The 2020 Toyota Prius lasts around 300,000 miles, with some relatively minor brake wear and wheel noise issues reported. At $22,990 to $32,500, it’s a great value for a small car with excellent long-term reliability ratings.
Is the 2020 Toyota Prius a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2020 is an excellent year for the Toyota Prius since it’s affordable to run, and has great practicality ratings. Owner reviews praise the fuel efficiency, comfortable suspension, along with the safety technology.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are better than on other models, the seats are very comfortable, cargo space is also great with the versatile hatchback design.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2020 Prius. Models from 2012–2022 are all extremely reliable choices for a daily driver.
- Performance 5/10 – The hybrid powertrain is fairly weak, but it’s built to be very efficient rather than powerful.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Prius is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include adaptive headlights along with rear parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 10/10 – Fuel economy is excellent at 52 MPG, giving 587 miles of range from the 11.3 gallon tank. Gas costs are $118 cheaper than average at $104 per month.
- Value 9/10 – The 2020 Toyota Prius is reasonably priced for a very efficient vehicle, while also offering very low depreciation rates, making it a great overall value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Prius?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Toyota Prius offers excellent fuel economy with hatchback versatility, it also earns high owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
- Edmunds rates the Toyota Prius at 4.5/5, enjoying the very quiet cabin at highway speeds, but doesn’t like the offset instrument panel in the dash.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Prius a 4.5/5, praising the standard driver assistance systems, but owners don’t like the lack of Android Auto.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Toyota Prius Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Toyota Prius include excessive brake wear, noise from the wheels, along with some delayed gear changes. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other hybrid and compact cars on the market.
Excessive brake wear is the most widespread complaint on the 2020 Toyota Prius, showing up at around 15,000 miles. The front brakes, in particular, tend to wear down quicker than on other cars. Changing out the front brake pads costs around $150, while rotors cost around $300 if they’ve been damaged too.
Noise from the wheels has also been reported by some 2020 Prius owners at around 30,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a worn-out wheel bearing which has to be replaced. Changing out a wheel bearing costs around $350, depending on local labor rates.
Delayed gear changes are another issue mentioned by some owners within the first 1,500 miles. There are transmission control module software updates which improve the speed of the CVT. Most dealerships will install these updates for free during normal servicing, while others charge around $100.
There are no recalls on the 2020 Toyota Prius, which is better than a lot of other small cars on the market. Having no recalls means that none of the problems have been widespread or affected the safety of the car.
How Long Will the 2020 Toyota Prius Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Toyota Prius can last around 300,000 miles, which is longer than many other Hybrids like the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than other cars, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $378 per year.
As a used 2020 Prius reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the drive belt idler pulley for $150, mass airflow sensor costing $240, along with the radiator hose, which costs $450.
How Is the Technology?
The standard entertainment technology is great and includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Optional upgrades include a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, which has a premium JBL audio system.
Standard safety features are excellent for a small car, and include:
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Rear parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Head-up display
- Blind spot monitoring
- Adaptive headlights
Is the 2020 Toyota Prius a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Toyota Prius is a great value since it is extremely efficient and has better reliability ratings than many competitors. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $22,990 to $32,500, making it more than a BMW i3 or Kia Optima Hybrid. When new, the price range was $24,325 to $32,500. Depreciation is better than many other vehicles, only losing around 2% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Prius?
There are four main models of the 2020 Toyota Prius offered, from the entry-level L Eco through to the more luxurious Limited. The Prius comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available on the LE and XLE models.
L Eco is the entry-level model with:
- Ultra-low-rolling resistance tires.
- Lighter hybrid battery.
- Inflation kit instead of a spare tire.
- Combined rating of 56 mpg.
- 15-inch wheels.
- Automatic LED headlights.
- Heated mirrors.
- Keyless entry (driver door only) and ignition.
- Automatic climate control.
- Adaptive cruise control.
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.
- 60/40-split folding rear seat.
- 7-inch touchscreen display.
- Six-speaker audio system.
- Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration.
- Toyota’s Safety Connect, automatic high beams, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, and lane departure warning and intervention.
LE is a step up, adding:
- Features of L Eco plus:
- Rear window wiper.
- Cargo cover.
- Parking sensors.
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
- Automated parallel parking system.
XLE is next in the lineup with:
- 17-inch wheels.
- Automatic wipers.
- Keyless entry for front passenger door and rear hatch.
- SofTex simulated leather upholstery.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat.
- Wireless charging pad.
- Optional Advanced Technology package with a head-up display and adaptive headlights.
Limited is the flagship model, which adds:
- Advanced Technology package.
- Navigation system.
- 6-inch touchscreen.
- Premium JBL audio system.
What Engines Come In the Toyota Prius?
The 2020 Toyota Prius primarily comes with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine combined with an electric motor. This setup produces a total system output of 121 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). As for efficiency, the combined fuel economy for this setup is rated at an impressive 52 MPG. Performance-wise, the 2020 Prius takes around 10.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Toyota Prius Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota Prius?
The 2020 Toyota Prius boasts a design that is not only eco-friendly but also emphasizes comfort for its passengers. The vehicle’s interior is designed with supportive seats that can comfortably accommodate both short and long journeys. Both front and rear passengers are treated to ample headroom and legroom, making it a suitable choice for families or those who often travel with passengers. The cabin is also insulated well from road and wind noise, providing a quieter ride, especially at highway speeds.
The suspension, tuned more for comfort than sportiness, does a commendable job in absorbing road imperfections, providing a smooth and composed ride quality. Moreover, the Prius comes with an array of modern amenities and tech features, such as automatic climate control and an infotainment system with a touchscreen, enhancing overall comfort and convenience. In summary, the 2020 Prius offers a pleasant and comfortable environment that makes it a practical choice for daily commutes and longer road trips alike.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Prius Have?
The 2020 Toyota Prius offers a combination of cargo space and small storage areas that make it a practical choice for those who prioritize fuel efficiency without sacrificing utility. The Prius provides up to 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is enough room for daily shopping trips, a couple of large suitcases, or even a small bike with its wheels removed.
If you fold the rear seats flat, that space expands considerably, accommodating larger items. Furthermore, in the cabin, there are a variety of smaller storage spots, including door pockets, a center console bin, glove compartment, and cup holders. These spaces are convenient for items like smartphones, wallets, drinks, and small personal belongings. Altogether, the Prius effectively combines its reputation for eco-friendly driving with the everyday utility drivers expect in a modern hatchback.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Toyota Prius was introduced for the 2016 model year.
2015: Rearview camera system is now standard on all models.
2016: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with all new styling, more technology, and an upgraded engine.
2017: Toyota Safety Sense driver aids are now standard across all models.
2018: No serious changes from other years.
2019: All-wheel drive models added to the lineup, minor styling changes, and the models have been renamed.
2020: Improved 7-inch touchscreen is now standard on all models and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2021: Small changes to the driver safety software.
How Does the Toyota Prius Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Toyota Prius is a great small car and better than other hybrid vehicles, offering excellent practicality paired with an extremely efficient hybrid powertrain, which helps it earn our recommendation for shoppers.
The Toyota Corolla is a small car, which can be found for about $2,500 less. Where the Toyota Corolla stands out is with a more responsive driving experience, while the Toyota Prius is more fuel efficient. We recommend the Toyota Prius for most shoppers, but both are similar compact cars.
The Honda Insight is another hybrid, which is available for roughly $2,000 less. Passenger room is a bit better in the back seats of the Honda Insight, while the Toyota Prius offers more standard technology features. We recommend the Toyota Prius since it’s a more efficient choice with better long-term reliability ratings.
