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2009 Toyota Prius Performance Review

February 19, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Smooth and consistent" acceleration
Edmunds

Excellent fuel economy
ForbesAutos

Toyota isn't doing itself any favors with the Touring's sport tuning
Cars.com

One doesn’t purchase a Prius for its prowess in acceleration or at the drag strip. It is designed for excellent fuel economy in practical package, and it does both exceptionally.

Acceleration and engine performance in the 2009 Toyota Prius are a mixed bag, thanks to the hybrid powertain of the car. Edmunds notes that the unusual powertrain on the 2009 Toyota Prius, known as the Hybrid Synergy Drive, "consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors" whose combined "net peak horsepower is 110." With only the electric motor and batteries, the Toyota Prius can "accelerate up to about 25 mph,” says Edmunds. The added boost of the gasoline engine provides decent, if not glorious, power for the Toyota 2009 Prius. ConsumerGuide observes "slow movement away from a stop accounts for a middling 10.5 sec 0-60 mph," but adds that once the gasoline engine kicks in, the "Prius picks up speed nicely...and copes reasonably well with traffic." ForbesAutos finds that, overall, "acceleration is roughly equivalent to that of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry."

Cars.com points out that the hybrid engine system "teams with a continuously variable automatic transmission" that replaces a more traditional automatic or manual transmission on the Toyota 2009 Prius. One of the benefits of this transmission is that it always keeps the engine in the proper rev range, which Edmunds says helps the Toyota Prius achieve "smooth and consistent" acceleration "from rest all the way to top speed." The transmission also improves efficiency, with ForbesAutos reporting that the 2009 Toyota Prius returns "excellent fuel economy" with an EPA-estimated 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway.

Most reviewers find the Toyota Prius to handle just fine in city driving, but none of them report pushing it too hard on a demanding, twisty road. Edmunds loves the Prius here, lauding the hybrid's "light electric steering, tight turning circle, [and] excellent visibility." However, ConsumerGuide thinks the electric steering feel is different from many other cars and has qualms with the 2009 Toyota Prius' "soft suspension and fairly skinny, economy-based tires," which contribute to "marked cornering lean and noseplow." Cars.com sides with ConsumerGuide, saying that "Toyota isn't doing itself any favors with the Touring's sport tuning," since it would take much more than a suspension upgrade to make the Prius a sporty vehicle.

Conclusion

Numbers don’t lie. The 2009 Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient car in America, and it does so with little compromise in daily driving.

PERFORMANCE | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Smooth and consistent" accelerationEdmundsExcellent fuel economyForbesAutosToyota isn't doing itself any favors with the Touring's sport tuningCars.com One doesn’t purchase a Prius for its prowess in acceleration or at the drag strip. It is designed for excellent fuel economy in practical package, and it does both exceptionally. Acceleration and engine performance in the 2009 Toyota Prius are a mixed bag, thanks to the hybrid powertain of the car. Edmunds notes that the unusual powertrain on the 2009 Toyota Prius, known as the Hybrid Synergy Drive, "consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors" whose combined "net peak horsepower is 110." With only the electric motor and batteries, the Toyota Prius can "accelerate up to about 25 mph,” says Edmunds. The added boost of the gasoline engine provides decent, if not glorious, power for the Toyota 2009 Prius. ConsumerGuide observes "slow movement away from a stop accounts for a middling 10.5 sec 0-60 mph," but adds that once the gasoline engine kicks in, the "Prius picks up speed nicely...and copes reasonably well with traffic." ForbesAutos finds that, overall, "acceleration is roughly equivalent to that of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry." Cars.com points out that the hybrid engine system "teams with a continuously variable automatic transmission" that replaces a more traditional automatic or manual transmission on the Toyota 2009 Prius. One of the benefits of this transmission is that it always keeps the engine in the proper rev range, which Edmunds says helps the Toyota Prius achieve "smooth and consistent" acceleration "from rest all the way to top speed." The transmission also improves efficiency, with ForbesAutos reporting that the 2009 Toyota Prius returns "excellent fuel economy" with an EPA-estimated 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Most reviewers find the Toyota Prius to handle just fine in city driving, but none of them report pushing it too hard on a demanding, twisty road. Edmunds loves the Prius here, lauding the hybrid's "light electric steering, tight turning circle, [and] excellent visibility." However, ConsumerGuide thinks the electric steering feel is different from many other cars and has qualms with the 2009 Toyota Prius' "soft suspension and fairly skinny, economy-based tires," which contribute to "marked cornering lean and noseplow." Cars.com sides with ConsumerGuide, saying that "Toyota isn't doing itself any favors with the Touring's sport tuning," since it would take much more than a suspension upgrade to make the Prius a sporty vehicle. ConclusionNumbers don’t lie. The 2009 Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient car in America, and it does so with little compromise in daily driving.  2009 TOYOTA PRIUS STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "Styling has driven the car's success" ConsumerGuide: "Cabin has its own hi-tech look but materials are nothing special" Edmunds: "Upscale, if not a little oddball" When the Toyota Prius launched its current iteration in 2004, it ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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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