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2008 Toyota Prius

2008 Toyota Prius
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Vehicle Overview:
Vehicle Type: Compact Car
ABS Brakes: Standard
Standard Airbags: 2
MPG: 48/45 (City/HWY)
Engine Offered:
1.5L I4 110HP



 Green Car

Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 4.3
Exterior: 4.3
Interior: 4.1
Overall: 4.2

Review Guide:
5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

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2008 Toyota Prius Consumer Car Review Summary

Top 5 Pros of 2008 Toyota Prius

  1. Great gas mileage
  2. Spacious interior room
  3. Fun to drive
  4. Cargo space
  5. Value

Top 5 Cons of 2008 Toyota Prius

  1. Lumbar support
  2. Improved upholstery
  3. Simplify display
  4. OnStar-like system
  5. More adjustable front seats

Displaying 20 Reviews - Read More

Submitted 2009-09-10 12:10:53


 emckinnon

 

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

3

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
MPG
Comfort
HYBRID System
Touch Display
Steering Wheel Controls
Cargo Space

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Poor Tire Wear
Small Gas Tank
Better Quality Interior (Materials)
Better Location of AUX Connection
Cruise Control Resume

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Very reliable. Great MPG even when not focusing on getting better MPG. I carry two bikes on the roof (THULE) at times, and I still get 45 plus MPG. Surprising power at highway speed. The rear hatch doesn't always latch correctly. It's been aligned, but it still has issues unless it's firmly closed. Tire wear could be better. Better quality materials for the dash and other parts of the interior would make it easier to keep looking new. Overall the car is better than I expected. very roomy, which was a surprise.

Submitted 2009-05-23 14:31:06


 SNR

 

Performance:

4

Exterior:

4

Interior:

4

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Love the gas mileage and low fuel costs!
Very Comfortable on long trips for my 6 ft 5 inch frame.
Very quiet! I can hold Blue Tooth Cell phone conversations at highway speed.
I like the fold down rear seats for cargo. I've even carried a 9 ft long banana board. (No front seat passenger of course) - Honda Civic Hybrid does not have fold down seats.
Love the small car maneuverability after years of driving a Dodge Grand
Caravan. Very quick steering and short turn radius.
Love the styling - except for the front end which looks 'Mickey Mouse'. Great aerodynamics though! Thats what really counts.
Very good passing acceleration on Highway.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
1 - Improve the gas gauge - Make it larger and with eye catching warning when low fuel is sensed.
2 - Add engine gauges - RPM, Temp, Oil Pressure.
3 - Allow the the EV button on American models. Many times I need to repark the car in driveway and engine doesn't need to fire up then.
4 - Relocate rear view mirror so it doesn't block view of tall drivers.
5 - Off-the-line acceleration is poor until the engine powers up. Never try to beat traffic from a standing start!

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Bought a 2008 Prius about a year ago and have driven close to 18000 reliable miles. I average 47-49 MPG usually. About 5mpg less in rainy weather. Last summer I built up a box trailer using a Habor freight 1100 lb GW chassis. With load and cargo box I was pulling 750 lbs. Traveled from Calif to Indiana & return - 5000 miles at 36mph average. No probs except for the time I ran it out of gas. Power ramped down and when I pulled over every light on dash lit up like an XMAS tree! Thought I had ruined it. On restarting the engine came on and we were able to return to a gas station a few miles back at 45-50 mph. This is an undocumented feature of the Prius. Now I religiously monitor the fuel gauge and refuel when it gets down to 3 of 10 bars! Dealer said it's very expensive to completely run dry as the fuel pump is ruined and very expensive!

Submitted 2009-08-14 17:46:20


 Will Schaefer

 

Performance:

4

Exterior:

5

Interior:

4

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Great gas mileage.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Extremely poor tire wear - we check them with inflater before using car to ensure proper pressure; computers fail randomly and indicate 'hydraulic' failure; also have experienced a situation of going downhill, used brake and B in drive; 'coincidentally' car stuck in neutral and then hydraulic failure lights came on -- still waiting for dealer response as to, why?

Battery failure if not driven frequently.

Bad news for expensive car and theoretically good dealership.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Bad news for expensive car and theoretically good dealership.

Submitted 2009-02-02 10:04:13


  GUEST

Performance:

2

Exterior:

4

Interior:

3

Overall:

3
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
It's fun to drive and in the summer we get great gas millege.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
The cannot be jumped like a regular car. It has to be towed to the dealer. We don't get more that 30 mpg in the winter.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
We have had a probem with the battery. My car is sitting in the garage right now with a dead battery--which is the second time within a month that this has happened.

Submitted 2008-12-18 09:13:32


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Gas mileage
Interior space (head room)
Instrumentation (love that interior/exterior air temps and the Bluetooth cap)
Stability

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Add side and front camera sensors (EO, IR and radar)
Increase mirror size
Add external battery charger hook-up (see Pop Sci for Jun 06)
Add built-in electric air pump/blower to side trunk area
Add iPOd or MP3 holder with interface (to eliminate rqmt for post-market cords)
Redesign instrumentation to add navigation/gps/on-star after initial delivery
Add option for hydrogen/ fuel cell upgrade post-delivery

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
We've only owned it for five months. However, the wife puts approximately 100-150 miles per day on the vehicle and it was getting one and half times greater fuel mileage than advertised in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia traffic (which is often near gridlock).

Submitted 2008-11-14 13:10:52


  GUEST

Performance:

4

Exterior:

5

Interior:

4

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
fuel efficiency. It is not what they advertise, however. I get an average of 42mpg. The battery is used much more when you have less gas in the tank. If you have a full tank the batter does not kick in as often

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
The car was supposedly "satellite radio ready". I just found out that it means after paying a premium for this car I still have to install the satellite device. This doesn't mean "satellite ready" to me.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Do not pay a premium for this car. Buy a cheaper car that simply gets good gas mileage.

Submitted 2008-10-25 19:32:11


  GUEST

Performance:

3

Exterior:

2

Interior:

2

Overall:

2
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
The gas mileage, smooth ride, comfortable seats

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Improve the ugly dashboard, provide leather or leatherette seats, make the body stronger!

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
I accidently scraped into the side of a stair while parking the car and it not only caused a dent in the bottom of the trim, it caused the car to go out of alignment and possibly bent the axle! I was only going maybe 3 miles an hour and did not hit hard on the stair...which makes me think these cars are made of something like a weak tin can! For the $27,000 I forked out for it, I would expect it to be a sturdier car! Also, I am only averaging 43-43 miles per gallon...so, it's not really living up to what I bought it for which is 48 miles to the gallon in town. It's still a lot better than regular cars that way, but the saving in fuel costs doesn't make up for the price of these cars. PLus, if the battery ever needs to be replaced, it's $5,000. If I had it to do again, I'd have bought something much less expensive that got reasonable gas mileage. Anywone want to buy a slightly dented Prius? It's only 2 months old with 2300 miles on it...

Submitted 2008-06-10 19:43:29


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Right idea

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Complete overhaul in the looks department. This is one ugly car.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
#1 largest carbon foot print = Hummer H2
#2 largest carbon foot print = Prius

Submitted 2008-06-07 17:57:36


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
I enjoy my new Prius it handles great and is fun to drive. The fuel mileage is wonderful.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
You need to have a manual way of opening the hatch if the battery is dead. I went a way ofr a month the day after I bought my new car, I was advised to disconnect the battery or when I got home it would be dead. I shut the trunk and couldn't open it when I got home so I had to fold down the back seat and climb into the trunk so I could hook up the battery to open the hatch.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
I would advise anyone to buy a Prius if they asked me how I like my car.

Submitted 2008-06-03 12:41:42


  GUEST

Performance:

4

Exterior:

4

Interior:

4

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
comfortable front seats, visibility, engine quietness, power at hwy speeds, mileage, steering, ease of entrance & exit

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
telescopic wheel, electric front seats, automatic door locks, one touch passenger window, a little softer ride

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Fun to drive, great hwy traveler, good passing speeds, very comfortable front seats. Don't let it fool you - a great car! Excellent transmission

Submitted 2008-06-03 12:41:04


  GUEST

Performance:

4

Exterior:

4

Interior:

4

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
comfortable front seats, visibility, engine quietness, power at hwy speeds, mileage, steering, ease of entrance & exit

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
telescopic wheel, electric front seats, automatic door locks, one touch passenger window, a little softer ride

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Fun to drive, great hwy traveler, good passing speeds, very comfortable front seats. Don't let it fool you - a great car!

Submitted 2008-06-02 08:32:22


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
not so cheap, fast, and good! I know, your're only supposed to get two, so fast and good, though obviously it's the gas mileage that's important. 40+ MPG for me, and surprisingly my best mileage at 44 were on two trips from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara on Highway 101, and I wasn't exactly going 65 mph, more like 70+ most of the way.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
more electic voltage! go plug in, add another mini battery, get less gas use that way, and perhaps even faster speed with more electric power torque.

Submitted 2008-05-27 05:58:16


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
gas mileage, roomy

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
regular controls instead of touch screen

Submitted 2008-05-26 07:37:34


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

4

Interior:

4

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
The great MPG we are now averaging 54 MPG The car is very comfortable to drive in the city as well as on the highway cross-country.
The car has a great pick-up to enter highways.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Interior materials should be of a higher quality so the finishes on the plastic does not scratch so easliy. I would also improve the exterior paint surface to be harder to repel road hazard (small stones) damage from driving.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
Overall a great car. We have driven it to the west coast and back from Chicago during the winter and the car preformed very well. The average MPG for the trip was 50. We found that the ideal speed for the car was 55 MPH on flat land we were able to get 58 MPG.

When using the heater the milage drops to about 46 MPG. We have not noticed that drop in MPG when the A/C is on. Our car does better on the highway than in the city. In the city we are getting about 48 MPG. I'm not complaining. We are still saving $$$$$$ over all. We are very happy.

Submitted 2008-05-21 11:40:58


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
handling, gadgets, gas milage

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
rear view visibility, ip address to download playlists, ability to use nav system while running (spouse can set it while I drive!), side body mouldings

Submitted 2008-05-14 11:17:13


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Gas mileage.Plenty of head room.Very peppy.

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Front seats need more positions.Upholstery low grade.Tinted windshield should be standard.Sun glare is very high.

Submitted 2008-05-13 20:43:40


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
MPG!!!

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
putting a cover on the screen to protect from sun light

Submitted 2008-05-11 06:25:45


 dgtippery

 

Performance:

5

Exterior:

5

Interior:

5

Overall:

5
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Everything. Great gas mileage. Carring capasity

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
Daylight running lights. Automatic door locks.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
A great all around car.Great in the city and highway.

Submitted 2008-05-05 08:20:13


  GUEST

Performance:

4

Exterior:

5

Interior:

3

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
Mileage

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
More comfortable seats with more adjustments & steering wheel is a little low

Submitted 2008-04-27 21:43:25


  GUEST

Performance:

5

Exterior:

4

Interior:

3

Overall:

4
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor

Pros: What do you like about 2008 Toyota Prius?
I have been driving my Prius for about 18 months and I love the gas mileage - though it is better during summer months. I find that now I can actually control the mileage just by adjusting my driving habits. I love the back up camera and the in dash display screen

Cons: How would you improve 2008 Toyota Prius?
3 big improvements are necessary. 1.The interior is very plastically and the cloth interior already appears worn and shows water spots on arm rests. 2.there is no bumper protector for the rear hatch and therefore many scratches due to luggage scraping the bumper. 3.when my car battery went dead, we could not even open the hatch to get to the battery terminal - there needs to be a manual key lock on the hatch for this purpose- the fact that we had to charge the car with a small battery charger first just to open the hatch, was an added burden and frustration.

2008 Toyota Prius Review:
drivability and dependability are perfect. However, I am very disappointed in the quality of the interior. I am very meticulous with my car, my Sienna, looked almost new after 7 years. In 18 months, my arm rests in the Prius look terrible.

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2008 Toyota Model Lineup:

2008 4Runner 2008 Avalon 2008 Camry 2008 Camry Hybrid 2008 Camry Solara
2008 Corolla 2008 FJ Cruiser 2008 Highlander 2008 Highlander Hybrid 2008 Land Cruiser
2008 Matrix 2008 Prius 2008 RAV4 2008 Sequoia 2008 Sienna
2008 Tacoma 2008 Tundra 2008 Yaris

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