more about this model
Pros Most fuel-efficient car on the market for 2009, versatile hatchback design, roomy rear seat, compliant ride.
Cons Forgettable acceleration, steering wheel doesn't telescope, roly-poly handling.
Thanks to the no-frills econoboxes of the 1980s and '90s, it's commonly assumed that maximum fuel-efficiency entails minimal comfort and versatility. If you want a genuinely accommodating cabin and ample cargo capacity, the reasoning goes, you'll have to pay for it at the pump. Well, don't tell that to the 2009 Toyota Prius. It's a roomy midsize hatchback that can transport four full-size adults or a hefty haul from Ikea with equal ease — and it also happens to be the most fuel-efficient car you can buy for the 2009 model year.
Of course, the Prius has its limitations. Does it go around corners? Yes. Does it accelerate from zero to 60 mph? Yes. Does it do either of the above with the slightest bit of enthusiasm? If you have to ask, then don't buy one. The only fun you'll have in a Prius is when you're playing the "maximize my MPG" game with the dash-mounted energy monitor. But if you're like the hundreds of thousands of Prius buyers who have made it Toyota's third most popular model behind Camry and Corolla, that probably suits you just fine.
In most other respects, the 2009 Toyota Prius is pleasant. It's stable and quiet on the highway, it floats serenely over rough pavement and its hatchback body style makes it one of the most practical midsize cars on the road. Indeed, we'd recommend the Prius not only to fuel-economy junkies, but also to midsize-sedan shoppers who like the idea of being able to carry considerably more stuff without sacrificing refinement or passenger space. Unless you're put off by the Prius' greener-than-thou image or duller-than-everything driving experience, it's a uniquely appealing package.
Performance The 2009 Toyota Prius is motivated by a hybrid power plant consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors — one to drive the front wheels, the other to recharge the nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Depending on the situation, the engine and motors work separately or in tandem. The gas engine remains off by default, and if you accelerate gingerly from a stop, the Prius can run solely on electric power up to about 30 mph. If you need to keep up with traffic, a little more throttle will rouse the gas engine with a perceptible shudder; once you lift off the throttle, the gas engine seamlessly goes back to sleep.
The conductor of this propulsive symphony is Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, and specifically its complex variant of a continuously variable transmission. It commands up to 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque from the gas engine, while the electric motor kicks in 67 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Due to varying peak outputs, maximum combined hp is 110. During performance testing, our 2009 Prius test car cantered from zero to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds. That's about a second slower than the typical four-cylinder family sedan's performance, but it's downright quick compared with the Honda Civic Hybrid's 13.5-second stroll.
From behind the wheel, the 2009 Toyota Prius feels like a really well-insulated golf cart. Actually, a golf cart probably handles better, or at least more entertainingly. Otherwise, though, the Prius excels at whisking you from Point A to Point B. There's no steering feel to speak of, as the electric power steering system is number than practically anything on the market, but the car goes where you point it. There's no passing power to speak of, but keeping up with traffic usually isn't an issue. Impressively, high-speed cruising is a strong suit — the Prius remains quiet and composed at extralegal velocities. Braking, however, is adequate at best, as our test car recorded an indifferent 131-foot stop from 60 to zero mph.
Fuel economy is likely foremost in the mind of the typical Prius buyer, and rightfully so. Cars simply do not get more fuel-efficient than the Prius for model-year 2009. With EPA ratings of 48 mpg city/45 highway and 46 combined, the Prius trounces the runner-up in the fuel-economy race, Honda's Civic Hybrid, which registers a mere 40 mpg city/45 highway and 42 combined. We recorded a slightly disappointing 39.5 mpg in this particular Prius, but we got 43.8 mpg earlier this year in a 2008 model, so our feet must have been particularly leaden this time around. Furthermore, in our fuel-sipper smackdown comparison, an identically equipped Prius achieved 52.4 mpg in a dedicated city driving loop.
Comfort Passenger space is one of the Prius' strong points. There's plenty of headroom for everyone, and rear-seat riders enjoy as much legroom as they'd have in a typical family sedan. The seats themselves are forgettable, however, with flat cushions and (in our optioned-out tester) slippery leather upholstery. The driver seat is particularly objectionable, as it lacks both height and lumbar adjustments, two features we've come to expect at this price point. Furthermore, thanks to the conspicuous absence of a telescoping steering column, our longer-legged editors were unable to reach the steering wheel without virtually locking their elbows. Once under way, though, the Prius rides tranquilly, with a pillow-soft suspension and good sound insulation.
Function The 2009 Toyota Prius is motivated by a hybrid power plant consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors — one to drive the front wheels, the other to recharge the nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Depending on the situation, the engine and motors work separately or in tandem. The gas engine remains off by default, and if you accelerate gingerly from a stop, the Prius can run solely on electric power up to about 30 mph. If you need to keep up with traffic, a little more throttle will rouse the gas engine with a perceptible shudder; once you lift off the throttle, the gas engine seamlessly goes back to sleep.
The conductor of this propulsive symphony is Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, and specifically its complex variant of a continuously variable transmission. It commands up to 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque from the gas engine, while the electric motor kicks in 67 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Due to varying peak outputs, maximum combined hp is 110. During performance testing, our 2009 Prius test car cantered from zero to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds. That's about a second slower than the typical four-cylinder family sedan's performance, but it's downright quick compared with the Honda Civic Hybrid's 13.5-second stroll.
From behind the wheel, the 2009 Toyota Prius feels like a really well-insulated golf cart. Actually, a golf cart probably handles better, or at least more entertainingly. Otherwise, though, the Prius excels at whisking you from Point A to Point B. There's no steering feel to speak of, as the electric power steering system is number than practically anything on the market, but the car goes where you point it. There's no passing power to speak of, but keeping up with traffic usually isn't an issue. Impressively, high-speed cruising is a strong suit — the Prius remains quiet and composed at extralegal velocities. Braking, however, is adequate at best, as our test car recorded an indifferent 131-foot stop from 60 to zero mph.
Fuel economy is likely foremost in the mind of the typical Prius buyer, and rightfully so. Cars simply do not get more fuel-efficient than the Prius for model-year 2009. With EPA ratings of 48 mpg city/45 highway and 46 combined, the Prius trounces the runner-up in the fuel-economy race, Honda's Civic Hybrid, which registers a mere 40 mpg city/45 highway and 42 combined. We recorded a slightly disappointing 39.5 mpg in this particular Prius, but we got 43.8 mpg earlier this year in a 2008 model, so our feet must have been particularly leaden this time around. Furthermore, in our fuel-sipper smackdown comparison, an identically equipped Prius achieved 52.4 mpg in a dedicated city driving loop.
Design/Fit and Finish Outside, the Prius' teardrop shape is a triumph of aerodynamics over aesthetics. It's not ugly, but it's not exactly the stuff automotive dreams are made of, either. Inside, the expansive dashboard, joysticklike shift lever and radically angled windshield imbue the 2009 Toyota Prius with a futuristic feel. Materials are generally high quality, especially the distinctively grained pliable material covering the dash. Fit and finish was uniformly good on our tester.
Who should consider this vehicle Consumers drawn to the Prius' killer combination of fuel-efficiency and versatility, as well as those who just won't be satisfied with anything less than the most fuel-efficient car on the road. Note, however, that the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid may give the Prius a run for its money when it's released in spring 2009.
Others To Consider
Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Used 2009 Toyota Prius listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2009 Toyota Priuss for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 410 used and CPO 2009 Priuss listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 3,750 and mileage as low as 46,550. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2009 Toyota Prius. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 245 on a used or CPO 2009 Prius available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2009 Toyota Prius ?
Save up to $244.9 on one of 16 used 2009 Toyota Priuss for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $3750 as of Apr 26, 2018, based on data from 16 dealers and 179 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2009 Toyota Prius trim styles:
The used 2009 Toyota Prius Touring is priced around $7911 with average odometer reading of 108057 miles.
The used 2009 Toyota Prius Standard is priced around $8180 with average odometer reading of 73675 miles.
The used 2009 Toyota Prius Base is priced around $7884 with average odometer reading of 116400 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2009 Toyota Prius?
Available Toyota Prius 2009 Submodel Types: Hatchback, Sedan
Available Toyota Prius 2009 Trims: Two, Four, Three, One, Four Touring, Three Touring, III, II, IV, Base, I, Persona Series Special Edition, Five, Touring, V, Two Eco, Standard
Exterior Colors: Sea Glass Pearl, Blizzard Pearl, Winter Gray Metallic, Hypersonic Red, Midnight Black Metallic, Blue Crush Metallic, Super White, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Nautical Blue Metallic, Driftwood Pearl, Millenium Silver Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, Black Cherry Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Sandy Beach Metallic, Silver Pine Mica, Spectra Blue Mica, Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, Brilliant Blue Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Electric Green, Magnetic Gray, Seaside Pearl
Interior Colors: Moonstone cloth, Black leatherette, Black cloth, Harvest Beige cloth, Moonstone leatherette, Misty Gray cloth, Dark Gray leatherette, Harvest Beige leatherette, Bisque leatherette, Misty Gray leatherette, Dark Gray leather, Gray/Burgundy, Dark Gray cloth, Gray cloth, Charcoal leatherette, Ivory/Brown, Misty Gray leather, Beige cloth, Bisque cloth, Bisque leather, Black Softex leatherette
Popular Features: Stability Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Keyless Entry/Start, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Navigation, Blind Spot Monitoring, Parking sensors, Heated seats, Power Driver Seat, Upgraded Stereo, Post-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Heads up display, Alarm, Leather Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Automatic Emergency Braking, Upgraded Headlights, Remote Start
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2009 Toyota Prius Overview
The used 2009 Toyota Prius is offered in the following submodels: Hatchback. Available styles include 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and Standard 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Pre-owned Prius models are available with a 0-liter hybrid engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2009 Prius comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.
