Used 2005 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews
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Great car until the hybrid battery pack failed at 109k
armory, 01/13/2013
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
124 of 127 people found this review helpful
Bought used with 58k miles. Car is extremely quiet. Car gets around 48mpg after changing your driving habits. You can fill up the gas tank for about $35. Changing the oil is easy b/c the oil filter is attached at the very bottom of the engine and nothing is below it. My hybrid battery died at 109k miles. This is a $3500 repair at Toyota. I would not have bought a Prius if I would have known the battery would not last longer. I replaced the battery pack myself with a refurbished one from priusrebuilders.com for about $1000 and sold the car. Money saved in gas was used to pay for repair. A Prius sitting and not being driven is the number 1 reason for battery packs not lasting.
Couldn't be happier
Roberta Gold, 02/12/2016
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
27 of 27 people found this review helpful
This is a great, reliable car with awesome mileage. On average I get 42, but I do a lot of short city trips. On the highway it's 50. Comfortable to drive, powerful enough. Never had a mechanical problem with it.
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What a great little car!
Delbert Burgess, 10/29/2015
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
51 of 53 people found this review helpful
The only complaints . . . we have four . . . the headlights cost over $200 each to replace, the update disk for the GPS is outrageously expensive (so we have never, and probably never will, update it - can't afford to), the sun visors are very small and don't (but could) have an extension so they are practically useless for the side window, and there are no USB ports in the 2005 model.
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Loved it enough to buy another Prius!
britbug, 01/13/2015
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
57 of 60 people found this review helpful
I purchased a used 2005 Prius 2 years ago ($8500) with 81K miles. It now has 120K miles & I just traded it in (got $4,250 for the trade) for a 2010 Prius ($14,900). The hybrid battery was replaced by the last owner under warranty at 79K. The A/C compressor broke last year, the evaporator broke this year. I am just writing it off as a fluke though, & bought another Prius because I loved it so much & expect Toyota to only get better with this design. I could get 64mpg with fuel efficient tires & if I was trying, but averaged 50mpg with cheap tires and when I wasn't trying. I loved the luxury features in an affordable car & loved the hatchback style that I could fit anything in.
Very reliable and economical!
3angelsfly, 12/18/2011
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
45 of 48 people found this review helpful
We now have 145,000 miles on our Prius and it has no mechanical problems and drives as good as it did when I purchased it with 67k. Still getting 45 mpg, and I don't drive easy. Cannot find a better car out there for the money and cost of ownership. Have done basic maintenance--oil changes, spark plagues, air filter, trans fluid, and a new 12V battery, and tires. Only thing that stopped working was the cd changer, but we use an ipod through the tape deck anyway. Still using original headlight bulbs, and brakes. Car handles well; very easy to drive, very good in snow and ice. Unfortunately, the car does not have comfortable seats, and is not sporty or fun to drive for a young man.
.... But it's practical for god's sake!!!
The Davy, 02/04/2018
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
Practicality is the name of the Prius's game. This was never more true than with this generation of the quintessential hybrid we all know (and love?). I drove this car for 4 years after my father darn near drove it into the ground, and still sold it for a grand with a gash in the side and 286,000 miles. We had to replace the hybrid battery once, near the half-life of the car, and the Toyota dealership was never exactly wallet-friendly for any general part replacements (I own a Kia now and have been treated like a saint in their stores comparatively). Let's start under the hood: everyone knows there is NO reason to drive the Prius for fun... but I'm here to dispute that claim. The CVT and electric torque make it feel much peppier than it is, especially in city driving. The other great thing about it being a TOYOTA continuously variable unit is that you NEVER feel any transmission hiccups. It didn't age a day over the span of 12 years. I could say more about Toyota's reliability, but I'd rather move onto the complaints I might file, that will have Toyota loyalists bashing my door down for sure. INTERIOR: It is so darn loud. The engine drones (and I'm not even a CVT hater, personally), you hear ALL the wind, and you hear ALL the road. I get that it is built to be a machine of efficiency, but I can't be the only one who wants to be able to have a front seat-back seat conversation without the necessitation of a megaphone. The materials are more of the same. "Keep it light!" shouts Toyota. "It'll help fuel economy!" Well, sure I was still getting 38-42 MPG by the time I gave it up, and I know hybrid technology was newer and more expensive in 2005, but by golly if I don't end up with fragmented elbow joints from simply resting my elbows on the center armrest and the door panel. Yeesh. That being said, just TRY to scratch that plastic on the door panel. You can't do it. So good for Toyota on that one, I suppose. The seats have no vertical adjustors, so even my 5'6 frame was wedged tight between the seat and the ceiling no matter what kind of sorcery I tried to work with the horizontal positioning, bearing in mind that I also had to keep the IMPOSSIBLY stout steering wheel column at (very short) arm's length, since there was no telescoping to be had. BUT, the seats are very comfortable if you ignore the feeling of the ceiling liner involuntarily restyling your hair. This car was more abused than used in the time that my family owned it. Two kids essentially grew up in this car, spilling ranch dressing and cheeto dust and various other multicolored foods onto the beige interior fabrics. It may or may not have had a frustrated foot jammed down onto the pedal a few times. This is a car that CAN stand up to the abuse. The sheet metal is definitely thin, but the paint must have been zealously applied, since it seems you could not make a CHIP in that stuff if you were to drop a boulder on the car. And considering the reliability track record, the car could probably drive away from said boulder drop. The instrumentation inside is silly, and no matter how long you live with the car, you will never get used to looking at a digital speedometer that also happens to offset toward the CENTER of the car (so the passenger can critique your speed as well?), or the fact that you must toggle through the touch screen interface just to adjust the air conditioning. You can pack for seven different camping trips at once in a car with this much storage space. The rear seats fold nearly flush with the floor of the trunk, making for a maddeningly convenient hatchback plateau. Legroom in the back is adequate, except in the center, especially when the potentially groin-intrusive cupholders are in use. Headroom goes on for days and visibility is such that it feels as though you're driving a greenhouse. Buy this car and love it. Drive it like a go-kart or like a U-Haul. There should be no middle ground.
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Why I gave up my Lexus for this
JohnDK, 09/18/2004
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I turned in my Lexus early. Lease was costing too much per mile and the price of gas at 18mpg is now $30 per tank. I was hoping only for great gas milage and got that and more. Driving the Prius is like driving the future. It's 98% smooth, not luxurious. I would have liked all auto windows, power seats, leather, memory on seat position, etc. And they COULD do this and add another few thousand to this car. But just the way it is, is amazing. That's why there is a 4-6 month wait for these and people are paying $500-$2000 over MSRP. How stupid are we in America.. WE should be building these. Drives fair to good, Don't expect a BMW or Lexus.
great car
gart pres, 10/11/2015
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
37 of 40 people found this review helpful
i have a 2005 pirus with 380, miles still running strong always change my oil at 3000 miles and never changed the battery.
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Issues with 05 prius you should know
2005 prius , 06/11/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
After purchasing my 05 prius with factory navigation and HID headlights, package 6 I believe. Just be aware that all 04 and 05 had the ugly painted door panels and dash, I strongly would avoid these if you can get the 06 and newer. the paint has peeled off on these parts. I went to a prius dismantler and purchased all the door panels and dash parts from a 08 prius to do the swap, so much nicer. The second and biggest issue is the HID headlight bulbs, they just shut off while you use them . The best solution is replace them with aftermarket HID bulbs, do not use the factory Toyota bulbs, they will go out again. Numerous owners have had this issue, ballast is not the problem, it's the bulbs.
Commuter Car
ec135, 07/04/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
The Prius is the best car I have owned. Purchased new, currently 145,000 miles, the finish looks new when waxed, quality of construction is like new, and it still gets 50+ miles per gallon on a talk of gas (89). Only replaced tires, lights, and a water pump at 115K. My complaint is the $300 headlights. If the car sets the wrong image for you, put an NRA sticker in the window and enjoy passing gas stations.
Cheap Car
Cheap Car, 02/26/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Make no mistake, this is a cheap feeling car. It's light, noisy, rides rough, and has no refinement or elegance whatsoever. It drives and feels like those mini Toyota Tercels that girls drove in college. The interior is plastic (silver plastic?), and the dashboard screams cheap and plastic. I've already had a door piece fall off. It's not nearly a midsize; sit in it and compare it to a Camry. It also gets blown all over the road, and gooses itself up hills. For $22,000+, this car isn't a real car. This is the most expensive car I've bought, yet it drives and feels like the cheapest. Wait for the hybrid Camry, or try a hybrid Civic or Accord.
Prius overrated
tg, 08/17/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
The car has been recalled for steering problems and has died twice on the freeway because of another problem. I get anywhere from 38 to 41 mpg. I do take short drives to work on the freeway which reduces fuel efficiency apparently. The car handles poorly and is very top heavy and sways while I'm driving especially if there is any wind at all. It's hard to see out the rear window. C+ rating.
Historic hybrid
Rob, 08/15/2019
updated 08/18/2022
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2005 Prius 10 years ago with 41,000 miles and now have 194,000. I do all of my own work. Knowing how to work on a hybrid helps when repairs are needed. And this car has had some problems over the years. I take care of my vehicles and the problems that I’ve had are known issues with this generation. The Combination Meter (speedo on dash) failed at 120k. Removed, sent out to a guy in Wisconsin that repairs for $150, reinstalled and works fine. Replaced both rear taillights due to LED failures... aftermarket for $120 for both. Replaced inverter water pump $75. Replaced water control valve $125. Replaced 12 volt battery twice $400 Replaced front pads and rear shoes $125 Replaced front calipers $100 Replaced heater blower $40 Replaced heater resistor block $12 Main battery needed a couple of cells repaired due to leaking electrolytes $12 which is a temporary fix. Will rebuild battery with new cells $1600. So not a failure proof car. And if I had work done at dealer would have cost thousands more. But I still think this generation Prius is THE car that started the move away from burning fuel and towards electrification. History will show that this car was the bridge to the future. And even with the repairs needed. I plan on getting another 100k miles.
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Prius Safety concerns
Rog LaShomb, 11/09/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Mileage projections are to high. About 44 is accurate. Storage in back is poor Nice little bins under carpet but they are of no value. Very hard to see out of when changing lanes. Can you this vehicle being accident prone. Hard to see out from sides also. Very poor design for safety factors. Bad seat roomy comfortable. Smart key system makes it very easy to leave keys in car.
Worked beautifully until warranty ran out
MLJB, 09/01/2018
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
I am second owner, but the first owner was my sister and her husband. They bought the car new in 2005 and had it until 2013 when they divorced and I took it. They didn't have any major problems with it and I presume they had regular maintenance done. I took the car at 8 years and just over 110,000 miles. It worked great for 3 years. All I did was regular oil changes and had brake work done once. At year 11 and 151,000 miles (just after the 10 year/150,000 mile warranty expired) the red light of death came on because the hybrid battery was dying. Let the car sit for about 6 months (thank God I had a second car to use) because my husband was gone with the military and when he came back he replaced it with a refurbished battery from Dorman because that warranty was better than getting a new battery installed at the Toyota dealership. We figured we'd keep the car until the second hybrid battery died, assuming the car would last through, and probably longer than, the battery's warranty period of 3 years. (Yeah right!) We replaced the auxiliary battery at the same time for a grand total of $1700. Within 18 months, at barely 13 years and 161,000 miles, the red light of death came on again because the replacement auxiliary battery was already dying. Naturally this occurred while on vacation. When the red death light came on I pulled over, turned the car off and then couldn't get it started again. So I spent another $400 replacing it again plus towing fees.(Why didn't Toyota come up with an emergency way to put the car in neutral? Towing the Prius is a pain in the ass!) Within 2 days of the auxiliary replacement, I turned off the car at a rest stop and when I turned it back on the front dash was dead- no speedometer, no gas level, no odometer, the touchscreen was partially functioning, and I had turn signals. I figured I couldn't make it 800 miles home without either a odometer or a gas gauge. Car did turn on and thankfully I was about 10 miles to next town so I made it to the dealership. I needed the computer component that lights the dash, a very rare thing to break down according to the dealership. My vacation was extended by 4 days because they had to order the part (only around $200) and then spend hours installing it (over $600 labor) because the entire dash had to be taken apart. When I got the car back all 4 air vents were broken. After 13 years the plastic get brittle; if Toyota had offered to reduce the price of the vents, or help cover the cost, I probably would have ordered 4 more because, yes, after 13 years in the California and Arizona sun, I believe the plastic gets brittle too. Made it home $1400 poorer from vacation after the battery and front dash. Less than 2 months later, at 13 years and 164,000 miles, the red light of death came on again when I was driving to work. I was scared to turn the car off since the prior times it either didn't turn back on or turned on with major problems. So I called into work and drove to the dealership instead. Turns out the hybrid inverter / converter failed. Per the internet and the dealer, this is extremely rare. Dealership estimates $5800. Part itself costs over $4500. Must be an easy part to fix because tax on the part was about the same as the cost of labor. New part online is $3100, salvage is $200. So, paying again to tow a dead and non-rolling Prius back to my house to self-install a salvage part (can't get it to turn on at the dealership; they were surprised I made to them). Then, I'm selling the car cheap and will never buy another hybrid. I don't trust hybrid electronics after the warranty expires and with the premium on a hybrid price you don't make up that premium cost in fuel savings over the short 8-10 year warranty period. I half suspect they engineer the car to fail within a few years after the warranty expires because it tricks everyone into doing at least one fairly pricey repair because "it ran so well for so long" and "was so good on gas." There is no warning when the car is getting "old". It doesn't rattle or slow down or give a signal that something is failing fast. It either runs great or it gives the read death light, dies within miles and never runs again without $1500+ in repairs. I'd prefer a horse to a Prius.
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My Baby
Drea , 09/19/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought his car at 5 years old with only 29,000 miles on it. I have been very happy with it in the 7 months I have owned it. True, it can be a little noisy but that has never bothered any of my conversations. I love driving a hybrid and how smooth and quiet it is on the battery. The gas is good, we get about 45 MPG. It is very roomy, my 6'6" brother can sit comfortably in the back seat while the people in the front have leg room too! The digital speedometer right in the drivers line of sight helps me keep my speed under control and I feel so safe in a car with side curtain airbags. Seats are fine, read some negative reviews about them but I have napped just fine on them. LOVE TOYOTA!
Not bad but not all they say
Kate, 03/02/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Mine is simple/no extras. Bad news 1st Seats noticeably, miserably uncomfortable, says everyone. Interior flimsy plastic. Cup holder snapped off so easily thought maybe it was a bizarre break-out safety feature. A+ for interior space. Hatchback holds two medium dogs; seats fold, flip, split to meet every packing challenge: tree nursery, Home Depot, Ikea, kids with bikes and whatnot. Pickup/speed are very good. Handles in snow with regular tires much better than popular Swedish cars I've owned with snow tires. Never had mechanical or any problems. Mileage okay but never, ever anything like high 50's as stated. High forties in summer with just a driver, no cargo. Otherwise averages mid 30's.
Ouch, what a feeling!
Former Prius Lover, 06/22/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
27 of 33 people found this review helpful
Bought pre-owned in 07 with 70K. Now have 205K. Accident, replaced HID headlight went out 2 weeks after warranty expired. Quoted $565 to replace! Now the brake ECU have gone and they want $2675 to replace or I can take my chances crashing into a tree! Toyota Customer Care is worse than useless; I feel like taking a shower after talking to them to get rid of the slime! Any fuel savings have been wiped out by the outrageous cost of repair and service. Their dealerships aren't built like palaces from proceeds from recycling soda cans! Never again, Toyota! The new Fiesta is supposed to get 40 mpg highway without using golden flux capacitors!
I got what I expected - a GOOD thing
Mark, 02/17/2009
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I've owned the vehicle for a month. I have been averaging 47 MPG in winter driving. It has started in the morning with no problem even at 20 below F. I switched to winter tires, all seasons are iffy but the car does very well with winter tires. I'm 6'4 and its a little snug, I keep hitting the CVT stick with my knee when I get in the car! The seats are not so comfortable but its fine for the kind of driving I do. Handling is secure and not very exciting. The wind throws the car around on the highway. Don't expect the thrill of a life when you drive it.. its a boring ride but gets you where you want to go without worries and pretty inexpensively.
BEST CAR I EVER OWNED
Russ, 01/14/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
What can I say? This is absolutely the best car I have ever owned. After 78000+ miles we will be trading for a new 2010 next week. The trade in value makes it possible to get a new model for almost half price. We have enjoyed many trips in our Prius and had fun playing with beating our mileage. Our best was 610 miles on one tank full. (about 11 gal as we still had some left). I never new how much cargo a hatch back could hold until we loaded up our Prius, because of the ability to lay the seats flat, I can haul almost as much as my other car an SUV.
Worse car I've ever owned
Rangita, 02/20/2007
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
I just sold mine at carmax. My Prius started to fall apart after two years and 55000 miles on it. The engine is great but the body part is the worst one you can have. Mine was loaded with full options because I was thinking it's going to be our family car but I started to have problems after 18 months of use. I'm glad to get rid of it.
After 3 yrs - we bought a second Prius
sergelbergeron, 05/03/2008
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have had our 2005 Prius for over 3 years now and it performs just like new. We bought another one - a 2008 package 5 in October and they both ride the same even though the 2005 has 50,000 miles. I live in Canada and in the winter it is also a charm. Absolutely no problem with battery. Starts at -40 degrees, etc. It is an excellent vehicle.
Very reliable hybrid to 248K miles
jadziasman, 03/15/2014
updated 07/03/2018
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
56 of 79 people found this review helpful
Final update: Decided to sell the Prius instead of investing in a new or rebuilt HV pack. Bought a used 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage from Hertz Car Sales instead. Made this decision because I did not drive the Prius regularly anymore and I was fairly sure that I would have had to replace the HV battery fairly soon. Overall, I was satisfied with the Prius but was disappointed that replacement HV batteries were not more reasonably priced which I had hoped they would have been. I probably will not buy another hybrid for this reason. Update: The old girl is showing her age. Noticed rust at the bottom of the front doors which can only mean it will be getting worse soon. Using about a quart every 2000 miles now. That's not good. MPG has dropped to the low 40s in mild weather which indicates the HV battery is getting tired and may fail soon - don't know if I want to replace it or not when it does. Second owner. Extremely reliable. Driven for 82K miles, Has 217K miles now. Package 6 nearly all available options installed. Except for three necessary repairs (HID headlight leveling sensor, HV inverter electric water pump, and gasoline engine water pump) no mechanical problems. Uses a quart of oil every 3000 miles or less depending on average speed driven. Traction battery still works. Every light, switch, sensor, etc still function. Original brakes and suspension. Fuel tank capacity varies considerably with ambient temp. Only holds about 8 gallons when temp is less than 20 deg F and holds about 11 gallons when temp is over 80 deg F. Road noise an issue on concrete hwys.
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Prius at 600 miles per week
bradhtms, 09/18/2004
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Quite, rides like a cadillac, 51 MPH at 70 MPH. All systems perfect. This is the high end car.
Very good to a point
72randy, 11/30/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
34 of 50 people found this review helpful
This car had been perfect until a few weeks ago. With about 80,000 miles on it a warning light went on and we were told by a dealer it was due to the failure of part of the computer system to the tune of $2230. We've had six other Toyotas and have never had a major problem. With such low mileage, how can we continue to recommend this car to others? We're very angry being oldsters trying to navigate this economy with SSA and part time work. Disgusted.
Most fun ever
rhoward, 07/11/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is just plain fun to drive. I can't ever remember having as much fun with a car. AND it so much fun passing all of the gas stations. Best mileage in a tank so far has been 54 mpg,
Not for TALL PEOPLE
swampfox, 07/23/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Prius is an excellent car, however, before you buy it you should test-sit in it. The slanted roof makes it almost impossible for anyone over 5'10" to comfortable see out of the windshield. Depending on your body build, you must test-sit in this vehicle to make sure you can confortably and safely drive this car. If you can, GREAT!!! Because it is a GREAT CAR, but ONLY if you fit in it.
Question on Electronics
Becky, 04/13/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Yesterday, I hit the wrong button, pushed Power instead of Park. This morning, it took three tries to get started, and any time I park on a slant, it really doesn't want to start. It's my fault, but the dealer can't find anything wrong with the electronics. Other than that, it's been wonderful to drive and I do a lot of that!
Best Investment
Michael Tutor, 06/25/2021
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Exhaust. Needs welded and needs a 12 v Battery , that's all really clean car Would give it to my kids or your kiddos No Hesitations
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Quarter million and still going...
Mrs Kitty, 05/20/2019
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought my Prius new in 2005 and in general with over 225,000+ miles I can not complain for the money I have had to put in to keep her running. Front brakes 2x, backs 1-12v battery 2x-hybrid batteries 1 OUCH-tires 4x-and regular maintenance oil changes, coolant change etc. Will be getting a new Prius in about 2-3 years, totally love my Prius!
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Best in show
Alice McCarthy, 09/23/2018
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Excellent car, excellent performance, excellent value. A best buy!
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1st Day - GREAT!
So-Cal Driver, 06/16/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My wife and I have only had our Prius for exactly 1 day! We did a TON of research and car shopping before we bought this car and I was skeptical at first, but it has definitely lived up to the hype. 46.7 mph on the first drive to work, clean, I love the silence when you stop at a light and during parking and backing up, acceleration is not a problem AT ALL! Coming from 93 Honda Accord this thing is a beauty. Enjoy your vehicle!
Great car - some replacements
Stephanie Taylor, 09/16/2017
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Great car, great gas mileage, great handling. Had to replace rear battery for nearly $400.00. Had to change rear light bulb and license plate bulbs -but inexpensive. The first rear battery was replaced at $40,000 by AAA for around $100.00 and lasted a year. The second rear battery was replaced by Toyota at 50,000 and is guaranteed. Also had to replace the key fob - normally cost $150.00 and Toyota gave it to me for $100.00. Original tires lasted until 55,000 miles and then two front tires needed replacing. Internal air filter replaced - $50.00. Don't let them change transmission fluid unless dirty because it is not necessary and costs around $100.00. Have regular oil changes by Toyota only every 3000 miles. The only instrumentation that is very annoying and serves no purpose is the incessant beeping that the car makes when in reverse. This is only heard when you are inside not outside.
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DEPENDABLE GREAT CAR, GREAT VALUE
Ruth Cope, 06/04/2016
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This car has been serviced regularly, kept up and all standard repairs for good maintenance completed. Wanting to trade it in because of age, not performance and want some of the technological advantages of newer car, such as bluetooth, built-in gps, safety features.
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Fun Drive-To The Poorhouse
Joe, 10/10/2010
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
14 of 30 people found this review helpful
Great car! Runs as well today as it did 1st day I bought it! The issue is maintenance costs, which are considerable IF you don't do your own maintenance! We've had no recalls, no repair under warranty, BUT the maintenance costs to-date approach $5000! That breaks down to about ($995/mo to be exact!) $3900 more than my 12 yr old pickup that I drive everyday! Ask to see the maintenance schedule & visit the repair shop and checkout the listed maintenance schedule prices! A REAL EYE OPENER! Oh, if I only knew then what I know now! OUCH!
Love it, but...
john wish, 06/25/2008
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Love the car but I have three minor concerns: 1. GPS/information video screen is very difficult to see in bright sun. A small design change of tilting the screen some 15-20 degrees would help. 2. road noise on certain kinds of roads. Needs more insulation? 3. I'd like something like the On-Star system for automatic crash notification.
POOR RELIABILITY, MPG NOT AS ADVERTISED
Mikey316, 06/29/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
In the first 2 months I have been left stranded twice "Oh what a feeling!" Mileage has been 40-43, not bad, but much less than promised. Acceleration is week, but you have to give up something for 60 mpg, oh I mean 43 mpg. The Prius understeers alot when pushed in the corners, but I guess it was never ment to have sportscar handling.
Buy one, you will like it.
Phil, 11/02/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I still have my Chevy. Subn for pulling my toys and serious hauling but the Prius fits my bill perfectly for running around the country on business and vacation. No disappointments at all but rather I marvel at its engineering, performance, comfort and available amenities. My primary motivation for the Prius purchase was to cut my use of fuel and save money in the process. Don't tell Toyota, but this car is worth far more than it's current sticker price!
Must Buy!
tom, 08/25/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Driving this vehicle is so much fun. It is my wife's car, but I try to drive whenever I get a chance. I love the real-time fuel consumption gauge. The GPS is perfect for the city. The steering is great. The car accelerates suprisingly fast. There is plenty of room for my large road bike in the back. As a 6' 2" male, I fit comfortably in the front & rear seats. Most of all I like that the car has actually appreciated in value. That is unheard of!
Prius makes it fun to drive again!
COPhil, 11/15/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Prius is just over a year old and it is the first car that I've owned in the last 20 years that has actually been fun to drive. I've always had big cars, (Detroit Iron) for the comfort but we have just completed a four thousand mile motor trip and the Prius was more comfortable than my Chysler LHS or Buick Park Avenue and at 56 mpg. The car looks small from the outside but has plenty of head and leg room and the seats sit high so that you can see what's going on around the vehicle. I really enjoy this car unlike my last several vehicles that were just transportation.
Awesome Prius
Maria Kenez, 08/03/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my second Prius, first was a 2002, also awesome. I was told that highway mi/gal will be lower, but I find that not to be true. I can get as good as 50 mi/gal on long interstate trips. In the city I get somewhat less. There are also some driving habits you can pick up to increase performance. You get ques from the "energy" display. Very clever engineering.
Well Done Toyota
johnklein13, 05/31/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The product development folks at Toyota have really done their homework on this vehicle. All problem areas of the previous iteration of the Prius have been addressed and, overall, put out a magnificent little vehicle. Handling, power, convenience features, comfort,fit and finish, economy, storage facilities are all excellent.
Prius Rocks
drosich, 11/26/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Prius is simply the best vehicle I have owned, and I have owned a number after driving for over 30 years. Reliable, comfortable and fun to drive - not to mention the best of all - super fuel economy. Although I don't get the 50-60 mpg that EPA says, I do get 45 to 48 on average, and that's still awesome. Only concern is that I am now on my 3rd set of tires, soon to purchase my 4th. But a really great car all around!
What a great Car!
Taxi Mom, 04/05/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We just love our Prius. We can get 51 mpg on a whole tank just by paying attention of when to lay off the gas pedal. Other times ONLY 46 mpg. Still better than that gas-hog of an SUV we used to drive. Plus we're making a stand (as we all should start doing) to stop the insanity of our dependence on oil.
Great Vehicle!
Robert A. Mayes, 01/29/2006
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
It's a fine vehicle. I've shown it to many people and most are highly impressed by its features. I always show off the mileage of the vehicle, which always ranges from a low of 45 MPG to 57 MPG. There are a few glitches, including the glare on the monitor when the sun shines making it difficult to see. I suggest that they figure out a way to protect it from the sunshine. Another thing is the disabling of some features of the monitor, including phone numbers that appear when others call as well as map features. I understand why it is done, but when a passenger is in the vehicle, they should be able to use it when driven. The other is weak headlights. I feel I'm blinded in night driving.
A Great Car to get use to Hybrids
JG, 09/08/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Overall, I must say this is an amazing car. I drove it almost across country, from Indiana to California, and I could not believe the milage I was getting on that small 11 gallon tank. I was driving with a Lexus RX 470 (the SUV) and we were filling up about the same time and it has 2x the tank size. The only draw back wa sin the mountains you battery is drained really fast and the engine can't handle the steep climbs by itself, but the Brake (B) feature on the gear shift was awesome. Instead of using my brakes alot, I just kicked that on and crused down the other side of the mountain. I also, discovered that if you want to see good mileage, rethink your driving habits, no fast starts.
2005 Toyota Prius
LuvMyPrius, 09/07/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We knew going in that we would not get the MSRP mileage but we do get 45-55 mpg on our normal weekly driving. Just having a display showing constant and historical mpg has improved our driving methods - thus saving us even more gas. The lay-out of the controls on the steering wheel is awesome. The night mirror and 6-cd changer are wonderful editions that we love. We cannot say enough good things about this vehicle other than we wish we had two more!
Feedback after 20,000 miles
Geo-Green, 09/08/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am motivated to review the Prius again (after having the car for over a year and a half) because so many people are now interested in the car -- thanks to higher fuel prices. Regarding the mileage: It is always exceptional but will fall short of the EPA parameters especially in the heat of the summer when the AC is on. I drive a mix of congested local and highway. When very hot outside, the "worst" mileage is 44 mpg. The very best mileage? I am now averaging 54 miles per gallon in temperate weather. There are ways to improve your fuel economy and as one gets acclimated to the hybrid engine, mileage should improve even more. It's both patriotic to country and greener for our planet.
So much fun
panda4, 07/05/2005
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This solidly built car is so much fun to drive. An incredibly tight turning radius with a smooth quiet ride (this coming from someone who has never had anything other than 4 cyl cars.) Plenty of room inside for 4 adults on a long trip. I've been getting 47mpg in town and 50+ on the highway. Another nice plus is there is no drag on the engine when running the A/C, I guess it's pulled directly off the battery.
Prius - It could be better.
mrbehmon, 11/06/2004
2005 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Engine noisy during acceleration. A rattle developed in the dash and the service department cannot seem to fix it. The Prius has a small fuel tank (only 11 gallons) - which means that the driving range is not far - though gas mileage is good. The Honda Civic Hybrid has a standard tank (13 gallons) and much longer range. If I had it to do again I would go for the Civic or no hybrid at all.
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