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10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2009 Toyota Prius

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Overview

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2009 Toyota Prius Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

At the cutting edge of automotive design and technology, the 2009 Toyota Prius is propelled by a hybrid powerplant consisting of a battery-powered electric motor teamed to a gasoline engine. The two units can work in tandem or individually, allowing the Prius to earn uncommonly good fuel economy figures while producing extremely low (and, under certain conditions, zero of currently regulated) emissions. Offering as much head and legroom as a mid-sized Camry sedan, the Prius can comfortably accommodate four adults, has a surprisingly smooth ride and can be loaded with such high-tech features as a rearview monitor and DVD navigation. For environmentally savvy families seeking to conserve both fuel and the great outdoors, the Prius is second to none.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're concerned about the environment, this car produces minimal greenhouse emissions in stop-and-go driving. Speeds below 30 miles per hour are handled by the electric motor – the gasoline engine comes on only when you need more power or are driving at highway speeds. Nothing says "I'm Green" like a 2009 Toyota Prius parked in your driveway.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If saving money is as important as saving the planet, you can buy a Toyota Corolla for a lot less money and still get pretty good fuel economy and low emissions. The Prius' long-term ownership costs are an unknown, as is the life of the battery pack and the cost to replace it.

What's New for 2009

There are no major changes for the 2009 Toyota Prius. An all-new model is due out in 2010.

Driving the Prius

Driving Impressions The 2009 Toyota Prius is a very technologically advanced machine that employs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine rated at 76 horsepower and a battery-powered electric motor that generates 50 kilowatts (67...

horsepower). The Prius emits no sound when started. One simply pushes the start button, selects D from the dash-mounted shifter and depresses the accelerator. The Prius moves forward in utter silence because initially the electric motor is doing all the work. As the Prius gets up to speed, the car's computer brain signals the gasoline engine to switch on, at which point the electric motor surrenders control in a seamless operation that is virtually undetectable. The differences between driving the Prius and a conventional gasoline-engine car are very subtle – silent acceleration from rest and gasoline-engine shutdown at stops.

Favorite Features

Push-Button Start
Although offered on more and more vehicles at all price levels, push-button start still qualifies as one of our favorite features.

Graphic Power Display
The graphic power display lets the driver monitor the interaction between the gasoline engine and electric motor, even when you can't feel it.

2009 Toyota Prius Details

Interior

The Prius's long wheelbase provides 112-cubic feet of interior space, nearly matching the mid-size Camry. However, with its rear 60/40-split bench seat folded down, the hatchback Prius can undoubtedly carry far more cargo than Toyota's bread-and-butter sedan. The center dash houses a large LCD screen that shows the power transfer map between the gasoline engine and electric motor, as well as the display for the climate, rear backup camera and navigation systems. There is even an optional remote key fob transponder that tells the Prius you are its owner, allowing the doors to be unlocked and the car to be started without the use of a key.

Exterior

The Prius' design is still unconventional, but somehow palatable to the everyday consumer. Compared to the first Prius, the 2009 model is much larger, with a fastback rear hatch design, bigger wheels and tires and a wider stance. A generous serving of side glass makes for good visibility, and the big rear hatch opening can swallow a 25-inch TV with no problem.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Every Prius features a 76-horsepower 1.5-liter gasoline engine teamed to a 50-kilowatt (67-horsepower) electric motor. Also along for the ride is a CVT automatic transmission, anti-lock brake system (ABS), air conditioning, rear defroster, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, illuminated remote keyless entry, AM/FM stereo with CD, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, tilt-wheel with touch controls, rear wiper/washer, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system and alloy wheels. The Touring trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, xenon headlamps and fog lights.

Optional Equipment

Options include DVD navigation, JBL audio with Bluetooth hands-free communications, xenon headlights, leather seats, satellite radio, six-disc CD/MP3 changer, auxiliary audio input jack, garage door opener, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), rear backup camera, Smart entry and starting system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Under the Hood

It may look nice and simple, but beneath the Prius' hood is a complex array of computers, wiring and mechanical intricacy. Do-it-yourselfers will be lost. The engine itself is a basic Toyota four-cylinder internal combustion unit, aided by the electric motor that delivers its power in the form of impressive torque. Power to accelerate and pass is surprisingly strong, and the Prius rarely feels bogged down, even with a full crew onboard.

1.5-liter in-line 4 with 50-kilowatt Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Electric Motor
76 horsepower @ 5000 rpm/67 horsepower @ 1200-1540 rpm (110 net horsepower)
82 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm/295 lb.-ft. of torque @ 0-1200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 48/45

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2009 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.7

Out of 5

Based on 642 Ratings for the 2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius models.

Review this car

Value

4.6/5

Quality

4.7/5
Reliability

4.8/5

Performance

4.4/5
Comfort

4.4/5

Styling

4.4/5

Best car I ever owned!

By wini (MA) on Thursday, February 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 103,000

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 4/5
Comfort: 3/5

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have put 103,000 miles on this car so far and have only taken it in for regular maintenance such as oil changes, new tires and brakes. This is a very reliable car with fantastic gas mileage. I will be handing my car down to my daughter and purchasing another new Toyota Prius. The only thing I really don't like is the speaker system. Everything sounds a bit muffled."

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No car for sale today that I would buy instead.

By BHAinVT (VT) on Thursday, February 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 120,000

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "Ergonomics, MPG, Versatility"

Cons: "Fog lights are worthless"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have averaged over 49 MPG in 7.5 years and over 120K miles. I have saved over $9,000 in gas alone vs a "25 MPG avg" car. ZERO problems with the hybrid system. Replaced only the muffler, 12V battery, one wheel bearing and assorted light bulbs. Maintenance costs have been MUCH lower than any other car I have ever owned and I always buy new and keep 8 to 10 years. Brakes will last almost forever since most braking is done via regeneration. The brake pads are only doing something at < 8 MPH or if you are an aggressive braker (wastes your gas AND brake pads!). Ergonomics are the best. Unlike the current generation, the "joystick" shifter is properly placed on the dash. You hardly ever touch it, not even when you turn the car off because it puts itself in Park (Park is actually a separate button on the dash). Why stick it on the console where it is in the way? With the SmartKey system: NO keys and NOTHING to get out of your pocket/purse. With fob in pocket/purse, just touch the inside of the door handle to unlock. Push the button to lock. Foot on the brake and push the Power button to start the car - Ready in < 3 seconds. Push the Power button to shut it down, get out and close the door. The "joystick" shifter ALWAYS returns to "home". Thus it does NOT matter what "gear" (a misnomer, there are no stepped gears) you are in, Reverse is ALWAYS the same motion, Drive is ALWAYS the same motion. No dragging or worse, bracketing, the shifter through reverse and neutral to get to drive and then back to get to Park. No thinking "I'm in 'x' gear, I need to do 'this' the get to the desired gear". No shift 'lurch' because it has a planetary gear transmission (no cone and belts slop here). With no stepped gears, it just accelerates and decelerates smoothly. You can't strip the gears because they are permanently meshed. And your new driver teen can't screw up the transmission by shifting to R or D when the car is moving in the opposite direction, it will just 'refuse'. Same if you try to push the Park button while moving. Starts in < 3 seconds NO MATTER what the temperature. No puny starter motor driven by a puny 12V battery trying to start it in sub zero temps. -20F is no different than 80F. No rough idle while it warms up before you can drive. And for those who think letting an engine idle 5 minutes to warm up is a good thing: IT IS NOT! It will warm up faster while working once the oil has had a chance to circulate. In a Prius you push Power, it goes to Ready in < 3 seconds and you shift to D or R and go. The electric motor takes the bulk of the work as the engine warms up unless you stand on it. That is another plus, the engine should last almost forever since it is never under heavy load while cold. But YOU will never know the computer is setting the balance, it just drives. I can put almost anything, including 10' long lumber, shy of 4x8 sheet goods INSIDE the car WITH the hatch closed. Contrary to all the contrarians, the traction batteries do NOT fail in 5 years or when the warranty is up. Even if mine were to fail tomorrow, I'd still be $6,500 to the good just on gas savings. But the failures I know of were both in taxis in Australia. One at 220K miles, on at 310K miles. I am not worried."

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