Toyota Prius - 2005 Review

My husband and I considered the purchase of a hybrid for several years before buying one. The tipping point came in the fall of 2005, after the fallout from Katrina served as a stark reminder of our city's reliance on a steady supply of fossil fuel from the gulf region. We purchased our Prius, dubbed Yoda because he's "little, green and wise" in October of 2005.

Toyota's Prius was one of the first hybrid models with widespread appeal. Still, we find that non-Prius owners often are still a little confused as to what a hybrid's all about. No, it doesn't have to be plugged in. Yes, it does still require gas, just less than most cars. The Prius is dubbed a "hybrid" because it switches seamlessly between electric mode and ICE (internal combustion engine) mode, which is similar to that of a standard automobile.

Our Prius was a top-of-the-line model, complete with a navigation system. There aren't many trim lines for the Prius. In fact it completely lacks many luxuries owners might want to purchase with a car. The 2005 model doesn't have a satellite radio system (although you can install one aftermarket), it doesn't come with a sunroof (too much weight), you can't get heated seats and there is no factory-installed leather option.

What the Prius does provide, and in spades, is a comfortable ride in an average sedan, with mileage rates of anywhere from 45-55 miles per gallon. That mileage is still a decent cry from the published rates of up to 60mpg, due to the way that fuel efficiency is measured. In our experience of over 35,000 miles, we score the best mileage on mild days, when we're traveling distances greater than 20 miles, at speeds of 45-60 miles per hour. In those conditions, we have averaged up to 54 miles per gallon. On short trips, cold days, or on long road trips at high speeds, mileage suffers as the car must engage the internal combustion engine frequently in these situations. In those situations, our overall mileage might drop down as low as 49 MPG. As an added bonus, the Prius takes regular unleaded gasoline, not any of the pricier high octane fuel mixtures required for many of the cars on the road today.

Our Prius drives well. The ride isn't great and the car sure won't win any land speed records, but the car is responsive and performs as well as any four-cylinder engine in high acceleration situations. The interior of the car is roomy, and everyone who takes a ride in it expresses their surprise at the amount of space in both the front and the back, and the seat comfort.

My only real complaint about our Prius is that the fit and finish of the car seems to be lacking. It's the little things, like slight rattles on the passenger-side front door, that drive me nuts. Toyota didn't seem to pay as much attention to designing a comfortable interior for the Prius as they did for other models, such as the Highlander. A good example of this is the front cupholders. Made from simple molded plastic, they can cause an infernal rattle when paired with soda cans, water bottles or travel mugs. We actually keep fabric insulating "cozies" in the car to cover the base of our drinks to reduce the rattling.

Cat's Bottom Line
We like our Prius so much that it's our primary car for everything. With its hatchback design and drop down rear seats, the Prius can hold or haul just about any cargo. I don't foresee a car purchase in our near future, but when it comes time to sell a car and buy a new one, our other car is going to go, and might just be replaced by a second Prius!