Overall reader verdict 4 out of 5 stars

  • What's it like to drive
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Running costs
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality, practicality and equipment
    3 out of 5 stars

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Toyota Prius (09-) Hatchback
4 reader reviews for Toyota Prius Hatchback.

  • 1.8 VVT-i T3 5dr

    Kim Slowe , Dorset . Date: 20/08/2010
    • Overall verdict
      4 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      60

    My car

    After many years of owning large, cosseting, Volvos I finally bit the ‘sustainability’ bullet and purchased a 3rd generation Prius T Spirit. Quite brave given that my previous experience of Japanese cars was a Datsun Cherry. The rather low grade plastic dash coupled with rather bland interior colours simply added to the enormity of this leap of faith. I need not have been worried at all. The car has exceeded expectation at every level. Apart from sounding a little like a demented bee when climbing steep hills (a consequence of the CVT gearbox) the car is quiet, composed, and sure footed. The highly functional Sat Nav, Bluetooth telephone system and the HUD leave many luxury brands in the stone ages and the car seems to eat up the miles. No compromise, no road tax, and 10% company car tax. Not a tough decision for a company car driver. For the company owner the 100% year 1 right down, the very low fuel bills, a 5 year warranty, strong residuals and 3 years free servicing make the Prius a winner.

  • 1.8 VVT-i T3 5dr

    keith fuller , . Date: 17/05/2010
    • Overall verdict
      1 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      3 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      54

    My car

    I purchased new Prius in November 2009 and like many others waited 4 months for delivery! Unfortunately over the next 5 months I found the car was not for me. It has a very hard ride which is possibly down to the 17inch rims with low profile tyres. The hardness does not stop here in fact the only soft thing in the car are the seats and one of those collapsed within 3 weeks of owning it! I agree with What Car there is zero feedback from the steering, in fact ther is more on a computer console! The car is full of technology and electronic gizmos. Alot of these seem fun on a test drive but in the main are useless. The sat nav is the most complicated I have come across and the electronic parking aid is pointless. Toyota seem to have invested a great deal of money in the green technologly and forgotten all about the people riding in it. My wife only drove it twice preferring her diesel Yaris even to drive on regular 300 mile trips! I know we had a cold winter but never achieved more than 54mpg some way short of Toyotas claimed 70mpg. After a regretful 5 months of ownership the Prius has had to go. I now own a VW Passat diesal estate and achieve a regular 50mpg. I know that the Prius has a loyal following but it was for me an expensive mistake. I tried to opt for a more environmental approach in car ownership but Toyota for me has a long way to go to make the experience more enjoyable. I would not recommend this car if you in any way enjoy driving.

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