Consumer reviews
4.4
(9 reviews)
77% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 4.6
- Interior 4.4
- Performance 3.9
- Value 4.0
- Exterior 4.2
- Reliability 4.0
Most recent consumer reviews
5.0
The Perfect "Comute" and "Errand" Car.
September 11, 2019
By cactuscatn from Tucson, AZ
Owns this car
In the 6 years we have owned this car, we have averaged 45 MPG! This is our "town car"; very maneuverable, nimble, comfortable with very light electric powered steering. Perfect in tight parking lots or narrow streets. Room for 4 adults, but rear seat leg room can be an issue with large persons in front. We love this car so much, we will buy a new hybrid battery ($3000) when the time comes. I couldn't find anything I like as well for $3000.
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 5.0
- Performance 4.0
- Value 5.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful.Did you?
4.0
drove like a polished economy car
May 22, 2019
By ivan washington from tacoma washington
Used to own this car
Traded an '02 Impala in for an '03 Prius. Acceleration from a stop for about 2 seconds was glacially slow, then it took off with gus with the foot to the floor. The most fuel economy I could get no matter how feather-footed I was on the gas, was about 45 miles per gallon, after taking some absurdly extreme steps such as driving below the speed limit until somebody pulled up behind me, drafting behind semis and such. If I drove it normally I got about 43, not much difference. NVH was distinctly better than similarly sized autos*, the ride was as smooth and quiet as a Camry of the same period, with the exception of road noise on coarse pavement which was average. Cratered pavement was nicely smoothed of sharp edges. Handling was adequate but a bit tippy on those tiny tires/wheels, a bit of occasional tire squeal on curving on/off-ramps at speed, but I understand the trade-off required in order to get a decent ride quality on those low-rolling-resistance rubbers. Wind noise was quieter than the typical subcompact car, good sound insulation there. The steering was smooth but numb. Turning circle was 32 feet, excellent and a boon to urban maneuvering. I loved being able to squeeze into the left-over parking slot left over where some behemoth-driving jerks hogged-up two parking spaces with their oversized pig-iron. I was able to run on electric-only up to about 35 miles per hour for about a minute before the engine kicked in. *Speaking of engine, it was somewhat loud and there was some mild vibration. the front seats were flat and unsupportive and the seat cushion way too low on the floor, not adjustable for height. Legroom was adequate for this 6'3" driver, but just barely, ditto headroom. Lumbar support was also lacking. I sold it because my insurance company majorly upped my premiums as [they explained] this car is expensive to repair.
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 3.0
- Interior 4.0
- Performance 3.0
- Value 3.0
- Exterior 4.0
- Reliability 3.0
- Purchased a New car
- Used for Commuting
- Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful.Did you?
4.0
Expensive to maintain
March 26, 2018
By Sggs2404
Used to own this car
This was expensive to maintain, compared to other Toyota?s. I bought it at $145k miles and that same year I had to replace the hybrid battery ($2k) and CAT ($1700). All repairs and main fence need to be done at a dealership, because other mechanics don?t know how to work on hybrids (everything looks different under the hood). So that gets pricey. Also, the power that it has is lacking. It has as much power as a golf cart. Going up hills is the worst. Reliable otherwise.
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 4.0
- Interior 3.0
- Performance 3.0
- Value 3.0
- Exterior 3.0
- Reliability 4.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does not recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful.Did you?
See all 9 consumer reviews
Safety
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings (scores out of 5)
Based on the 2003 Toyota Prius base trim.
- Frontal driver
- 3
- Frontal passenger
- 4
- Nhtsa rollover rating
- 4
- Side driver
- 3
- Side rear passenger
- 3
Warranty
New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Toyota
New car program benefits
- Bumper-to-bumper
-
36 months/36,000 miles
- Corrosion
-
60 months/unlimited distance
- Powertrain
-
60 months/60,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
- Maximum age/mileage
-
7 years/less than 85,000 miles
- Basic warranty terms
-
12 months/12, 000 miles
- Powertrain
-
7 years/100,000 miles
- Dealer certification required
- 160- or 174-point inspections
- Roadside assistance
- Yes
Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?
