Compact car; Built in Japan
  • 4-door hatchback
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $6,700 – $16,700*


2005 Toyota Prius


2005 Toyota Prius


2005 Toyota Prius


2005 Toyota Prius

Pros:
  • Fuel economy
  • Maneuverability
Cons:
  • Acceleration

The Prius proves there’s more to “economy” than purchase price and miles per gallon. With the heated global-warming debate and record gas prices unlikely to ease, this hybrid should be as much in demand as a used car as it’s been on the new-car market. But its low emissions and high mpg may cost you more vs. conventional economy cars, especially given Toyota’s reputation for workmanship and reliability. Note, too, that this is a technically sophisticated machine that could cost a bundle to fix if something major goes wrong. And make no mistake: Electronics still can go wrong. With those caveats, the second-generation Prius is a pleasant and practical compact that lets you drive “green” with extra greenbacks in your pocket. You may never save enough in gas to offset its price premium and service costs, but you’ll love it every time you fill up.

Overview

The second gasoline/electric hybrid car on the U.S. market (after Honda’s Insight) was redesigned for 2004, growing in size, power and features, but not base price. Toyota morphed Prius from a 4-dr sedan to a sloped-roof 4-dr hatchback that added 6.9 inches in wheelbase, 6.3 in overall length, 1.2 inches in height and nearly 2 inches in width. Curb weight rose by some 125 lb. Though still classed as a compact, this larger new Prius rivaled Toyota’s midsize Camry sedan for passenger and cargo room, yet boasted some of the industry’s highest EPA fuel-economy ratings with estimates of no less than 60 mpg city, 55 highway.

As in the 2001-03 Prius, a 1.5-liter 4-cyl gasoline engine paired with a battery-driven electric motor to drive the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT. Depending on driving needs, the car used one or both power sources as directed by a powertrain computer, though it always moved off on electric power, with the gas engine cutting in around 20 mph or so. The system allowed the motor to act as generator for charging the battery pack, so no plugging-in was required. Like other CVTs, the Prius transmission dispensed with fixed gears to furnish a near-infinite number of drive ratios, again determined by the powertrain computer. New “by-wire” electronics replaced mechanical linkages for the accelerator and shift lever. Also aiding efficiency were a power-steering pump and air-conditioning compressor driven by electric motors instead of power-sapping engine-driven belts. Another new powertrain feature was a “hill acceleration control” designed to maintain a steady speed up and down steep slopes. The result of all this was a combined 133 peak horsepower.

Antilock brakes remained standard, joined by traction control and a newly optional antiskid system. Front side airbags and front/rear curtain side airbags were also available for the first time. Other new options included xenon headlamps and a “smart” keyless entry/engine-starting system with pocket transmitter. The optional navigation system added voice-command capability. As before, it operated from a central dashboard touch-screen that also governed various audio and climate controls. Continued were real-time screen displays for “power flow” and instant and average fuel economy.

For all the changes, Toyota held the Prius price line for 2004, claiming it could do so because it was finally making money on its hybrid car. (Many suspected Toyota had subsidized earlier models.) That plus the fresh design produced strong buyer demand, helped by Prius-owning Hollywood notables and other grandees who gave this hybrid high social status. Not surprisingly, Prius was soon in short supply, with long waiting lists and hefty dealer markups the rule. The situation continued into 2005, spurred by a midyear spike in gas prices and despite more cars being available for the U.S. market. Though several larger gas/electric cars were available by 2006-including a first-ever hybrid Camry sedan-Prius remained a hot seller as gas prices hit a record $3-plus, with $4 a gallon seemingly inevitable and imminent.

As before, Prius’ only competition as a compact hybrid car came from Honda: the two-seat Insight coupe and the larger, more-conventional Civic Hybrid sedan. Insight was dropped after 2006 due to waning sales, but the Civic loomed a stronger challenger that season, thanks to a redesign of its own. Yet for all the hype and hullabaloo, hybrid vehicles still account for only a small percentage of new-vehicle sales, and few have reached the secondhand market at this point. Hybrids do seem here to stay, but their ultimate impact is anything but clear.

Yearly Updates

2005 Prius
The only change was making a rear-window wiper/washer standard instead of optional equipment.
2006 Prius
Peak horsepower was restated as 110 total with adoption of a new industry rating method; the powertrain itself was unchanged. A few styling details were changed, and a rearview camera became available in several option packages. The camera was not tied to navigation option, but did use the same dashboard screen to display a view behind the vehicle when backing up.
2007 Prius
This gas/electric hybrid car added a sport-themed Touring model and more standard safety features for 2007. Newly standard were front side airbags and curtain side airbags; they had been optional.
2008 Prius
The 2008 Toyota Prius added a new lower-priced Standard model but was otherwise unchanged.
2009 Prius
The 2009 Toyota Prius was largely unchanged.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

The only powertrain comprised a 1.5-liter 4-cyl gasoline engine paired with a battery-driven electric motor. Combined net horsepower was initially stated as 133, but was restated to 110 for 2006 due to a change in rating method; the powertrain itself was unchanged.

dohc I4/electric
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 110
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 82
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
CVT automatic

60/51

41.0

Road Test

We clocked a 2004 Prius at 10.5 sec 0-60 mph, slower than most conventional economy cars. Passing response is equally sluggish, and speed tails off rapidly up steep hills, but the car copes well enough with fast-moving metro traffic. Fuel economy is not as advertised-it never is with hybrids-but is terrific all the same. The worst we could do was 36.7 mpg with mostly aggressive city driving and gas-eating performance tests. Other test cars returned 42.6-45.2 mpg in more-restrained city/highway use, 41.7 mpg in mainly highway driving, figures reflecting the fact that hybrids are most efficient at city speeds. Part of that stems from a fuel-saving feature that shuts off the gas engine at stoplights, then restarts it on applying the throttle. There’s a slight shudder as the engine cuts in and out, but you get used to it. Not so the annoying surging and bogging we encountered in cruising conditions.

Just as it favors mileage over muscle, the Prius emphasizes ride comfort over road manners. The ride is supple and cushy, helped by the relatively long wheelbase, though there’s some float over large humps at highway speed. Handling suffers from the soft suspension and skinny, economy-biased tires. Cornering is safe and front-drive predictable, but it’s not much fun, with fairly marked body lean and limited grip. The skinny tires also compromise straightline stability, especially in crosswinds, and tend to follow road grooves. But none of this is alarming, and the car’s compact size and tight turning circle are great in the urban confines. Some of our testers, however, thought the electric steering a bit light and artificial-feeling. Stopping power is good, though brake-pedal action was unprogressive on a couple of test cars. Refinement is good by small-car standards. Wind and road noise are relatively modest. So is mechanical ruckus except at high rpm, where the Toyota engine is a bit gruffer and growlier than Honda’s 4-cyl in the Civic Hybrid.

As noted, this compact boasts midsize-car passenger and cargo room. Seats front and rear are class-typical for shape and padding, yet most of our staff found them long-haul comfortable. Tall occupants might wish for more seat travel in front and more head room in back, but the deficits are small. Entry/exit is easy, especially for a compact. Cabin décor is hi-tech without overdoing it. Plastics and fabrics are Toyota’s usual sturdy stuff. The hatchback design is equally practical. There’s 16.1 cu. ft. of cargo space with all hands aboard, and a standard 60/40 split folding rear seat opens up a good deal more. Alas, the sloped tail and high load floor preclude toting bulky stuff with the hatch closed, despite a large opening. Small-items storage is better than average, with twin dashboard gloveboxes, a roomy console bin, and an under-floor compartment in the cargo bay.

There’s a minivan feel behind the wheel, with a highish seat position, relatively vast dashtop, and a close-up view of the road through a steeply angled windshield. Still, some testers found the front pillars interfered with seeing around turns. Visibility to the sides is good, less so aft and over-the-shoulder, thanks to the sloping roof. Instruments and some controls continue the hi-tech theme. A digital speedometer, fuel gauge and transmission indicator sit directly ahead of the driver; they’re fairly distant, but easy enough to read. The multifunction touch screen is pretty intuitive, but readily picks up fingerprints and can wash out in direct sunlight. The available “smart entry” system with engine on/off button takes some learning, as does the odd action of the small shift lever sprouting from the dash.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Toyota Prius Rating (base w/navigation system)

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 3
30%
Fuel Economy - 9
90%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 57

Specifications

4-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
106.3 175.0 67.9 58.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.1 11.9 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 37.1 41.9 38.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2004 Prius 4-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 4
80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Coolant leak
Description: A coolant leak may develop in the converter/inverter assembly, requiring component replacement, but this part is covered by the 96 month/100,000 mile warranty. (2004-05)
Dashboard lights
Description: Some early production vehicles may light the malfunction indicator due to an air/fuel ratio sensor problem, but an improved sensor is available. (2005)
Dashboard lights
Description: The Hybrid System malfunction indicator light may come on even though there are not obvious problems on some early production vehicles, but a special wire must be installed in the high-voltage battery system. (2004)
Dashboard lights
Description: Using the wrong oil viscosity can trigger the malfunction indicator light and throw a trouble code for “engine does not start.” (2004-05)
Engine knock
Description: The engine may crank slowly and trigger the check engine light or the engine may not start altogether if there crankcase is overfilled or a too high viscosity oil is used. (2004-09)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel meter may be inaccurate and the tank may not hold the amount it is supposed to, requiring replacement of the meter and/or the fuel filler pipe. (2004)
Audio system
Description: The audio system may be noisy when using an external MP3 player requiring installation of an in-line filter. (2006-08)
Pedals
Description: The brake pedal may squeak and, if bleeding the system does not help, the brake actuator may have to be replaced. (2004-06)
Brake lights
Description: The parking brake light may stay illuminated after release and a revised pedal assembly was made available. (2004-06)
Brake lights
Description: The parking brake light remains on due to the switch breaking or falling out of position unless an improved parking brake lever is installed. (2004-07)
Check-engine light
Description: The check engine light may come on due to a problem with the coolant flow control valve. (2004-06)
Check-engine light
Description: The engine may crank slowly and trigger the check engine light or the engine may not start altogether if there crankcase is overfilled or a too high viscosity oil is used. (2004-09)

Recall History

2004 Prius
Description: Some vehicles may have power-steering components that can crack under certain conditions, thus impairing vehicle control. Dealers will inspect components in question and replace if necessary.
2004-06 Prius
Description: Some vehicles may have improperly assembled airbag inflators that may not fully inflate the bag as designed. Dealers will replace any affected airbags.
2004-2009 Prius
Description: Metal splines connecting the steering wheel to the steering gear may wear and eventually fail, resulting in a loss of steering.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

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