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Used 2004 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
440 reviews
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4 out of 5 stars

Domino's Prius Update!

alexx52093, 04/30/2014
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful

Wrote a review about my Dominos' store's Prius'! Updating it! We now have 3 Prius's! Two '04's and an '05! The one I wrote about before is an '04 which now has 220k mi on it and still no problems! It never breaks down or gives up! And it gets driven HARD by many different drivers! The battery still holds charge pretty well, not quite as well as our other Prius's but still returns over 50mpg if driven frugally. Our other 04' Prius has 160k mi and runs great! Same with our '05 that has 120k mi! These vehicles are workhorses! You want a reliable, affordable commuter or work car! This is the one! If it can deliver pizzas, it can do anything!

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5 out of 5 stars

117000 miles on my Prius

Barry, 05/04/2009
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful

I have an 04 Prius with 117000 miles on it. In the earlier years I had all the problems with the car stalling or not wanting to keep going, but Toyota finally resolved those issues with software upgrades and recalls. For the past 3 years I've had no problems. At 112000 miles I needed a new water pump, but otherwise I've had no mechanical issues. The battery is fine. I drive exclusively on local roads, 40 miles each way to work, and get 48 mpg during the winter (New Hampshire winters are brutal) and am now getting 57 mpg in the Springtime. The car gets significantly less gas mileage if I only use it for short hops (5-10 miles) or if I drive on the highway.

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5 out of 5 stars

DO BUY! reliable, practical, comfortable

Dgles, 05/18/2018
updated 11/19/2021
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Update Nov 2021. Bought at 78K miles Nov. 2012 with a rebuilt title for $7800 after having it checked by Toyota dealer. I've been 100% happy. I always buy used cars. I systematically replace ALL fluids and filters soon thereafter. May 2020 I replaced a single battery cell for $30. May 2021 another cell failed so I decided to replace the entire, original 17 year old battery with a lifetime warranty refurb for $1500. Apr 2021 I replaced the Hydraulic Brake module for $700. The interior is durable and easy to clean. Expensive brand new but if patient, you can find a quality used car with an established reputation at a great price and drive it for another 100k miles! Also, used cars have a track record of known failures and repairs that you can look up to help your own troubleshooting and repairs. I only have 145K miles now. I know these go over 300, so a great investment!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun car, looking forward to PHEV or EV

yohan, 11/16/2009
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

After more than six months, the only problem I've had with my 2004 Prius is a dead battery. I've averaged about 52 mpg when I wasn't deliberately driving economically. As a former leadfoot Corvette owner, it took me a while to learn to get 70 mpg or even 99+ mpg, but I did accomplish this using techniques I read in the manual and online. With a car full of husky adults, patience is required for economical acceleration and hill-climbing. The typical American driver will push the pedal for more power, but the electric will kick in and save on gas. I recommend cruise control and some patience to get 50-60 mpg on that long hilly highway trip.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

A car with life time gas coupon 50% off

Allen, 03/29/2010
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Just bought @104K for $8K, like new condition. Not a comfortable car like my 98' Lexus LS400, but I understand the compromise in order to achieve optimal MPG: stiff suspension, low roll resistance tire. My goal is to save money with 50+ MPG for 130 mile daily commute. I can't justify buying a new one for 3.5X price to save ONLY $1800/year on gas at $3/gallon. Performance better than I expected. Technology is truly impressive I am confident to drive it for another 5 years to 300K miles, if the battery OK. Heard many Prius at 200K miles, battery still fine.

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5 out of 5 stars

My Second Prius

4 Dr STD Hatchback, 10/28/2006
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

My first Prius was the 2002 compact model. When I saw the larger 2004 model, I traded. I've driven it on long trips over mountains and averaged 51.7 mpg with a mixture of 70 mph Interstates and 45 to 55 mph 2-lane roads in the Mountains of KY, WV and VA. It has lots of room and is most comfortable and fun to drive.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love my Penguin Prius in snow !

ed, 12/22/2008
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Just bought a used Prius w/ 116,000 miles on it + got a pretty good deal. Took it to work all w/e in heavy 2-day Boston blizzard as I am a nurse + can't call in sick or take snow days. It was surprisingly great in the snow + exceeded all expectations. It is no snowplow but got me through it. The car is a wonder of technology + if @ 1st a little overwhelming it grows on you quick!

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5 out of 5 stars

You Won't Believe My Prius

Gerard Chapin, 10/14/2006
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Do you live in New Jersey? Well I do. Do you know it's the most densely populated state? Well, I do. There are cars everywhere because we lack the mass transportation network needed and we want the freedom of the automobile offers us. Therefore there are frequent traffic jams. When I'm driving my 2004 Toyota Prius I get better mileage when the speeds are slower. So at least if I'm not saving time I'm at least saving money. The Prius has suprising pickup for highway merging since both the elctical system and the combustion system kick in. Air conditioning runs on the battery which in turn is charged by driving and braking. Mileage has been consistently at 50 mpg in the warm weather. Prius

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4 out of 5 stars

Domino's Prius

alexx52093, 03/04/2013
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

I work for my local Domino's Pizza store. It's one of the bigger stores in my area, covering a HUGE area for delivery. My boss has two Prius's as company cars that us drivers get to drive (as well as other vehicles as well). The main Prius we use has been at this store for 3 years now. It's an 04 and was bought with 90K miles on it. It is used all day long every from opening to closing of the store. It now has 186K miles after 3 years of service. There has no been one single problem with it! It is always taken to the dealership for regular maintenance when it is needed. We drivers average about 44-48 MPG when we can. During dinner rush's we can pull around 38 MPG! These things are troopers!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

2004 Toyota Prius

four door std hatchb, 11/14/2006
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great ride, great mileage, great handling. Slightly cramped space for me in passenger seat. Poor visibility to the rear for driver. Plan to buy an 07 for myself and give the 04 to my fiance.

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