As one of the first successful hybrid vehicles ever made, the Toyota Prius is the go-to choice of car for many people to this day.
However, how many miles can you expect a Toyota Prius to actually last? We are here to answer this question and a lot more in this guide to help you know if it’s worth buying one.
How many miles can a Toyota Prius last?
A Toyota Prius can last an average of 200,000 to 250,000 miles. Some owners even report that they are able to reach the 300,000-mile mark with their Prius.
The Toyota Prius is quite known for its reliability, which is why it’s unsurprising that it’s able to last 200,000 to 250,000 miles on average.
This means that if you were to drive a new Toyota Prius an average of 15,000 miles per year, then it would last you a good 12 to 16 years.
Of course, this is assuming that you are able to follow the proper maintenance required for all the common parts of your Toyota Prius that are subject to wear and tear.
How long do Toyota Prius brakes last?
The brakes on the Toyota Prius typically last from 30,000 to 70,000 miles (48,000 to 112,000 km) on average.
The exact distance can vary depending on your driving style and how frequently you drive.
If you’re anywhere within the range mentioned above, then it’s a good idea to get your Toyota Prius brake pads inspected.
As for the kind of brake pads that you should use, genuine ceramic brake pads from Toyota dealers are the best and most recommended choice for the Prius.
Not only will you be getting original brake pads that are built to the highest standards, but you will actually have trusted Toyota technicians handle the brake maintenance.
How long do Toyota Prius tires last?
Under normal use, Toyota Prius tires will last for a good 60,000 miles (96,000 km). However, this distance may change depending on your driving style and how often you drive.
You also need to make sure that your Toyota Prius tires are rotated regularly using the proper pattern.
Since most Toyota Prius models come with FWD (front-wheel drive) as standard, with a select few having AWD (all-wheel drive), there are two different ways to rotate their tires.
The “forward cross” pattern is the primary tire rotation pattern used for FWD vehicles, while the “X-pattern” is an alternative way to rotate their tires.
In comparison, vehicles with AWD/4WD drivetrains have their tires primarily rotated with the “rearward cross” pattern. The “X-pattern” can also be considered an alternative.
This kind of tire rotation is applicable to AWD Toyota Prius models that have been out ever since the 2019 model year.
How long do Toyota Prius spark plugs last?
The average lifespan of a set of spark plugs for the Toyota Prius varies depending on the type of spark plugs used.
According to NGK, which is a popular spark plug brand for the Prius, iridium spark plugs are able to last 80,000 to 100,000 miles on average.
Conventional spark plugs, which are mostly made of copper and nickel alloy, are only able to last 30,000 to 40,000 miles on the Toyota Prius.
As far as the Toyota Prius is concerned, the difference between using an iridium spark plug versus a conventional spark plug is quite big, as the former is able to perform more efficiently.
Since the Toyota Prius already comes with iridium spark plugs from the factory, we recommend replacing them with iridium ones as well when they reach the end of their lifespan.
How long does the Toyota Prius battery last?
The battery on the Toyota Prius lasts an average of 150,000 miles or 10 years, which is the same mileage and period indicated on the battery’s warranty in most places.
The battery’s lifespan may still be subject to change depending on your driving habits and how often you get your Prius serviced.
It’s also important to note that since the Toyota Prius has two different batteries, this mileage only applies to the main battery that powers up the hybrid system.
Depending on the model year, the Toyota Prius uses either a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery or a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery for its hybrid system.
The second battery of the Toyota Prius is just the usual 12-volt car battery that’s primarily used to start the car and operate various electronics.
Compared to a hybrid battery, a regular 12-volt car battery will last for 3 to 5 years on average before you need to replace it.
How long does the Toyota Prius transmission last?
On average, the transmission on the Toyota Prius will be able to last between 100,000 to 200,000 miles.
It’s recommended to do a transmission flush and change the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) of the Toyota Prius every 60,000 miles.
As for the type of transmission fluid that you should be using for the Prius, Toyota specifically indicated to only use “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”.
With that said, if you want to put the best transmission fluid in your Toyota Prius, then directly contacting your local Toyota dealer is the best way to do so.
How long does the Toyota Prius last compared to its competitors?
The Toyota Prius lasts an average of 200,000 to 250,000 miles, beating competitors like the Chevy Volt, Ford C-Max, and Nissan Leaf in the process.
Repairpal.com also gives the Toyota Prius C a very high-reliability rating of 4.5/5, which puts it in 2nd place among 21 similar vehicles.
Toyota Prius vs Chevrolet Volt Lifespan
The Chevrolet Volt has an average lifespan of 200,000 miles, which is 0 to 50,000 miles less than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
According to Repairpal.com, the Chevrolet Volt receives a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, which is half a point lower than the 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating of the Toyota Prius.
The Chevrolet Volt, which has an average annual maintenance cost of $550, is $142 more expensive to maintain than the Toyota Prius, with a maintenance cost of only $408 per year.
Toyota Prius vs Ford C-Max Lifespan
The Ford C-Max has an average lifespan of 200,000 miles, which is 0 to 50,000 miles less than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
The Ford C-Max gets a good reliability rating of 4 out of 5 for 2022, yet it is still not quite enough to beat the 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating of the Toyota Prius.
The Ford C-Max has an average annual maintenance cost of $557, which is $149 more than the maintenance cost of the Toyota Prius, which averages $408 per year.
Toyota Prius vs Nissan Leaf Lifespan
The Nissan Leaf has an average lifespan of 150,000 miles, which is 50,000 to 100,000 miles less than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
In terms of reliability rating, the Nissan Leaf scores a 4 out of 5, which is slightly lower than the Toyota Prius’s reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, according to Repairpal.com.
The average annual maintenance cost for the Nissan Leaf is $748, which is $340 more than the Toyota Prius’s average annual maintenance cost of $408.
How long does the Toyota Prius last compared to other Toyotas?
A lot of Toyota models often reach a lifespan of 200,000 to 300,000 miles on average, and the Toyota Prius is able to sit well within this range with its own average lifespan of 200,000 to 250,000 miles.
Toyota Prius vs Toyota Camry Lifespan
The Toyota Camry has an average lifespan of 200,000 to 300,000 miles, which is 50,000 miles less to 100,000 miles more than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
A well-kept Toyota Prius is comparable to a well-kept Toyota Camry in terms of its average lifespan. Though, the Camry is able to reach 300,000 miles more than the Prius on average.
Although it’s slightly lower than the Toyota Prius’s 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating, the Toyota Camry still gets a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, which places it in 3rd place out of 24 other cars in its class.
When it comes to annual maintenance costs, you can expect to spend an average of $381 for the Toyota Camry, which is actually $27 cheaper than the amount of $408 for the Toyota Prius.
Toyota Prius vs Toyota Corolla Lifespan
The Toyota Corolla has an average lifespan of 300,000 miles, which is 50,000 to 100,000 miles more than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
When it comes to longevity, the Toyota Corolla is able to last a little bit longer than the Toyota Prius, though the exact difference will be dependent on how each individual owner maintains it.
The Toyota Corolla ties the Toyota Prius with a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, which means that they have very comparable reliability despite being in different vehicle categories.
Annual maintenance costs for the Toyota Corolla are at an average of $362, which makes it cheaper to maintain by $46 compared to the Toyota Prius at $408.
Toyota Prius vs Toyota Highlander Lifespan
The Toyota Highlander has an average lifespan of 300,000 miles, which is 50,000 to 100,000 miles more than the 200,000 to 250,000-mile average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
On average, Toyota Highlander owners are able to reach the 300,000-mile mark more often than Toyota Prius owners, making the Highlander a bit longer-lasting.
Compared to the 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating of the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Highlander scores half a point lower at 4 out of 5.
The Toyota Highlander’s annual maintenance cost is $489 on average, which is $81 more expensive than the Prius at $408.
Toyota Prius vs Toyota RAV4 Lifespan
The Toyota RAV4 has an average lifespan of 200,000 to 250,000 miles, which is exactly the same as the average lifespan of the Toyota Prius.
The difference between the lifespans of the Toyota Prius and the Toyota RAV4 can be as much as 50,000 miles depending on how well-maintained they are.
Comparing their reliability ratings, the Toyota RAV4 gets a score of 4 out of 5, which is just slightly lower than the 4.5 out of 5 rating of the Toyota Prius.
The average maintenance cost for the Toyota RAV4 is $429 per year. That’s $21 more than the average maintenance cost for the Toyota Prius, which is $408 per year.
How can I make my Toyota Prius last longer?
While the Toyota Prius is already known for its longevity, there are still other things that you can do to keep it on the road for an even longer amount of time.
How to Make a Toyota Prius Last Longer
- Follow the recommended maintenance schedule.
- Buy good quality parts.
- Perform basic checkups.
- Address issues right away.
- Don’t run on an almost-empty gas tank.
The Toyota Prius is capable of lasting 200,000 to 250,000 miles on average. However, some owners are able to reach 300,000 miles on their Prius, and following these steps can help you achieve this.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule.
As with any car, the Toyota Prius will have a recommended maintenance schedule that’s recommended by the manufacturer or dealer itself.
One good way to be aware of your Toyota Prius maintenance schedule is to check your owner’s manual, as it will contain all sorts of info regarding the maintenance interval of each component.
Whether it be changing fluids or rotating tires, following the correct schedule for every single maintenance task for your Toyota Prius will minimize potential issues and keep it on the road longer.
Buy good quality parts.
When replacing parts on the Toyota Prius, there is no better way to go about it than buying good-quality ones that are actually recommended by the manufacturer itself.
Buying genuine parts that are recommended by Toyota ensures that you have the right ones specifically designed for your Prius.
Perform basic checkups.
Aside from getting your Toyota Prius serviced by actual mechanics, you should also perform some basic checkups for it every now and then, especially if you’re going on a long drive.
Basic car checkups can include checking your fluid levels, testing all of the lights and electronics, checking the brakes, ensuring the tires are properly inflated, and checking if you have its tool kit with you.
Performing basic car checkups not only prepares you for a long drive, but it’s also generally a good habit to practice so that you’re always aware of any potential issues that your car may have.
Address issues right away.
Although the Toyota Prius is often praised for its reliability, you should still be prepared to address any sort of issues that it can have.
Once an issue suddenly pops up, such as a warning light on the dashboard, you should have it checked by a trusted mechanic immediately.
You should never wait too long before getting your vehicle diagnosed. Ignoring issues can potentially lead to even bigger ones, which can really put a dent in your wallet.
Don’t run on an almost-empty gas tank.
Just because the Toyota Prius is a hybrid, doesn’t mean that you should take its great fuel economy for granted, which also means that you should avoid running the car on an almost-empty gas tank.
While you won’t exactly destroy your fuel system right away by running on too little fuel, experts recommend that you should at least keep a quarter of fuel left in your tank as much as possible.
If you keep on driving once the fuel gauge reaches “E”, you run the risk of exposing your fuel lines to additional contaminants, leading to potential damage.
The fuel pump is not designed to operate on such low fuel, as it will not receive the right amount of lubrication that it needs to function properly.
If you run on low fuel, your fuel pump can also get clogged by debris that has accumulated at the bottom of the gas tank.
How much does the Toyota Prius maintenance cost per year?
The Toyota Prius has an average maintenance cost of $408 per year, as estimated by Repairpal.com. This amount is $118 cheaper than the $526 average for cars in the same class.
Common Problems of the Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is one of the most reliable cars out there, but it can still run into issues such as engine stalling, excessive oil consumption, headlight failure, and an incorrect fuel gauge reading.
Toyota Prius Common Problems
- Engine stalling
- Excessive oil consumption
- Headlight failure
- Incorrect fuel gauge reading
- Various electronics malfunctioning
Engine stalling and other engine-related issues have been reported to occur most commonly in the 2010 Toyota Prius.
Some units of the 2011 Toyota Prius have been known to consume too much oil because of leaking timing cover gaskets.
Headlight failures occur most often in the 2008 Toyota Prius, which can include either one or both headlights completely going out.
The 2006 Toyota Prius has been reported to have a faulty fuel gauge that either gave inaccurate readings or was unresponsive to putting fuel in the tank.
Various electronics have been reported to malfunction in the 2007 Toyota Prius. Such malfunctions were related to the dashboard display, cruise control, warning system, and backup camera.
To find even more in-depth information about the other various problems of each Toyota Prius generation, we recommend watching the video below.
Best and Worst Model Years of the Toyota Prius
Throughout its production run, the Toyota Prius had its best model year in 2019, while its worse model year was 2011.
The 2011 Prius was notorious for its oil, brake, and headlight-related issues. In contrast, the 2019 Prius received many great reviews, marking it as the best Prius model year ever.
With that said, we recommend being wary of purchasing any secondhand Toyota Prius units from the 2011 model year.
Toyota Prius Recalls
There have been several recalls for the Toyota Prius ever since 1997, with the 2010 model year having the most recalls.
It’s important to note that not every model year of the Toyota Prius had a recall, which you can also notice in the table of model years and recalls below.
