Worldwide, Prius sales climbed from 125,700 in 2004 to 404,200 in 2009. It was offered in only one body style, then – a four-door hatchback with seating for five. The second generation Prius with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive was more fuel efficient than the first, with even cleaner tailpipe emissions. In 2006, Prius got a mild facelift with a revised grille and new taillights. A new third generation Prius went on sale as a 2010 model.
Consumer Reports rates Prius reliability as much better than average. In fact, in making the 2007 Prius a “Recommended” pick, the magazine said “reliability is outstanding.” The 2004-09 Prius was consistently the most fuel efficient vehicle sold in Canada. The International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave all second generation Prius models its best rating of “good” in front impact crash tests. Prius was voted North American Car of the Year in 2004 and European Car of the Year in 2005. In 2007, the Swiss government named Prius the world’s greenest car, and it was J.D. Power & Associates’ Most Dependable Compact Car in 2008 and 2009.
Although they sold well in Canada, the used car market is not flooded with second gen Prius models, indicating that happy owners keep these cars for a long time. Perhaps the best bet when shopping for a Prius of this vintage is to buy one from a dealership which offers the peace of mind of Toyota Canada’s Certified Used Hybrid program. You get 12-month/ 20,000 km powertrain coverage, the balance of the 8-year/ 160,000 km hybrid components warranty, 12 months of roadside assistance, a 134-point Quality Assurance Inspection and a CarProof vehicle history report.
2004-2009 Toyota Prius| By Glen Woodcock
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