2012 Toyota Prius Review: An Excellent Budget-Friendly Hybrid

Jan 11, 2022

The 2012 Toyota Prius is a compact hybrid car with a price range of $9,581 to $14,166. Toyota has gained notoriety for the Prius, and the 2012 model year is a great one to get with fewer complaints than older versions.

The Good

Fuel economy is excellent and is one of the biggest selling points, technology is updated with a new touchscreen, and the hybrid powertrain lasts longer than competitors.

The Bad

The interior is noisier than other compact cars with less sound-deadening, instruments and controls are tricky to use, and the handling is looser than other compact cars.

2012 Toyota Prius: Quick Overview

New features for the 2012 model year include a minor exterior refresh with new bumpers, and a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Reliability ratings are great, according to J.D. Power, with fewer complaints than the older 2011 model.
Only one engine is available and is a hybrid 4-cylinder gasoline engine with electric motors.
Fuel economy is great, scoring 6^th out of 22 hybrid and electric vehicles with a combined rating of up to 48 miles per gallon.
Safety ratings are excellent for the size, with a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 2012 Toyota Prius ranks 9^th out of 22 hybrid and electric cars based on owner reviews. The Prius is not as exciting as some of the competitors, but is a fantastic reliable choice.

Expert Ratings

KBB

4.0/5

US News

8.9/10

Cars.com

4.5/5

Positive Owner Reviews

Angie T

Love this car! Highly recommend.

This car has great gas mileage, lots of room in the trunk, love the hatchback design, can sleep in the back, drives smooth and quiet, rarely needs maintainable, breaking takes a little getting used to! Includes backup camera and Bluetooth capabilities.

Mary B

Highly recommend Toyota Prius.

My Toyota Prius has over 200, 000 miles and is still running very well with no “extra” repairs other than regular maintenance. It is surprisingly roomy with the hatchback - I have traveled comfortably around the country for three week stretches with three other adults and a dog. The only feature I would change is the beeping alert when the car is put in reverse.

Ellen A

I love it but it is low riding and I can get stuck in snow easily.

If I put premium gas in I usually get 50mpg. I have not had issues with the car but keep it tuned up.

Velvet W

Great gas mileage, little maintenance, I expect this car to last 200,000 miles. Owning this car won't cost you an arm and a leg!

Love the gas mileage and reliability of this vehicle. Very little maintenance required. Change the oil, rotate the tires, change the filters., etc.

Daya G

Gas mileage is incredible. The car is driving and it's using both electric and gas. The battery is constantly on while driving.

It is a hybrid. The gas mileage is extremely affordable. It's a white car.

Chelsea B

Great value, performance, look- maybe not for a young family of four.

The gas mileage is deteriorating at quick rate. It is hard to sit in the passenger seat with the car seats for our children.

Guo Y

The car get me 45 miles per gallon on average but can easily do 50+.

The car is the best for long travels. It save me a lot of money on gas and is low maintenance. Only downside I could say about my car is that it is slow but I guess that is also why it is able to save so much in gas.

Cole T

It has a couple of high tech options and the interior is really nice to be in.

It has a decent amount of gas mileage. The car interior is nice. I dislike the noise though.

Negative Owner Reviews

Dustin Elrod

Buyer beware

No it’s a pos! Won’t last 300,000 miles

Phil Todd

2012 Toyota Prius

Three problems first don't keep wheel alignment, the second is the transmission right from the start had loud knock when I would backup since new, third half the screen on the speedometer side burnt out. I am not satisfied with dealer service or Toyota warranty or Toyota from dealers or the company.

Ryan H

Great on your wallet, but not much else.

The Prius is a great car for people looking for a basic commuter car that is good on gas. It is in no way attractive or fun to drive in any way. As a car person I am not a big fan. Reliability wise the Prius is spectacular. The one I drive has 189,000 miles and has never had a problem for us.

Pippa C

2012 Prius has all that is needed, basically.

Who at Toyota approved the console design of the 2012 Prius? The two-tier design of the console is awkward and messy. The bottom of the console simply collects dust and dirt. The top of the console has two cup holders in the most awkward, difficult to use position I have ever seen. Also, why a separate button to put car in park? Definitely not intuitive. And finally, who at Toyota said it was ok for the rear window to have a split screen?

Mark C

A virus will save you money on gas, but will give up comfort.

Not comfortable, but very reliable and excellent gas mileage. To much noise in the car, brakes last a very long time and the engine is very quiet. It is a very bumpy ride, not smooth at all. The storage in the back is very limited. There is three speeds, ev, pwr and eco. The pwr has very nice pep to it.

Chris A

The many blind spots makes getting on the highway & changing lanes challenging.

Seats are not heated or power. Very slow acceleration. Controls such as the radio and cruise are not where you think they would be. Too many blind spots especially in the rear there is a big bar in rear, because of the blind spots it is hard to change lanes.

Patrick T

Very economical reliable car.

Reliability is great, but comfort is not so good, mostly being very loud in the car. Features is standard, and it works for me. Performance is also good, since it saves money on gas. The main concern is uncomfortable seats and the noise level in the car is to high.

Geof S

Like the idea of hybrid, hate that Toyota will not stand behind their vehicle.

Car headlights burn out approximately every 6 months and Toyota will not take responsibility. They want over $600 to correct the problem whereas they covered the same problem for a similar model from the previous year. Car is extremely dangerous to drive at night because you never know when the lights will go out and even when you change the bulbs, the bulbs are due to the manufacturer's problem.

What Problems Does the 2012 Toyota Prius Have?

The 2012 Toyota Prius has fewer problems than other hybrid and electric compact cars on the market from the same year. Even though there are fewer issues than other cars, there are more complaints, though, than the newer 2013 model.

Problems with the headlights are still the most common complaint, but are not as widespread as on the 2011 model. The only solution is to replace headlight bulbs when they burn out, costing about $40 per light.

Excessive oil consumption is another problem, which is common to many Toyota vehicles. Toyota tends to design engines to use extra oil to reduce wear and tear on the components, consuming more oil than other brands. Checking your oil regularly is important to make sure the levels are full.

Problems with the brakes, including failures, are a rare problem. The extra weight of the battery packs causes the brakes to wear out faster than other compact cars. There are several sources including worn pads and rotors, and ABS system problems. If you have brake issues, the best course of action is to let a mechanic check out the system.

There are 8 recalls, which is worse than some other cars from 2012. The recalls include occupant sensing system calibration, inaccurate load labels, tail lamps, inverter failure, seat heater wiring, airbags, and the hybrid system stalling. Most serious are inverter and hybrid system stalling since they can lead to accidents.

What are the Prices, Models & Specs?

The 2012 Toyota Prius is average-priced for a compact hybrid, with a price range of $9,581 to $14,166, depending on the model and mileage. When new, the price range was $23,014 to $29,805. Depreciation is average, losing about 40% of the value over the first 5 years.

Two is the entry-level model with 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth seating, keyless ignition, cruise control, a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 6-speaker stereo system, as well as Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Three is next in the lineup with improved fabric, a rearview camera, navigation, EnTune app integration, and a solar roof option to vent the cabin in hot weather.
Four adds some features including automatic headlights, an 8-way power driver’s seat, heated seats, SofTex artificial leather seating, and a heads-up display.
Five is the flagship model with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision alert, and lane departure warning systems.

One

98 HP 50 MPG

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Two

98 HP 50 MPG

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Three

98 HP 50 MPG

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Four

98 HP 50 MPG

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Five

98 HP 50 MPG

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Base

134 HP 50 MPG

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Advanced

134 HP 50 MPG

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How Long Will the 2012 Toyota Prius Last?

A properly maintained 2012 Toyota Prius will last over 300,000 miles, which is longer than other compact hybrid cars. Owners should prepare for battery replacements every 100,000 miles, costing $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the pack. Regular maintenance prices are affordable for the class. Repair Pal estimates the costs to be $391 per year.

Timmy P

Yes I can trust in it when I need to. Very good car and very reliable and trustable. This car is easy to drive park and turn.

DoVay B

This has been a really reliable car. The only problem I had is not fixing an oil leak I had in time which was more my fault. Other than that no issues.

Kelly P

There has been one required software update, but the dealer performed it for free. Any other mishaps have been entirely user error.

Chelsea S

There have only been a few recalls on certain parts, but the dealership fixes them immediately. This car is extremely reliable, starts up in cold weather no matter the temp, and is always cheap to fill with fuel.

Sharon T

I have almost 240,000 miles on the car. I have maintained regular service on it and have taken the recommendations of the service dept. The fixes have been on general items that just wear out as an auto is used.

James E

The Toyota Prius is pretty reliable. Since it is pretty new too, I haven't run into many problems at all

Deb T

So far it’s been reliable. I haven't had any major problems with the car so far. So far I only had to change the battery.

Grace S

I have not had any problems with it so far. It seems very reliable and it has not had any major problems.

What Technology & Safety Features Are Included?

Technology features in the 2012 Toyota Prius are better than a lot of other compact vehicles in the same price range.

Standard technology includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen stereo system with AM/FM/CD playback, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as 6 speakers.
Upgrades include navigation, and Toyota EnTune app connectivity to sync with smartphones.
Standard safety features include anti lock brakes, air bags, as well as stability and traction control. Optional upgrades include a rear view camera, Toyota Safety Connect, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision system with lane departure warning.

What Engine Options are Available?

Only one engine is available in the 2012 Prius, and is a 1.8L 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor. The combined output from the gasoline engine and electric motor is 134 horsepower. Performance is weak for a compact car, taking 10.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

What Color Options are Available?

How Big is the Prius?

The 2012 Toyota Prius is a compact hybrid car, but has a hatchback instead of a regular trunk so there is more room for passengers and supplies. Passenger room is great in the front and back seats, with plenty of legroom for adults. Cargo space is excellent for a compact vehicle, and 5 suitcases will fit in the 21.6 cubic feet of room in the back.

How Does the 2012 Toyota Prius Compare to Other Cars?

Ranking 9^th out of 22 hybrid and electric cars, based on owner reviews, the 2012 Toyota Prius is in the upper half of the class.

A close competitor is the more affordable Honda Civic Hybrid. The Civic offers less controversial exterior styling, and better interior materials. Longevity is better in the Prius, and there’s more standard technology. The two are very close, but the Prius sets the gold standard and is the one to go with.

Another rival is the more costly Lexus CT. The two cars are built on the same platform and offer similar performance and reliability figures. Where the Lexus comes out ahead is with a much nicer interior with luxurious materials, and a bit more cargo space with the larger 5-door hatchback. Overall, the choice comes down to if you want to spend the extra $4,000 for luxury or not, since the CT is just a luxurious Prius.

Ranks #9 Hybrid & Electric by Owners

Tie

2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid

Tie

2012 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Tie

2012 Toyota Prius

4.5

Final Verdict: Is the 2012 Toyota Prius a Good Car?

Yes, the 2012 Toyota Prius is a good car based on information from 445 verified owner reviews, and 12 government and automotive websites. The positives include a good amount of standard technology, and a long-lasting hybrid drivetrain. Downsides are the expensive batteries wear out, and the interior feels cheaper than other cars. Overall, the Prius is one of the most popular compact Hybrid cars, and is a great choice for shoppers.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

John P on June 25, 2021

Great car for city driving.

Great car for around town commuting. Super reliable. 90,000 miles and never an issue. Fuel efficient. 45 mpg. Not great for long distances. Short wheel base makes for a bumpy ride and the car is pretty noisy too. More than 90 minutes in the car and you are feeling it.

Lara P on June 16, 2021

Great mileage and roomy cargo space.

This car has excellent gas mileage, great cargo space it feels very roomy and it has been very dependable. The interface of the car is very intuitive. The car also feels extremely compact when parking although it is roomy inside. I have not had any serious problems with this car.

Sherry M on June 16, 2021

Do not judge a car by its cover.

Averages about 40 mpg. Initially appears to be a very small car but is surprisingly spacious with plenty of leg space as well as storage space. The power button is a feature I have come to appreciate when getting on the highway and you need a bit of extra zip.

Rebecca A on June 14, 2021

Gas saving Prius is the car for you!

I really enjoy my Prius. The gas mileage I get in the city to and from work is really incredible! I am also able to have two children in their car seats with ease! I also love the hatch back because it really makes for a roomy trunk space! The tires are also affordable which is a really nice feature too.

Pippa C on June 10, 2021

2012 Prius has all that is needed, basically.

Sherry P on June 5, 2021

Driving my Prius is like floating on a cloud running down the road!

I love my Toyota Prius. It gets great gas mileage and is fun to drive. It has comfortable seats and plenty of room in the back seat for passengers. It has seat warmers and great speakers. It has get up and go when entering the freeway. I love the back up camera. The controls in the steering wheel are a definite plus. It is a pretty silver color and after 8 years the paint job is still in great shape. The air conditioning and heater are easy to use and work fantastic.

Stephanie K on June 3, 2021

Great family economical car.

The Toyota Prius is a great cost-saving vehicle because it does not need as much gas to fill up. Spend only $20 or less on a tank of gas at the station. This hybrid vehicle is fun to drive as well. The pick-up and power can be adjusted to an “economy mode” that helps save on gas consumption. There is a backup camera included.

Nazali G on May 26, 2021

Gas expense is very low and I only pump once every two weeks.

The tire sensor is damaged and the mileage is high. All four locks also do not open/close automatically with my remote. Only one of them automatically opens. The rest I have to manually lock/unlock with the key or my hand. There are also several other issues that would cost too much to fix and it is not worth it because I have to get rid of it soon.

Brittany S on May 25, 2021

Extremely reliable, amazing vehicle.

Very reliable vehicle! It has great gas mileage along with very spacious trunk capacity. It is a smooth ride where half the time you cannot even hear the car running. It has inexpensive regular maintenance. I would highly recommend this vehicle to everyone and I would definitely purchase another!

Fernanda W on May 19, 2021

The comfort and economy of the car do me very well.

I love my car. Its size is perfect for my family of 4. It is an economical car, comfortable and with great potential. I really like the size of the car and the ease of parking it. My only point is the time of the car to get a faster speed, as in the freeway. But the comfort and practicality of the car make up for this situation.

Mimi L on May 15, 2021

Toyota Prius worth every penny.

Saves a ton of money on gas. The. Hatchback trunk helps with moving big objects like furniture. The seats are fairly comfortable except the back seats might not be as roomy. Plenty of legroom in the front lots of storage in the front the cup holders are of easy access.

Terri G on May 9, 2021

More than satisfied all around.

We purchased our plug-in Toyota because we believed we'd be helping our environment in many ways. We never thought we'd be as satisfied as we are with the durability and performance of the car. 80,000 miles and never one problem w the battery. Round trip to run errands usually only using battery, no gas. What other affordable vehicle can get over 800 miles on 8 gallons of gas!

Veronica D on May 8, 2021

I believe the Toyota Prius is a great commuter car.

I had the hybrid battery die on me and CarMax MaxCare would not cover it but I was lucky that it was still under Toyota warranty and they saved me $3,000. The gas is amazing and I love my car! It is extremely reliable and easy to take care of. Read the manual for oil changes because you do not have to do them as often as the lights comes on.

Alexis M on May 6, 2021

Lightweight and comfortable.

Easy to drive, good mileage, comfortable, more space than it looks like. I have had no mechanical. Issues thus far. Lightweight and great turning. Challenges are that it is lightweight and not great in heavier weather, snow, rain, major wind. It can manage, but I would not push the capacity.

ALICIA C on May 4, 2021

A great driving car and great on gas mileage, 58 miles per gallon.

You cannot claim its beautiful look.. May not be Japanese manufacturer consider comfort nice front and back seats, with good seat adjustment pickup is slow, maybe because its hybrid.. I'll probably continue to get Toyota Priuses as this is my third one and I really like them. They have plenty of security features like warning if you get too close to the car in front of you or it beeps if you cross the line in case you get tired and I am a little older so it is good to have those added safety features.

Brandon C on May 2, 2021

Happy 2012 Toyota Prius owner.

The mileage of the Prius is great on the pocket book. I do not visit a gas station all to often at all. Repair work and regular maintenance are easy. Cargo space is much more than you'd think. I rarely ever have an issue with my vehicle other than the lights seem to go out more than any other vehicle I have owned. Service department says it's normal.

Lidia A on April 27, 2021

Safe, reliable, great gas mileage.

I have had my 2012 Toyota Prius for 5 years now, and it is never given me any issues. I get great gas mileage, which I love. I only fill my tank twice a month during normal times and now about once a month since I am working from home. It is a safe and reliable vehicle.

Eddin M on April 20, 2021

I would buy the Prius again when mine gets old and I had it for fives now.

There is no problems. My car is great I do not waste much gas I save a lot of money with my car, it is fast and really comfortable. Has Bluetooth, my Prius is just a really great car I had it for 5 years now and it works perfectly. I drive from Utah to Las Vegas and I only put gas twice to go and back it is one of the best purchase I done in my life.

Kay A on April 11, 2021

Great car and mileage would definitely recommend buying.

The Toyota Prius is a great vehicle. It does have some downsides like it is basically plastic so whenever it is windy the car may drift also it hydroplanes a lot. Other than that it is great on gas and has a lot of room. Fixing the car is not as expensive as other cars also you can ride in style.

Nancy M on April 3, 2021

Can use either battery or gasoline depending on speed and other factors.

Extremely reliable. I love the fact that the car is a hybrid - it saves on gas because it can switch between battery and gasoline. When you coast or break it recharges the battery. I have had Toyotas before and always found them reliable and relatively inexpensive to maintain.

Ana P on March 31, 2021

Super economic, in energy and gasoline ideal to handle it in a big city.

Is very good vehicle, is no problem, low price and petrol grabber, has super power when driving on freeway, has plenty of space and reclining seats, I like it much more than modern cars due to is saving on energy, it is easy to park in the city and gives me a lot of security when driving it.

kevin R on March 30, 2021

Good car for the price. Good gas mileage for city and leiser traveling.

Better fuel efficiency. Not many blind spots. Keyless feature is nice.

Joy A on March 26, 2021

Toyota Prius pros and cons.

Toyota Prius gas mileage is great because it uses the back-up power of battery, where it is being charged hen the vehicle is moving. The battery is very useful when your speed is less than 24 mph. The only thing that I do not like with the Prius model is when the vehicle speeds up and there's a vortex in the car, which is very inconvenient at times. I can hear the air gushing inside the car.

Jessie J on March 26, 2021

The gas mileage is so amazing. I do not see how i'll ever get a different vehicle.

I love the gas mileage and the size of the car. I dislike the size of the gas tank, I wish it was larger so that more miles could be traveled per tank.

Lilia B on March 26, 2021

Save money: great mileage on gas.

It is a great car for day to day driving. You get great mileage on gas. It is a smaller size car so it fit almost everywhere. Smooth drive, sits are very comfortable. Very quiet car so make sure you double check it is off before you leave. The safety options on the vehicle are great.

Lori H on March 25, 2021

Great Prius for hauling stuff.

Great mileage. Tons of storage. I drive it all around city picking up baby blankets. I can store up to 300 baby blankets at a time. The only trouble I have ever had, was a recall notice. So my maintenance price has been minimal. I have only had to have it in the shop the one time for the recall.

Stephanie P on March 23, 2021

Highly dependable, comfortable, 50 mpg.

My Prius is the best car I ever owned. The gas mileage is unbeatable. I average 50 mpg. I have 197,000 miles and have had zero repairs. I have only done regular maintenance, tires, oil change, brakes. It is a comfortable car. It is fast and speedy. I will never own another car except a Prius!

Tyler G on March 22, 2021

You need to use premium gas in it, and replace with fully synthetic oil.

The acceleration is low, but once it gets going it is better. It is very comfortable. And the seats are nice.

Lina R on March 16, 2021

Expensive to buy but cheap to drive

Using air lowers gas mileage. Best at 50.mph . Easy to drive

Josh K on March 15, 2021

Toyota Prius - a cut above the rest.

I love this car. I purchased it used from a family friend, so I was certain I was getting a car in good shape. The Toyota Prius has made a believer out of me. I love the way it drives, how comfortable it is, and especially the gas mileage. Unless another car comes along and blows me away, I'll continue to buy the Toyota Prius.

Skyler K on March 15, 2021

I love the gas mileage and the hybrid as well it is a safe car for my children.

I haven't really had any issues with my car. I do however do not like that when it rains my check engine light comes on. My windshield has a leak so when it rains the water leaks into my car. The radio also tends to mute itself whenever the weather is bad as well.

Lorie P on March 13, 2021

It drives very smoothly and the seat quality is perfect.

I don't really have any problems or complaints with my vehicle. I do not know a lot about cars but the seats are very comfortable and makes driving more relaxing. I like the spacing in the car and the fact that I can see my mph and fuel level very easily. Would recommend buying this car.

Sofia D on March 12, 2021

The Prius is comfortable and effective, sometimes a bit slow.

Comfortable, big, a little slow to start up and hard to add gas to make go a faster, it is a slow car. But it is a good family car it is comfortable it is very safe and it is very spacey inside. I would recommend this car also it is good for the environment. Also filling up the gas is a lot cheaper than most cars which is a big positive faster and the gas lasts long for the miles. They should make more colors and versions of this car.

Melvin A on March 6, 2021

Real world Prius. For real world people.

Best car ever bought. Very satisfied. Will buy another in the future. Would recommend to others. Appreciate the improvements that Toyota continues to make. Not the dweeb car that everyone thinks it is. If Toyota keeps that prices competitive, they will continue to have a hit.

Erin G on March 5, 2021

The Prius has been a great source of peace and comfort in my everyday life.

I love my Prius. My parents had one and I just fell in love. I love that if there is an issue with my tires, or something inside my car, it displays it to me directly right on my display. I do not like that the battery is underneath the back of my car (it is really hard to jump if your car dies), but luckily I had someone there when it happened that knew exactly what to do. It is comfortable and user friendly. It is a little harder to see your blind spot, but if your mirrors are correct, that is not much of an issue.

Nicole R on March 4, 2021

It gets at least 50 mpg especially when driving locally.

I love the amazing gas mileage I get. I'm able to use a single tank of gas a week even though my commute is 40 miles each way. One thing that is not as likeable is the lack of acceleration when starting from a stop.

Larry H on March 4, 2021

It gets 50 mpg and I only have to buy gas once or twice a month.

No complaints. I love the gas mileage, the technology, and the silent cabin. I wish it was all electric.

Max Y on March 2, 2021

Quiet and smooth. Fuel saving. Quite practical.

I love that it's oil-electric hybrid, and I don't have to pay much on fuel the car. The car's economical and comfortable to sit inside as well as comfortable to drive. Also it's easy to control even for newbie to learn the way to drive a car. But sometimes I feel that the car's space is too small for a family to travel or move. Especially when we try to put lots of luggages into the rear. And also, in the extreme weather, it feels unsafe to drive it. I guess because the chassis' relatively low and also the car's weight is light, personally I feel unsafe to drive it during some snowy days and windy days. Overall, it's still a good car with good price and quality.

Sophie K on March 1, 2021

Gas efficient and overall amazing!

I love how cad efficient my Prius is. The sound quality of the speaker is good (I blast my music), the Bluetooth works pretty well but sometimes take a minute to load, and I like the way the car looks. It is pretty smooth to drive and has plenty of space while being able to fit into compact parking spaces.

Asher B on February 28, 2021

It's hybrid and gas efficient

I love that it's a hybrid. The gas mileage is really good and it drives smoothly. I also really like that it's a hatchback and the way the storage works. It's been a great purchase!

Dawn C on February 28, 2021

Quality of Toyota is a family car from mom to daughter you can pass it down.

I love my Prius great gas mileage and good with oil changes. Only have to get one every 5000 miles due to synthetic oil not much cost with maintenance. Will probably buy another if this one dies. Daughter will be driving soon will probably give her my old one has only 60, 000 miles on it by the time she is driving.

Aasma A on February 28, 2021

Great basic car with easy features.

If you need a car with basics need and a small size for a little family, this one would be a great car. The features are easy and the seats are comfortable. If you have more than three people then I would suggest to look for bigger cars. I think what I am missing is a navi in the car because I experience some issue with my smartphone so that would a great add.

Tim P on February 15, 2021

Toyota Prius gets great gas mileage, and still is fun to drive.

I love the gas mileage. It is also pretty comfortable. I do not like the cost of parts from Toyota. I wish they put the defrost control on the steering wheel.

Nicole O on February 13, 2021

Honest review of a forever car.

I will never buy another car then a Toyota Prius. Its stylish, functional and safe. A bonus is the fuel efficiency. I would recommend any model of Prius to others as it was the most pleasant surprise and a car I never thought I wanted, but would never go back.

Matthew W on February 8, 2021

Awesome daily driver! Amazing mpg.

I bought this car for my commute to work and it is ideal for that. Most days I get upwards of fifty miles to the gallon. This car has saved me a fortune in gas money. You cannot use it to haul much but it is great for a daily driver, especially if you have a long commute like I do.

Kelly L on February 3, 2021

What to consider when becoming the owner of a Prius hybrid vehicle.

The 2012 Prius offers no way to safely upgrade the audio system. This model has very expensive parts to replace if needed. The cost of synthetic motor oil to maintain the vehicle is high. The battery is complicated & difficult to access, and very high in price.

Timothy O on February 2, 2021

Great mileage. Amazing space.

The exterior is a little flimsy and requires extra maintenance. Otherwise, I love it. It's a hybrid, so the mileage is superb. It has a hatch so there is extra room when I want to bring the dogs. It accelerates and has the power to do what I need. Great multi-purpose car.

Dar L on February 1, 2021

Road trip friendly vehicle.

I haven't really experienced any problems with my car and I find that the performance and reliability is very good although I am pretty easy to please—my car really just needs to be reliable and run when it I need it to. I find that it is pretty comfortable, I took it on a road trip with 3 other adults and a dog and it managed to fit all of our things in it and it still made for a pretty decent trip. Might have needed a little more legroom but it worked. I have a backup camera which helps a lot and makes it really convenient.

Christine C on January 30, 2021

Great mileage all the time and very reliable and good power

Great mileage. Very reliable low maintenance costs

Brittany B on January 30, 2021

Base model white hybrid vehicle.

The Prius is the most reliable car I have ever owned never had any issues with performance. I mainly drive a Prius to save on fuel, which the mpg is amazing and saves me a lot of money. The only thing that dislike about the car is the exterior look and the luxurious feel.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.