Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
60 City / 51 HWY
Horsepower
76
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Violet Z
Gas is cheap. Gas prices are about 2. 89 right now, costs $15 to fill up my tank.
Gas is super cheap, lasts a long time, battery is relatively cheap to fix if it dies, charges up fast, downside: if the battery dies it will not accelerate until you fix it.
accountCircle Mary Y
Fuel efficient fun car to drive, plenty of interior room
I love that it uses very little gas, being a hybrid it generates energy so less gas is used in the city. However long distance travel you will use more gas. I also like that it tells you how much energy you generate
accountCircle Diane R
That it has better gas mileage than other cars on the market
I love my Prius it gets good gas mileage , but never as much as promised . Has great storage space. The one thing I dislike is how it handles in windy conditions , seems to be all over the place
accountCircle Jenna H
It's more efficient than most people think especially for such an old hybrid.
My car is light blue, it recently had all of it's batteries replaced so now it runs like new again, which I love. I love everything about it except how it struggles to get up hill and how there is only a radio and cd player and no aux cord or tape player.
accountCircle Jessi S
Rear view camera makes everything safer and easier!
The Rear view camera is the BEST feature, being able to see when you back up is a life saver. The fuel economy is amazing too. My only gripe is it's hard to change the headlights and the keys are a bit frustrating for when the batteries die in the dongle.
accountCircle Emily V
It is the best car I have owned that is affordable and good on gas.
My car is pretty old but I love how good it is on gas. It has really saved me, it also is super reliable never had any major problems other than replacing the battery which is super easy. It drives very smooth.
accountCircle Kat S
I love my 2005 Toyota Prius even after all these years.
As long as you take it for the scheduled services, it is extremely reliable. The mileage on the highway is pretty good and ok in the city. With gas prices the way they are, you end up saving a lot. Deceptively large trunk too and the back seats fold down easily.
accountCircle Cas C
I love the Prius since it is hybrid. Not only is it less costly for gas, but I like the fact I do not have to go to the gas station but only once per week. The maintenance on it is is very low too.
Low gas cost, low maintenance cost, roomy interior

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Mel G
The gas tank is fairly small, so you'll have to stop for gas quite a bit
I got the car used, and it had a lot of problems that were quite pricey to fix. The battery cost 3k, which was a lot, and I had to fix a number of other things this past year. Otherwise it's okay.
accountCircle Nick H
The fuel economy for a long commute is amazing. I really save a lot on gas.
I love the fuel economy. I like that it is easy to maneuver and park. I dislike the small back seat, and I really wish it were a convertible.
accountCircle Joanna S
The gas mileage is amazing.
My Prius has been owned by two other people (both family) before me, which is fine. I really like that, despite it is age, it still gets amazing gas mileage. Although, whenever I need repairs done, there are times when I have to pay extra because the shop has to order special parts just because it is a Prius.
accountCircle Lizzie W
2005 Prius missing features found in newer models.
The 2005 Toyota Prius does not have a back up camera and I would of preferred one. I got the fabric seats in a tan color and then stain very easily. Do not ever let the car run out of gas because you will quickly run out of power for the car. The manual key to get in the car is very hard to use. In fact if your car runs out of gas and power and you have to use the manual key to get in the car, it is nearly impossible. Great gas mileage and the car very durable. If I were to trade in and get a new car I would get a newer version of a Prius. The 2005 is just lacking some important features.
accountCircle Angela K
The best thing about the car is how well it does on gas mileage.
The problems consist of the dash occasionally does not work, bottom of car is so low it scrapes a lot of surfaces. The most annoying thing is that the breaks are very sensitive and the sound when reversing is very distracting. The seats are comfortable but I would prefer leather. The headlights go out occasionally.
accountCircle Kristen R
It's fuel efficient and gets great gas mileage in the city
Old and needs some work. But used infrequently and gets us to where we need to go.
accountCircle Pamela V
A Prius lasts and runs forever!
Car is comfortable for a family with rear facing car seat. Maintains its condition well; does not seem as if it is over a decade old. Having trouble with the auto adjusting lights; a sensor is a bit finicky and malfunctions. Due to age does not have any form of auxiliary cable ports, Bluetooth, etc.

Toyota Prius Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
5dr HB
76 HP 56-56 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2005 Toyota Prius Owner Reviews

4.66
160 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 71%
4 stars 25%
3 stars 4%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Dana M on March 27, 2021
Great car, perfect for the city.
It's perfect for a city or suburban area, it has great gas mileage and has a surprising amount of space for a small car. It has enough space for a family or just a one person vehicle. When you are in traffic the car switches to electric so you don't waste gas.
accountCircle Christopher B on March 12, 2021
That it was the first cutting age in hybrid technology.
It gets great gas mpg with the hybrid engine.. The car is super roomy and I love the hatch.. Not all Toyota dealers service is the same though..

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Danielle K.

I truly love my Prius. Even with it having over 200,000 miles on it, it is still going strong! It has required very little maintenance and when it does it is not been overly expensive. The best feature is the hybrid engine: I have gotten great gas mileage on it. I would definitely buy a Prius for my next car.

likeFilled Lauren W.

It is compact and easy to drive. It is also environmentally friendly as a hybrid vehicle. I love this car and will drive it next year in college. This car is my favorite and I am so happy I came across it.

likeFilled Josh C.

It is eco friendly, and saves me money on gas. I also like that it has a start button instead of a conventional key. It does have room in trunk for things. I like that even though it is kind of old, it still seems like a newer car.

likeFilled Joseph B.

I get very good gas mileage and can park in smaller spaces. I also am able to park in compact car spots. It have very good handling that makes it comfortable to drive there is plenty of room to have friends and family in the car with me.

likeFilled Hanna P.

This car is very quiet so while you are on a ride you can sleep. It has fuel economy so you can save money. And it is not expensive just for $3000 you can get a really nice car with some cool features and speed.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Danielle K.

If the battery (not the hybrid one) goes out, the only way to open the trunk is from the inside. It can be a pain to lay down the seats and climb into the hatchback area to release the trunk and change the battery. Also, the tail light LEDs can go out and the whole housing has to be replaced. It is an inconvenient design.

dislikeFilled Lauren W.

One of the cons I can think about to my vehicle is that it is miles per gallon is a little iffy some days. This is bad because it is not efficient and it makes it more expensive. But, I love my car and the pros outweigh the cons.

dislikeFilled Josh C.

It could be faster or a little bit sportier. Nor cup holders would always be nice. The. Windshield wipers do not cover the whole area. Also there could be more room and cup holders for backseat passengers.

dislikeFilled Joseph B.

One disappointing aspect of the vehicle is the lack of distance it can drive on all electric power. The stereo and sound system is also quite disappointing and ended up being upgraded with an aftermarket stereo and speakers. Acceleration could also be better and less noisy.

dislikeFilled Hanna P.

If you live by mountains, you can get stuck in the middle of a road because it is power is not enough to get you out there. The paint quality is not really good because it can come off. The skin inside of a car comes off after 2-3 years of using it.

Ranks #1 Hybrid & Electric by Owners

The 2005 Toyota Prius has an average owner rating of 4.66 out of 5 which ranks it #1 of 3 other Hybrid & Electrics.

1
car
4.66
2
car
4.6
3
car
4.2

Ranks #2 Hybrid & Electric by Fuel Economy

The 2005 Toyota Prius has a combined MPG of 60 which ranks it #2 of 6 other Hybrid & Electrics.

1
car
66 MPG
2
car
60 MPG
3
car
51 MPG

Is The 2005 Toyota Prius A Good Car?

Yes very good vehicle, you have 35 miles to a gallon . If your traveling a lot, . Maybe a college student, . Or anyone that loves economy vehicle this is the car for you.
Deborah O.
Yes I like my car except there are major issues with it now. There is an electrical short that is causing serious problems.
Lois F.
Yes, Toyota makes a very dependable and long lasting vehicle that American vehicles can't compete with
Martha C.
Yes and no. It's a good car until the hybrid. Battery dies. Now it overheats in the summer flips into neutral and I can't drive it more than two to three hours at a time
Samuel W.

How Reliable Is The 2005 Toyota Prius?

Very reliable, . I know friends that have a Toyota prius. There mileage is 200,000. And there car is still running like a champ,
Deborah O.
It was reliable but now there is an electrical short causing serious problems. It is draining the battery during the nite.
Lois F.
It has a few problems but nothing that will cause it to leave me stranded, other than it has a tire that has a slow leak in it
Sarah H.
It does when they hybrid battery starts to die. Now I can't drive it anywhere out of the city limits
Mary V.

Is The 2005 Toyota Prius A Good Value?

Depends, on the mileage, . Lower the miles, the price will go up a little, 10,000 and up. But well worth it.
Deborah O.
No. It is old now and not a good value anymore since it has serious issues. It is old and not worth much now.
Lois F.
I bought this one from a friend of mine because I was without a vehicle for the sum of 1200 dollars.
Miguel T.

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Frequently Asked Questions

2005 Toyota Prius: What is the oil type and capacity?

Answer: EacH2005 Toyota Prius comes with the same 1.5L 4Cylinder engine with engine code 1NZ-FXE. This engine requires the use of 3.9 quarts of SAE 5W-30 full synthetic motor oil. In particularly cold temperatures, SAE...

What kind of oil does the 2005 Toyota Prius use?

Answer: The 2005 Toyota Prius uses SAE 5W-30 engine oil and Toyota recommends that You use synthetic oil any time that You change it. Synthetic oil will give You better protection and lubrication for the components in...

Does the 2005 Toyota Prius have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: The 2005 Toyota Prius uses a timing chain instead of a timing belt. In fact all Prius versions and years use the chain instead of the belt. The chain should last for the life of the vehicle unlike the belt...

Does the 2005 Toyota Prius have Bluetooth?

Answer: The 2005 Toyota Prius did not have bluetooth available on the base model but it was available on the higher level trim packages. This connectivity only allowed You to make and receive phone calls, it did not...

Does the 2005 Toyota Prius have aux?

Answer: The 2005 Toyota Prius does not come equipped with an Aux port because it is an older model and they did not incorporate it until the later model years. You can however purchase an after-market AUX plug and play...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety