2006 Toyota Prius Review: An Excellent Mid-00’s Hybrid That Makes no Sense to Buy Today

The 2006 Toyota Prius was an innovative hybrid car in its day. Its day was a long time ago. Hybrid and EV technology has come a long way in the last eighteen years, and a used model might not even be worth the two thousand dollars you’re going to be spending on a new traction battery.

Is the 2006 Toyota Prius a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – While it may be out of date, the 2006 Prius really is an excellent compact by almost all reasonable measures, if a little underpowered.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The longer wheelbase lends this hatchback an SUV-like interior.
• Reliability 6/10 – A Prius’ engine and transmission will likely outlast the traction battery two or three times over. But that traction battery has a built-in expiration date.
• Safety 8/10 – Anti-lock brakes and traction control as standard features earn the Prius an extra point, despite being out of date by now.
• Gas Mileage 9/10 – The hybrid 2006 Honda Civic is a little more efficient, but it’s a pretty marginal difference when you can go nearly 100 miles on two gallons of gas.
• Value 5/10 – Unless you’re a collector, buying a hybrid car more than a decade after its launch makes zero sense.

What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Toyota Prius?

Consumer Reports had a rare rave review for the 2006 Toyota Prius, praising the combined 44 MPG fuel economy, the spacious hatchback interior, and solid handling. The consumer watchdog group didn’t have a single notable negative comment on the iconic hybrid.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Prius an overwhelming 95% recommendation, praising the reliable powertrain and incredible mileage. The biggest complaints have to do with loud road noise, and the fact that the traction batteries can be expensive to replace.

Edmunds praised the Prius’ excellent mileage, low emissions, spacious interior, hatchback versatility, low pricing, and excellent build quality. They do note that you sacrifice a bit of power for all that efficiency, and, while the car does get incredible mileage, it doesn’t quite match EPA estimates.

What Common Problems Does the 2006 Toyota Prius Have?

The 2006 Toyota Prius has 1,426 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This number is so high thanks in large part to a whopping 938 exterior lighting complaints, with drivers reporting frequent headlight burnout. There have been no recalls for the matter.

At 148 complaints, general electrical issues take a distant second place for most reports behind headlights. Drivers report instrument panels failing to engage, and random loss of power while the car is in motion past the first 150,000 miles or so.

Engine and powertrain complaints few and far between, numbering fewer than 50 reports in total. A handful of drivers have reported the car jumping forward when the engine turns on, but, by and large, you’re going to see the traction battery burn out before any major engine issues pop up.

The 2006 Prius has been recalled just 6 times, which is a low number for a car this old, but typical of a Toyota.

How Long Will the 2006 Toyota Prius Last?

Being a Toyota, the Toyota Prius is packed with an engine and powertrain that can easily pass 250,000 miles even if the previous owner was lax on maintenance. But, being a hybrid, it’s also packed with a traction battery that will probably burn out after the first 150,000 miles.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $408, which is very low, even for a Toyota. The most expensive common fixes include new airbag control modules starting at $411, and brake pad replacements at $264. New traction batteries typically cost around $2,000.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2006 Toyota Prius was impressive for its time, featuring a 7″ LCD info screen displaying fuel consumption and energy data alongside audio options. Pretty basic for today, but cutting-edge for 2006.

Safety technology onboard the 2006 Prius is pretty good for the model year. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are both included as standard options.

Is the 2006 Toyota Prius a Good Value?

The 2006 Toyota Prius isn’t a great value right now. The car typically lists for around $6,331, which is a good price on a car that’s this easy to maintain and this fuel-efficient. But a 2006 Prius should have around 150,000 miles on the odometer, which means that the hybrid traction battery will need replacing very soon.

When shopping for a used hybrid more than a decade old, you’ve got to add about two thousand bucks to the sticker price so as to budget in a new traction battery. It’s a shame, because the Prius is an excellent car, and it’s easily worth the asking price of around $6,000, but $8,000 is a bit steep.

What are the Different Models of the 2006 Toyota Prius?

The 2006 Toyota Prius is offered in just one trim level, being the base 5-door HB, featuring:

• Power windows and door locks
• Cloth seating 4-way adjustable bucket seats
• 7″ LCD info screen CD player with 6 speakers
• Cruise control
• Anti-lock brakes
• Traction control

The Prius can be upgraded with a series of packages, with the top-of-the-line being Package 8, featuring a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, an MP3 player, and leather seating.

What Engines Come In the 2006 Toyota Prius?

• The 2006 Toyota Prius is driven by a 1.5L inline-four gas/electric engine delivering 76 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 1-speed CVT transmission in front wheel drive, and should average around 48/45 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2006 Toyota Prius Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2006 Toyota Prius?

The 2006 Toyota Prius is very comfortable. It’s technically a hatchback, but the long wheelbase borders on compact SUV territory, with 51 inches of rear hip room and plenty of head and leg space. The suspension has held up well over the years, and the seating is nice and firm.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Toyota Prius Have?

The 2006 Prius packs 16 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, which isn’t bad for a compact, and should store five or six medium suitcases. The total interior volume measures 112 cubic feet, so, while it might not have fold-flat back seats, there’s still plenty of space to carry whatever won’t fit in the trunk.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The Toyota Prius technically debuted in 1997, but went into full production for the 2001 model year. The 2006 Prius is the third model year in the car’s 2nd Generation.

2004: One of the biggest changes for the second-gen Prius was the car’s switch in body style from four-door sedan to five-door hatchback.

2005: Rear wipers became standard for 2005, and the sun visors were changed to fabric from vinyl.

2006: The 2006 Prius got a visual redesign with new chrome plated grilles and spoilers, and sleeker headlight and tail light lines.

2007: For 2007 the Prius saw the addition of full-length head curtain and front-seat side airbags as standard features.

2008: There were no major changes for 2008 beyond keeping the emissions up to code with a few under-the-hood tweaks.

2009: No big changes for 2009.

2010: The 3rd Generation relaunch of the Prius saw the body design get a total overhaul to be longer and more aerodynamic. The new 1.8L engine offered a major horsepower improvement over the second-gen, delivering 134hp at an average MPG of 48/51.

How Does the 2006 Toyota Prius Compare to the Competition?

Hybrid cars were slim pickings back in 2006, and the Toyota Prius pretty much dominated the 00’s as the biggest player in the market. But, the hybrid Honda Civic was hot on its heels, and the hybrid Lexus GS 450h innovated the concept of the luxury hybrid.

The hybrid Civic delivers 93 horsepower at 49/51 miles to the gallon, making it both more efficient and more powerful than the Prius. Of course, you’re splitting hairs in either case. Neither car can reach 100 horsepower, but the Civic tends to sell for about a thousand dollars less.

A Lexus GS hybrid tends to sell in the $7,000 range, which, when you add in the cost of a replacement battery and the expenses involved with luxury car maintenance, makes it a major money pit.

None of these cars would be a great purchase today. Hybrid and EV technology have come a long way since then, and you’re going to get tired of buying replacement batteries every 100,000 to 150,000 miles. But, if you really, really want a mid-00’s compact hybrid for some reason, the Honda Civic is the best of the bunch.

Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Toyota Prius?