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2009 Toyota Prius Bottom Line

February 19, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

In writing this definitive review, TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests covering the 2009 Toyota Prius. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also have extensive experience driving the Toyota Prius and added their observations and comments to help you make sense where other reviews might differ.

Likes:

  • Versatile hatchback design
  • Great fuel economy
  • Peppy feel at low speeds
  • Roomy interior

Dislikes:

  • Digital gauges
  • Artificial steering feel
  • Noisy ride
  • Quality of interior materials

Buying Tips:


Even with a new model expected soon for 2010, discounts and rebates are hard to come by. However, a history of high resale value should soften the sticker shock.

Even though the 2009 Toyota Prius has a design that's anything but fresh (a new Prius is due for 2010), the Prius has continued to gain popularity because of its combination of excellent fuel economy, five-passenger seating, and versatile hatchback design. The fact that fuel prices have gone through the roof over the past several years hasn’t hurt either.

The current Prius looks more mainstream than the original, but inside, the dashboard and instruments communicate that this is not an ordinary hatchback. The speedometer and other gauges are at the top of the dash, and a large information display resides in the center stack, displaying fuel economy, climate control, radio settings and if so equipped, the optional navigation system. To start the vehicle, you push a button—there is no key slot—and the transmission lever might as well come from a video game.

The 2009 Toyota Prius is powered by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy drive—a fancy name for the company's gasoline-electric powertrain that can operate in pure electric mode at low speeds and while the vehicle is at a full stop. The gas engine is an economical 1.5-liter four-cylinder that runs on regular unleaded and works in synergy with the electric motor when extra boost is needed.  Power transferred to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission keeps the Prius humming in its ideal operating range and helps it achieve 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway. The battery pack is under the cargo floor and recharges via the engine and by regenerative braking.

Performance isn't the primary reason consumers choose the Prius, but the instant torque from the electric motor allows for good power in city driving. On the highway, the 2009 Toyota Prius can cruise and pass safely. Steering feel is artificial, the regenerative brakes are only average, and the ride can get bumpy and noisy. Blame the low rolling resistance tires and the lack of sound deadening to save weight.

The interior of the 2009 Toyota Prius is well laid out, and it offers exceptional roominess compared with other cars in its class. The hatchback design has good room for four adults and a versatile rear hatch for cargo. Seating is comfortable, but the seats themselves and much of the interior are finished in lightweight, inexpensive plastics.

Front, side, and curtain airbags are now standard on the 2009 Toyota Prius, and crash-test scores of mostly four stars are pretty good. The Prius also earns "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Toyota Prius, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2009 Toyota Prius dominates the highly fuel-efficient compact car class, but it does have a couple of interesting competitors. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a 50-state-certified clean-diesel vehicle that delivers excellent fuel economy and is more fun to drive than the Prius. And in the SportWagen body style, the Jetta is even more spacious and versatile than the Prius. The Honda Civic Hybrid approaches the Prius' fuel economy numbers, but has a little less interior room.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Toyota Prius is not a driver’s car, but it delivers excellent fuel economy in a versatile package.

In writing this definitive review, TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests covering the 2009 Toyota Prius. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also have extensive experience driving the Toyota Prius and added their observations and comments to help you make sense where other reviews might differ. Likes:Versatile hatchback designGreat fuel economyPeppy feel at low speedsRoomy interiorDislikes:Digital gaugesArtificial steering feelNoisy rideQuality of interior materialsBuying Tips: Even with a new model expected soon for 2010, discounts and rebates are hard to come by. However, a history of high resale value should soften the sticker shock. Even though the 2009 Toyota Prius has a design that's anything but fresh (a new Prius is due for 2010), the Prius has continued to gain popularity because of its combination of excellent fuel economy, five-passenger seating, and versatile hatchback design. The fact that fuel prices have gone through the roof over the past several years hasn’t hurt either. The current Prius looks more mainstream than the original, but inside, the dashboard and instruments communicate that this is not an ordinary hatchback. The speedometer and other gauges are at the top of the dash, and a large information display resides in the center stack, displaying fuel economy, climate control, radio settings and if so equipped, the optional navigation system. To start the vehicle, you push a button—there is no key slot—and the transmission lever might as well come from a video game. The 2009 Toyota Prius is powered by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy drive—a fancy name for the company's gasoline-electric powertrain that can operate in pure electric mode at low speeds and while the vehicle is at a full stop. The gas engine is an economical 1.5-liter four-cylinder that runs on regular unleaded and works in synergy with the electric motor when extra boost is needed.  Power transferred to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission keeps the Prius humming in its ideal operating range and helps it achieve 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway. The battery pack is under the cargo floor and recharges via the engine and by regenerative braking. Performance isn't the primary reason consumers choose the Prius, but the instant torque from the electric motor allows for good power in city driving. On the highway, the 2009 Toyota Prius can cruise and pass safely. Steering feel is artificial, the regenerative brakes are only average, and the ride can get bumpy and noisy. Blame the low rolling resistance tires and the lack of sound deadening to save weight. The interior of the 2009 Toyota Prius is well laid out, and it offers exceptional roominess compared with other cars in its class. The hatchback design has good room for four adults and a versatile rear hatch for cargo. Seating is comfortable, but the seats themselves and much of the interior are finished in lightweight, inexpensive plastics. Front, side, and curtain airbags are now standard on the 2009 Toyota Prius, and crash-test scores of mostly four stars are pretty good. The Prius also earns "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Toyota Prius, also consider:Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDIHonda Civic HybridReason Why:The 2009 Toyota Prius dominates the highly fuel-efficient compact car class, but it does have a couple of interesting competitors. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a 50-state-certified clean-diesel vehicle that delivers excellent fuel economy and is more fun to drive than the Prius. And in the SportWagen body style, the Jetta is even more spacious and versatile than the Prius. The Honda Civic Hybrid approaches the Prius' fuel economy numbers, but has a little less interior room. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Toyota Prius is not a driver’s car, but it delivers excellent fuel economy in a versatile package. In writing this definitive review, TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests covering the 2009 Toyota Prius. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also have extensive experience driving the Toyota Prius and added their observations and comments to help you make ...

Other Choices:

The 2009 Toyota Prius dominates the highly fuel-efficient compact car class, but it does have a couple of interesting competitors. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a 50-state-certified clean-diesel vehicle that delivers excellent fuel economy and is more fun to drive than the Prius. And in the SportWagen body style, the Jetta is even more spacious and versatile than the Prius. The Honda Civic Hybrid approaches the Prius' fuel economy numbers, but has a little less interior room.

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See the Toyota Prius in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (2 total)

  1. By George Lauster Sr #1, Posted: 2/22/2009

    2008 Prius

    This the worst car I have ever drove in the winter and on wet roads. The traction control needs a switch to shut it off. I have almost been rear-ended a couple of times.

  2. By AutoBoy #2, Posted: 9/10/2009

    while not an owner, having driven the prius on a couple of occasions, i have to say it is impressive to a point. that point is passed when it comes to navigating wet roads. things feel quite "loose" - as if losing control is a distinct possibility (and not because there is any overly aggressive driving mixed in)

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