Most reliable car I've ever owned in 40+ years of driving
Our 2001 Toyota Prius has been going strong for 16 years. It had some minor issues with fuel injectors and the throttle sensor early in its life that were covered under warranty but that is all that has needed service beyond routine maintenance. Even the brakes are still original. The hybrid batteries are still going. We struggled with the low rolling resistance Bridgestone tires that would last more than 20,000 miles at the beginning, but after a couple of sets of tires we switched to first Dunlop, then Michelin tires with a slight penalty in gas mileage but with significantly greater durability and traction in wet and icy conditions. I don't recommend the early Prius for long road trips as the seats are not the most comfortable, but for commuting to work or shopping around town it is hard to beat for ease of driving, parking, and fuel economy.
Recommended