2008 Toyota Prius Safety Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]

#8

in Affordable Midsize Cars

Based on analysis of 40 Prius reviews and test drives.

MSRP: $21,500 - $23,770
Invoice: $20,210 - $21,816
MPG: 48 City / 45 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.5
Performance:7.0
Exterior:7.5
Interior:7.1
Safety:8.6
Reliability:10.0
How we calculate scores
Research we analyzed for this review

Safety - What the Auto Press Says

Strong safety scores are now the rule among midsize cars. The 2008 Toyota Prius earns very good crash test scores, but that result does not stand out among its peers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) awards the Prius four out of five stars for its ability to protect both passengers in a frontal impact.  It earns five out of five for protecting the front passenger in a side impact, and four out of five for the rear passenger. It also receives four out of five stars for its ability to avoid a rollover accident. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the Prius its highest rating, "good," in both frontal offset and side impact tests. The Prius receives only a score of "marginal," however, for its ability to prevent neck injury in a low-speed rear impact crash. Six air bags are standard, along with four-wheel ABS. However, several omissions keep the Prius from reaching the top of our safety ratings. Stability control is an option here - though it's standard on many competitors. And the odd shape creates visibility concerns for some drivers, but not others -- if you're considering a Prius, you may need to pay particular attention to visibility on your own test drive.

  • "Every 2008 Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Stability control is a package option." -- Edmunds
  • Cars.com expressed concern that a "solid bar across the back glass impairs rearward visibility."
  •  "There is also a tire pressure monitoring system to warn the driver if pressures get too low (which can affect fuel economy as well as safety), and an optional rear-view camera to help avoid hard to see objects behind you." -- New Car Test Drive
  • "The Prius's chassis has front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, and front airbags." -- The Auto Channel
  • "The front of the car can't be seen from the twin seats, so you have to guess where the bumper ends. The windshield is huge and the dashboard top is low for good road visibility. However, the split rear window has a rather thick molding that partially hampers rear vision." -- MSN
Review Last Updated: 7/10/08