I am looking to buy a used Toyota Prius, but someone told me I would have to get a new battery at 100,000 miles and the cost is $3,000 to $5,000 miles. Is that true? Also, how comfortable are the seats for long trips?
This concern has been around since gasoline/electric hybrid technology started making headlines in the late 1990s thanks to new hybrids like the 2000 Honda Insight and 2001 Toyota Prius. Hybrids have large, high-voltage batteries that come with a hefty price tag. However, even after almost 10 years on the road, we still don’t have a firm grasp on the batteries’ life expectancy, though Toyota says its battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, hybrid component warranties — which includes coverage of the battery — usually last for eight years or 80,000 to 100,000 miles and should cover any premature failure, at least up to that point. See our list of hybrid warranties here.
Cars.com Senior Editor Joe Wiesenfelder has been covering the auto industry through the hybrid boom, and he says it bears noting that almost all hybrid models have been above average in terms of reliability, and some have been excellent. So the question of long-term cost of ownership must be answered with that – not just the battery replacement cost (whatever it might be) – factored in.
Theoretically, even if you have to shell out a good chunk of change for a battery, your overall maintenance costs may even out when compared to a non-hybrid because of the hybrid’s lower cost of ownership. And as technology improves, we should see the cost of replacement batteries drop.
As for the Prius’ comfort on long hauls, Wiesenfelder says it can be done, but the seats aren’t the Prius’ strongest suit and you may be better off with the Camry Hybrid.
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Why doesnt anyone ever mention the REAL cost of ownership of Hybrids? If you compare a prius with other like vehicles, mid sized sedans and do an apples to apples comparison, they just dont make sense. Look at the up front cost of a prius vs that of say a ford focus and the differences in mpg. If someone wants to drive 20,000 miles a yr, they will have to do so for 12 years before just breaking even on the prius due to its up front premium in the sticker price. Is this not worth mentioning or is it just convenient for people to look past?
Adam, that's a fairly well know fact and no one is trying to hide it. We mention exactly that in a post where a reader asked if a hybrid was right for a given commute: http://ask.cars.com/2008/02/hybrid-commute.html
Why do more and more people want a hybrid car if the are so ugly. the modles are the worst ever
I dont understand why people are trying to stop people from using gas cars when more and more people are bying them. Hello it is all common sense people dont like hybrid cars they the the worst car ever made.
Justin,
From my experience as a mechanical engineer and fluid courses I've taken, the prius design has a very low drag. I think most fuel efficient cars we will be seeing in the future will have the rounded look with a sloping back. The cars that are just cut off on the back create a vacuum of sorts and a lot of turbulence. Turbulence is wasted energy basically. The front design is a pretty basic concept of "cutting through the air". It's just like when you put your hand out the window holding it flat, then you turn it and it becomes a sail.
As for the cost, it's new technology. The first gasoline cars were at a premium price also compared to the status quo. Of course the change here isn't as drastic as a horse to a automobile, but in time I think you will see a more substantial cost savings and attention to aesthetics.
As I see it, the gasoline-only hybrid cars are just a transitioning phase to going to a plug-in to an all electric car. There just hasn't been the time put into the development of electric cars like there has been with gasoline cars. Power can be generated and transmitted much more efficiently than a gasoline engine can produce the equivalent power. This is yet one more reason electric cars will be a viable solution in the near future.
Please answer the question. If you don't know, say so. Thanks.
Hi i do agree with Justin that drag is very critical, however with modern day car they all designed to be aerodynamic, to lower the drag force and increase full effiency.
The uglyness of the to increase full effeincy is minimal, but when Mpg Sells u try to maximize it with uglyness.
I think toyota and honda should focus on battteries that last longer, more voltage, safer, and that have a plug in version.
Go with the pruis that will have a plug in version, so you know for sure you will save money!!!
I purchased a Honda Insight in 2000. At the time is was about $5000 more than the Honda Civic (non-hybrid). When I did the math it was obvious that I would have to drive the car for at least 5 years to make up the $5000 difference. And the Civic has a back seat which is the critism I hear most - that the Insight is too small. Well after 8 years of driving this thing I'm still on the original battery pack and my mileage is still about 58mpg (most recent tank). I believe this must be the lowest cost of ownership vehicle on the road. In addition, I believe there is no car with lower tail pipe emissions, so overall it has a very small footprint both in terms of consumption and the raw materials used to build it. And if anyone has any doubts - it is very fast.
All that being said... if you are in the market for a "green" car, I believe things may change very rapidly if the folks at Zenn Motors deliver on their new battery technology. They claim to get 250 miles on a charge that takes only 5 minutes. This will change the automotive world as we know it. I used to have an electric car and they are great for short trips. I went an entire year without stopping at a gas station! If Zenn delivers the goods this will change everything. I hope to convert my Honda Insight over to the Zennergy Drive system when/if it arrives.
Best Wishes.
You know that saying; don't knock it till you try it!
I own a Toyota Prius; I love it. I live in Illinois with the snow and ice. The Prius handles very well on the roads. I am looking forward to seeing more hybrids coming on the market. I was driving 65 miles a day to work. I cut my cost of going to work in half; plus I bought reliability too. I waiting on the next Prius to come out with better gas mileage. In the mean time I will enjoy the savings on this one.
Personally, I have been so disappointed in the Prius, Gas mileage is overrated - you have to drive very slow to see any real gains. Don't trust the computer screen, it has been off by at least 15% for me. Overhyped, Overmarketed and low quality parts in one of the worst cars I have ever owned. If I were to do it again, I would buy a plain Honda Civic.
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As for the seat comfort, I've head in other publications that the Camry seats get pretty uncomfortable on long drives.