The 2008 Prius lasts over 250,000 miles with only some headlight and oil issues. At $5,490 – 9,180, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a dependable hybrid.
Is the 2008 Toyota Prius a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2008 is a good year. Owner reviews like the comfortable cabin, gas mileage, and long-lasting engine.
- Reliability ratings are great. Prius models from 2005–2009 are all good, but there’s a surge in engine problems on the 2010
- Performance is boring from the 4-cylinder hybrid motor.
- The Prius is reasonably safe, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is exceptional, at up to 46 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Prius?
- Consumer Reports says the Prius has better handling than before, and very high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Prius a 4.8/5 liking the low emissions, but disliking the weak engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Prius 4.7/5 and enjoy the electric motor, but say battery packs are expensive.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Toyota Prius Have?
Problems with the 2008 Prius are not very serious and include worn-out headlights, excessive oil consumption, and a frozen infotainment system.
Burnt-out headlights are the most common complaint from owners at about 90,000 miles. Replacing the high intensity discharge headlights is costly, at about $600 for the set and they burn out sooner than competitors.
Excessive oil consumption is another frequent problem showing up at around 140,000 miles. Most owners simply check the oil regularly and top it off as needed, while others replace gaskets costing about $1,000.
Infotainment system failures show up on some vehicles at roughly 80,000 miles. Replacing the head unit solves the problem, costing around $700.
There are 4 recalls, with the most serious being for the water pump which can cause the engine to stall while driving.
How Long Will the 2008 Toyota Prius Last?
A properly maintained 2008 Prius will last over 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than a Toyota Corolla. Annual maintenance costs are affordable at $368 per year, according to Repair Pal. Battery packs may need to be replaced at 150,000 miles, and cost around $1,200.
Most 2008 Prius models for sale will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the timing chain tensioner for $450, the air bag control module costing $400, and the fuel pump which costs $700.
Yes it is very reliable. I have not run into a single problem. The only thing I worry about is eventually having to replace the hybrid battery.
No. I have no problems. Everything works well. I have kept up with oil changes, tire changes, and regular maintenance.
It is very reliable. I take a lot of long trips to travel (over 300 miles) as well as using it as my daily car and I have only experiences minor maintenance issues but never anything that stopped me from driving.
Yes it has been. It is been in my family since it was new & has only had basic maintenance. I know I can count on it for my daily driving around town.
Yes it is reliable. It does have a problem with glare if the odometer light on the front windshield interfering with night vision for the driver. As well the brightness of the radio/map console is too much while night driving.
My Toyota 2008 Prius so fat has not had any problems. It starts in any kind of weather, cold or heat never a problem.
It is very reliable. The only problem is how complex the headlight systems are, making repairs expensive.
I have had to replace the battery twice, but I think this is because of the high mileage - I have almost 200,000 miles.
How Much Is the 2008 Toyota Prius Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,490 – 9,180, making the Prius about $2,000 more than a Honda Civic Hybrid or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $21,500 to $23,770. Depreciation is better than average, only losing about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Prius?
There are three models of the Prius available. Technology is a bit dated since it was last updated for 2006, with a complete redesign happening in 2010.
Standard is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Touchscreen Controls
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo
Base is a step up adding features such as:
- Unique 15-Inch Wheels
- Cruise Control
- Heated Sideview Mirrors
Touring is the flagship model and has:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Xenon Headlights
- Sport Suspension
- Leather Seating
What Engines Come In the Prius?
The only engine available in the Prius is a weak 1.5L 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor which makes 110 horsepower and gets up to 46 MPG combined. Performance is poor, taking 10.9 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Prius Come In?
How Big Is the Prius?
The 2008 Prius is a compact car, similar in size to the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus. Passenger room is good throughout the cabin, with enough legroom for adults in the backseats.
Cargo space is better than other compact cars and has 14.4 cubic feet of room in the hatchback area.
How Does the Prius Compare to the Competition?
The Honda Civic Hybrid is another hybrid competitor, which costs about $2,000 less. Exterior styling is better on the Civic, but the Prius is the more reliable choice long-term. We recommend the Prius since they have fewer complaints, but both are good choices for shoppers.
The Mazda3 is another rival costing $2,000 less. Passenger room, cargo space, and performance are all better in the Mazda3, but the Prius is significantly more efficient. We recommend the Mazda3 unless you’re looking for an ultra-efficient vehicle, in which case the Prius wins.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Prius?
Yes. It is loaded with convenient features as well as being very fuel efficient. It also rides smoothly and has a great sound system.
Yes. I get very good mileage. I have has this car for 12 years and I am very happy with it. I hope it will last many more years.
Yes, it is extremely fuel efficient, comfortable, sleek, smooth, and safe. You will save on gas and have to fill up less. It handles great in all conditions surprisingly, the weight distribution is very good for added safety. Bluetooth, maps. Giant windshield.
Yes! It is low maintenance & reliable. It is now a family car & is growing with our family. The gas mileage is the best too.
Yes overall it is been reliable and fairly low maintenance. I like that it gets great mileage and is quiet. It is withstanding the test of time and been used in tough weather conditions and road conditions.
My Toyota Prius base is a very good vehicle. It's good in all weather and great on gas. Its small and easy to park.
I would say in my honest opinion that the 2008 Toyota Prius has been an absolutely fantastic vehicle.
I love driving my Prius, I love the mileage I get, I love the fact that I am not contributing too much to pollutants in the air..A.
