2009 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews Page 2

Beats the the Civic hands down

Written by: SteveB on 06/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Bought the Prius May 2009 and love it. Had one as a rental car for a week and decided then that my next car was going to be a Prius. Thanks to Toyota's 0% interest, I'm not a liar. We are averaging about 46 mpg with mostly interstate driving and some city. I have averaged as high as mid 50's on the interstate while still doing approx 65 mph. I think my wife just has a heavy foot when she drives. Traded in a 07 Civic and WOW, the Prius beats the Civic in every category, especially comfort and performance. I no longer feel like I am driving a college kid's car. The dealer had aftermarket leather installed on the seats, but gave me a great deal on this car.

Favorite Features

Hybrid, look, performance and MPGs.

Suggested Improvements

Tinted rear and back side windows.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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MPG Machine

Written by: Bone11241124 on 06/14/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I purchased the car specifically for maxing out my mpg and it's lived up to its billing. In the 3 months I've been driving it I average 62 mpg city/53 mpg highway/58 mpg combined (well above the combined 47 mpg EPA rating). Comfort and styling are above average in my opinion. Overall power is below average... but I didn't buy this car for the power. Great commuter car as it has already saved me $200 in gas compared to my former vehicle (2005 Toyota 4runner). You can find alternate commuter cars at a better price but not with this much comfort/styling or getting this good of mileage!

Favorite Features

1. EV mode allows you to drive gas free under 42 mph (using a feather foot on the GO pedal). 2. For a mid-size car... plenty of cargo room. Seats fold down nicely to allow for larger cargo. 3. Interior designed well with plenty of instrumentation to allow for great mpg's!

Suggested Improvements

1. Low rear roof causes limited rear view out back window (understood given the low drag of the car). 2. Could use more horsepower (addressed in 2010 model).

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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2nd generation Prius

Written by: GBRACH on 06/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius Standard 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Have owned 04, 05, 06, 08, 09 Prius. No other car is even close. Very quiet, tracks perfectly, extremely fast. CVT is only transmission to have. Shift by wire is magnificent. Trunk space is incredible. Comfortable. If gas was 20 cents a gallon I would still buy Prius. Will get 2010 next. We have an 08 and 09 at present. Excellent brakes and build quality.

Favorite Features

CVT tranny and electric shift, hatchback.

Suggested Improvements

Rear window visibility. Surround view, rear view mirror to eliminate blind spots.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A Great Mix of Gas and Electricity

Written by: Joe in Iowa on 06/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I have now owned my Base Prius-Package 6 for 7 mos and 7,700 mi. I love it with a couple of exceptions. First, it is best if you are not over 5'10" sitting in the front passenger seat. Second, the navigation system is a waste (spend $200 on a Garmin). The actual mileage I have had has ranged from 35-37 mpg (winter) to 44-48 mpg in the above freezing months. My dealer said this is a more realistic expectation than the published numbers. Otherwise, it drives great (expect performance commensurate with its horsepower),the interior toys and quality are terrific, and I would definitely buy another one. The leather seat covering is great, but for almost $30,000 I would expect elect. seats.

Favorite Features

Keyless entry-starting, screen display of radio, climate control, telephone, nav., and trip/performance computer. Leather seats. Storage well under rear cargo area. HUGE cargo carrying ability with back seats folded down. Backup camera (needed with the large blind spots).

Suggested Improvements

Electric (sliding-raising) seats. Telescoping steering wheel. Allow front seats to slide back a little more. Other than nitpicky items, a great car.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Exactly what I expected

Written by: michael on 05/25/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The prius is incredibly economical and the advanced powertrain engineering is very clear. The interior space is exceptionally good, although at 5'11" it would be nice if the driver seat could be moved and additional inch rearward. I have owned SUVs as well as sports cars and sedans, but this is one of the easiest cars I've driven yet. In town this Prius gets 53 MPG and for day to day commuting it handles well. It is not a car that I enjoy driving fast, since at the limit of handling it is a little unsettled. The turn radius is fantastic though, and it understeers predictably through tight fast corners. The acceleration is similar to a mid 70s American sedan - it won't win any races.

Favorite Features

Tight turn radius, a decent amount of interior space, great visibility, exceptional fuel economy, overall quietness, ride is very comfortable, fit and finish, low cost.

Suggested Improvements

Sun roof option, louder horn, better quality interior fabric, diesel engine, improved performance (it would be Nice to have a 0 - 60 mph in 8.5 seconds), improve the voice activated phone. Improve seat support. Less body roll in turns.

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Roger on 05/24/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius Standard 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I have only owned the car for a week so I'm still learning how to operate a high tech hybrid vehicle, I drove a similar size car for five years that rode, felt and sounded like a small car. The Prius drives like an upscale mid-sized sedan. It's quiet, comfortable, handles well, and has gotten over 50 mpg in city and highway driving the first week of operation. Fit and finish is outstanding. According to CR, reliability should be well above average. So far, I'm very satisfied with the car. I was interested in waiting for the new 2010 model but was able to save thousands by purchasing one of the last of the 09s.

Favorite Features

High Tech, fuel economy, drive comfort, quiet ride, fit and finish, interior room, hatchback.

Suggested Improvements

power adjust and heated seats, duel zone heating and air conditioning

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Prius rocks for emf protection

Written by: Yssa on 05/23/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We were not crazy about the design (little more room in the trunk please! - and low rear view visibility) BUT if you are concerned about exposing your kiddies in the back seat to high - quite arguably harmful levels -of electromagnetic radiation and you want a hybrid, then Prius is the car for you. We measure very safe levels in all parts of the car - with only slight raise (several seconds) while breaking. We found very unsafe levels in other hybrid cars we tried and that's why we got a Prius. Toyota obviously has taken precautions to minimize a health risk - even one not generally talked about. Wow. How often can you say that about a big company! Way to go Toyota!

Favorite Features

Great mileage. Great EMF protection. Great safety features. What's not to like.

Suggested Improvements

Come on people. I know you can design an equally mileage savvy car with more trunk room. And actually being able to see out that hatchback would be nice.

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Love my Prius

Written by: Jo on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I cannot express how much we love this car. I have wanted one since they came out and finally did it when Toyota offered zero percent financing. It is everything I thought it would be. My first trip, I averaged 50.8 mpg. I am getting around 49 in town. Unbelievable.

Favorite Features

I am pleasantly surprised at all the room inside. Lots of secret compartments and storage.

Suggested Improvements

Cannot think of anything!

11 out 12 people found this review helpful

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World's worst seats!!

Written by: APH on 04/26/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I must say that overall I'm quite happy with my Prius-look, performance, gas mileage-but what the heck was Toyota thinking with those seats?! I eagerly took my brand new Prius on a 200 mile r/t roadtrip (one I do every month) to upstate NY. About 1/2 hr into my ride my back started hurting and my tailbone began throbbing. By the time I got back home that evening, I was in serious agony! I can't believe Toyota put so much attention into the technology-bluetooth, reverse cameras, smart key, the entire hybrid system-and the seats were just a mere afterthought! No lumbar support? Really???? Now I'm in the market for some seats that don't feel like rocks so I can tolerate my 80 mile r/t commute!

Favorite Features

Navi, bluetooth, spacious interior, gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

SEATS! Save yourself a trip to the chiropractor and wait for the 2010.

25 out 26 people found this review helpful

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As advertised

Written by: peter on 04/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Prius Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Does what it has to do well. Looking through the real window can be a problem. Plenty of room for a car of its size. Gas mileage on short trips is not real good but wonderful when warmed up.

Favorite Features

Room and flexibility. Smart key is neat.

Suggested Improvements

Seats are not that great for long trips. Real visibility needs improvement. (camera helpful). Heated seats would be nice.

15 out 16 people found this review helpful

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