed platypus. Indeed, even the positive comments seem to damn the Prius with faint praise. See for yourself in the Toyota Prius Photo Gallery one of the most aerodynamic cars ever built, or continue with our full Exterior Review to see the auto press contort itself in trying to judge this car. continue
Prius Interior - 7.1 (Good)
The Prius offers one of the roomiest cabins in the midsize car class, with a level of fit and finish few manufacturers can match. Yet its long list of options can quickly drive up the price, and some of the unusual technologies found in the cockpit don't win over all reviewers. See details in the Toyota Prius Photo Gallery, or continue with our full Interior Review to read more about the Prius cabin, including some features that polarize the automotive press. continue
Prius Safety - 8.6 (Very Good)
The 2008 Toyota Prius offers a comprehensive package of safety features common in this class of car. The Detroit News says that "families likely will appreciate the available safety features," including a standard suite of six air bags and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. Continue with our full Safety Review to see the '08 Prius' solid safety test scores, along with some auto press concerns about visibility. continue
Prius Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Toyota Prius reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2008 Toyota Prius has basic warranty coverage for the first three years or 36,000 miles. Continue with our full Reliability Review to see the unique concerns that auto press has for a vehicle which is breaking new technological ground, as well as the unusual warranties involved in a hybrid vehicle. continue
