Toyota Prius 2001–2026
On a 2010–2014, ask how much oil it burns and whether Toyota's piston and ring repair was done. On a 2004–2015, watch for brake warning lights. SlashGear's best used years are 2003, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2021.
Generations 5
Photo: “2002 Toyota Prius in Silver Strata Metallic, front right, 11-21-2021” by Cutlass, CC0
1st gen 2001–2003 XW10The first Prius sold in the US: a small five-seat sedan with a 1.5L engine and an electric motor, 97 hp together.Photo: “2006 Toyota Prius, Front Right, 04-10-2021” by SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
2nd gen 2004–2009 XW20The liftback that made the Prius's shape, with Hybrid Synergy Drive, 110 hp, an electric air conditioning compressor and 46 mpg combined.- 3rd gen 2010–2015 XW30Larger 1.8-liter engine and a sleeker body, with solar roof and safety tech options and the first Prius plug-in. Early years burn oil.
- 4th gen 2016–2022 XW50Lower and more economical, on Toyota's new platform, with the Prius Prime plug-in and, from 2019, all-wheel drive.
Photo: “2024 Toyota Prius XLE AWD, front right, 06-01-2024” by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0
5th gen 2023–2026 XW60A low, sleek redesign with a 2.0-liter engine, much more power and optional all-wheel drive. The 2024 North American Car of the Year.
Rare and special
Story
Toyota built the Prius as its car for the 21st century. The first, sold only in Japan from December 1997, was the world's first mass-produced hybrid. Toyota chose the Latin name because it saw the car as the predecessor of cars to come. A published reference
The Prius reached the US in July 2000 as a 2001 model, a five-seat sedan. Toyota sold 24,000 in 2003, twice what it had planned. Toyota, a published reference
The 2004 liftback was named the 2004 North American Car of the Year and was the first hybrid on Car and Driver's 10 Best list. In 2011 Toyota USA let the public pick a plural, and "Prii" won. Toyota, a published reference
The Prius family grew to the Prius v, the Prius c and the plug-ins. By January 2017 the Prius liftback had sold over 1.8 million in the US, the best-selling hybrid there of all time, and the 5th gen was the 2024 North American Car of the Year, its second win. Toyota, a published reference