2005 vs 2006 Toyota Prius

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2005

Nothing that 2006 lacks.

2006

Nothing that 2005 lacks.

Both years

  • HID headlights going out All years

    What to check: Drive with the headlights on for a while and watch for one or both going out, and ask whether bulbs or ballasts have been replaced.

    A published reference reports 28,000 warranty repairs among 216,000 cars with the optional HID headlights, which could shut off without warning. Toyota settled a class action by extending their cover from three years to five, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2007, an unofficial source, owners report a headlight going out at about 97,650 miles on average, and 25 replaced bulbs.

    A published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Brake actuator All years One source so far

    What to check: Watch for brake, ABS or traction warning lights when starting and on a test drive, and ask whether the brake actuator was replaced.

    Toyota's program ZG1 extended cover for the brake actuator, whose internal faults light brake warning lamps, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so on these cars it has ended.

    Toyota

  • Electric water pump All years

    What to check: Ask whether recall 12V536000 was done, and watch the temperature and warning lights.

    A scratch made in assembly could let the coil wire in the electric water pump corrode and break, stopping the pump or stalling the hybrid system. Jalopnik adds that the inverter's water pump can fail with age.

    NHTSA, Jalopnik

  • Steering intermediate shaft All years

    What to check: Ask whether recalls 06V188000 and 12V537000 were done, and feel for play or clunks in the steering.

    Toyota recalled 2004–2006 cars because the steering shaft and sliding yoke could crack, and 2004–2009 cars because the shaft's splines could be too soft and wear until steering failed.

    NHTSA

Recalls

2005

Nothing that 2006 lacks.

2006

Nothing that 2005 lacks.

Both years

  • 06V096000 2004–2006

    Some side, curtain and knee airbag inflators were made without enough heating agent, so the airbag may not inflate properly in a crash. NHTSA

  • 06V188000 2004–2006

    The power steering intermediate shaft and sliding yoke can crack under large forces, and steering control can be lost. NHTSA

  • 09V388000 2004–2009

    An unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. NHTSA

  • 12V537000 2004–2009

    The splines on the steering intermediate shaft may not be hard enough, and can wear until the steering fails. NHTSA

  • 12V536000 2004–2009

    A scratch made in assembly can let the coil wire in the electric water pump corrode and break, stopping the pump or stalling the hybrid system. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2005, up to and including 2006.

  1. 2006Refreshed: restyled headlights and taillights, revised instruments, advanced airbags, and an optional rear camera. Toyota, a published reference

What it came with

2005

Nothing that 2006 lacks.

2006

Nothing that 2005 lacks.

Both years

Engines
1.5L hybrid A published reference
Transmissions
Planetary power-split (eCVT) A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
Base Edmunds

Colors

2005

  • Millennium Silver Metallic 1C0, 2004–2005 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Salsa Red Pearl 3Q3, 2004–2005 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Tideland Pearl 6S9, 2004–2005 An owners' registry (unofficial)

2006

  • Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2006–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2006–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Barcelona Red Metallic 3R3, 2006–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Pine Mica 6U0, 2006–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 2004–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black 202, 2004–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Driftwood Pearl 4S2, 2004–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Seaside Pearl 8S2, 2004–2009 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2005

Nothing that 2006 lacks.

2006

Nothing that 2005 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: Perhaps the most reliable All years One source so far

    Jalopnik ranks the 2nd gen second of five for reliability, saying there is an argument it is the most reliable Prius of all, and points to one that passed 303,000 miles. Jalopnik