- 2010
2009 Toyota Prius
- Used Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius - What the Auto Press Says
The Toyota Prius is the icon of green automobiles. But it's also a functioning family car for millions -- and the automotive press finds that it fills that role well.
The Toyota Prius is two things. On one hand, it's a cultural touchstone -- it has come to symbolize a certain world view, and may be both more celebrated and more mocked than any other car on the market today. On the other hand, for many Americans, the Prius is their car. Long past caring what it says about them, they drive it to work, load it with groceries and vacuum out the dog hair.
The 2009 Prius hits showrooms after a 2008 that saw record-high gas prices -- and more than ever, car shoppers are looking at Toyota's iconic hybrid as a family car that might help them stretch their monthly budgets. They care about how well it works as a car.
The consensus of the automotive press is that the Prius is a nice one. It makes some performance sacrifices in the quest for fuel efficiency, but when gas can hit $4 a gallon, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Prius holds its own against most of the midsize car pack, even on the highway. It doesn't challenge the top of the class on performance, but that isn't the point of a Prius, anyway. It offers a lot of usable space. It's reasonably comfortable. And yes, it has the best average fuel economy of any new car in America in 2009, which makes sense for a lot of people.
It's also possible, at the moment, to negotiate with a dealer on the price of a Prius. As demand peaked for fuel-efficient cars in 2008, that wasn't true. At one point, the average Prius was selling less than two days after it arrived at the dealership -- meaning dealers had no reason to discount the cars. In January of 2009, however, Toyota offered a $750 cash-back rebate on the car. See our best car deals page for details. The amount of the rebate may not be much, but the signal it sends -- that Toyota has to entice buyers to look at the Prius -- is big news for car shoppers.
Some still might need a more traditional midsize car but want hybrid fuel-efficiency. For those buyers, the Toyota Camry Hybrid or Nissan Altima Hybrid might make a nice compromise. But the Prius is much closer to a traditional midsize car than many buyers realize.
An important point is that the 2009 Prius is the 2008 Prius. Nothing substantive has changed. Rumors circulated on the web throughout 2008 about an entirely new Prius for 2009, but that car has now been delayed until the 2010 model year. As of September, 2008, the average Prius was spending less than a day on a dealership lot before selling -- Toyota was selling them as fast as they could make them, so they didn't change anything.
An entirely new Prius is scheduled to arrive in 2010, which may manage significantly better gas mileage, but no official details have been revealed. By that time, the Prius may have more competition for the fuel-efficiency crown, with the Chevy Volt on the way, the new Honda Insight in showrooms, and other manufacturers developing similar cars.
The Prius is offered in three trim levels -- standard, base and touring, with one universal powertrain.
Be sure to check for current Toyota Deals that may be available on a new Prius.
- "No car combines fuel- and space-efficiency quite like the 2009 Toyota Prius. In the end, we think this is the hybrid that will best meet the needs of 'most people.'" -- Edmunds
- "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 - 7.4 (Good)
With unique propulsion, steering and braking technologies, the 2009 Toyota Prius is mechanically unlike almost any other car. Yet, says Road and Track, "More often than not, people are impressed with how normal it is to drive." No one is going to buy a Prius for its performance -- but it's not much of a reason to avoid one, either. The car's handling requires an unusually light touch, but actually gives it greater agility than many midsize cars. Read More
Prius Exterior - 8.1 (Very Good)
The teardrop shape of the 2009 Prius used to be a strange sight. Today, it's a cultural icon -- is there anyone who doesn't recognize it on sight? Not every reviewer loves it, but most don't seem to grade the car down for its nerdy looks anymore. Many do, however, take the time to explain why the Prius has its unusual teardrop shape -- and why some new competitors coming on the market this year look nearly the same. Read More
Prius Interior - 7.4 (Good)
The five-door Prius offers one most spacious cabins in the midsize car class. Its interior is built with Toyota's usual high level of quality, but includes some technologies that polarize reviewers. "The overall look of the 2009 Prius is upscale, if not a little oddball," say Edmunds. Its equipment list sets it apart from its chief competition, the new Honda Insight. The Prius may be a bit more expensive, but it has a lot more to offer without checking any options boxes. Read More
Prius Safety - 8.1 (Very Good)
The 2009 Toyota Prius receives respectable safety scores from the federal government, but with many five-star scores common in the midsize car class, its four-star performance is starting to look below standard. Most reviewers also express concerns with low visibility in the Prius. Read More
Prius Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2009 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 2009 Toyota Prius has basic warranty coverage for the first three years or 36,000 miles, in addition to warranty coverage specific to its hybrid technologies. With Toyota's strong reputation for quality, the Prius is starting to erase many early concerns about the lifespan of hybrid components. Read More
