2004 Toyota Prius User Reviews

Pros

Fun car to drive. Surprising acceleration (when it works - see comments). Very good fuel economy.

Cons

Wish it had a seat adjustment for height (I would like to lower the seat a little)

I had a 2004 Prius for 6 months. I had a problem with the accelerator assembly. Toyota tried to fix it 5 times. Had to invoke lemon law. Symtoms: As a accident evasive action I had to change lanes abruptly and accelerate full to flow with the traffic in the left lane. There would be a "Thump" and the acceleration would go the power of "IDLE" speed. This nearly caused two accidents as the car behind me did not see any brake lights but I was effectively braking hard. Once this happened the car would only go a maximum of 37 MPH! Even going downhill the car would brake to maintain 37 MPH! Toyota say the "codes" indicate the accelerator was in an "invalid" position???! I checked all the forums and no one else had ever reported this problem. I will be receiving a new 2005 Prius next week and of course will try "the maneuver" before accepting delivery. It seems to me that this would have come up with many other Prius drivers but since there was no reference in any forum I feel confident that it was truly just a lemon car. Other than this the Prius is my favorite car ever!!!!!!!...read morehide

Pros

Excellent fuel economy; quiet; well mannered; fun to drive; low emissions.

Cons

Panel lighting too dim; blind spot right front. Driver seat needs better thigh support.

I've owned my Prius for almost a year. Toyota's legendary quality and design research show in the new Prius; and I have had no problems with the car. The car is superbly put together, quiet and well mannered. Fuel economy, even though less than EPA, is extraordinary for a car this size.
I love the wedgy-body shape and the unique statement it makes about environmental awareness. Everything in this car was designed to lessen impact on the environment; the plastics are made from vegetable matter and, like the rest of the car, designed to be recycled.
On a 2000 mile road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, in April of 2004, I averaged 52 mpg on the freeway at 62-65 mph. Mileage drops slightly in colder weather, but is still well above any other car its size.
My Prius has the optional vehicle stabilty control system which, I think, improves the general handling of the car as well as providing safety in skidding conditions.
Lots of legroom. I am 6' 2" and can sit in the back seat with my legs crossed with the front seats as far back as they go. I would like
better thigh support for the driver....read morehide

Prius is an interesting car, but not cost effective over a 5 year / 100,000 mile scenario. Compare to Corolla:
MSRP (if you can get it) 20,295 to 13,570 = 6,725
Tax savings at 28 % bracket over remaining 3 years of deduction 840.
Actual fuel use 2083 (100,000 / 48 realistic) verses 2857 (100,000 / 35 experienced) = fuel saving of 774 gallons over 5 years
Insurance 35 less for Prius per 6 months
Results: 6,725 - 840 - 350 = 5,535 not counting interest on loan over 5 years. Divide 5,535 by 774 gallons difference and if gas doesn't average 7.15 a gallon, you have lost money. Add the number of shops that can provide service and availability of parts and I'll stay with the Corolla. There are many reasons to buy a Prius, but I don't think economy is one of them....read morehide

My motorcycle (2004 Honda CBR 600rr) has 25 more horsepower and gets the same gas milage. The only difference is that I do 0-60 in under 4 seconds instead of 10.

this cars gas milage it self is the great part but the navigation system, interior, stereo, and the other extras are just phenominal! this car is definitely great. although they are not making enough for americans.

With Crude oil prices hitting record highs (and gasoline prices right behind), I couldn't have gotten my Prius at a better time. With just over 6,000 miles in the last four months, I am averaging nearly 52MPG.

Having driven this car through every imaginable road condition (including 5,000+ vertical climbs into the Cascade mountains) it has exceeded my every expectation for performance, room, comfort and most especially fuel economy.

Ugly you say? Perhaps... but you might want to reconsider that comment the next time a Prius drives past you while you are forking out more cash at the gas pumps....read morehide

In over 40 years of driving, I've got to objectively say that my 2004 Prius is the most totally satisfying car I've ever driven. "Serene yet exhilarating" is the best way I can describe the Prius. It's eerily quiet when it runs on battery power, yet amazingly quick when the engine kicks in for added power.

After just returning from a 2,500 mile trip to Canada, I can honestly say that the most enjoyable and part of the drive was the Prius. This car is an absolute delight! I talk to it and it answers me! It even TELLS me where to turn and which roads to take. Even the climate control and audio systems can be voice controlled.

My lifetime mileage (13,350 miles) is 52.4 thoroughly enjoyable MPG. My only complaint is the long wait to get the car. Would I buy another one? In a heartbeat! Standard cars seem really old fashioned after driving this "Jetsons" car....read morehide

We bought a 2001 model and found that the very long weird shift knob came in handy. We decided to stick it up are [****] hole's while we drive. This seem to work great until the car one day the transmission flew into reverse and twisted and ripped the [****] out of me. So we got a new model that did not have the long retarded shift knob....read morehide

I got a brand new 2005 toyota corolla, and it was hit exactly one month toy the day. Well to get to the point, I had the Prius as my rent a car. I didn't want to give it back. The car is absolutely amazing. The features this car has is the way of the future. One bad thing though, god forbid something brakes on the car. You might as well just buy a new one. I WISH I HAD IT!...read morehide

I easily get between 47 and 50 MPG combined city and hwy. On the city I get about 55 and on the hwy I get 44. I drive a lot more lead foot on the hwys.....ususally around 75 mph due typically California driving..........okay I'm guilty. What is needed in the manual is to teach people how to drive this thing. I read up regarding a suggestion on another message board that the best way to drive this car is once you get the car to just past the desired speed limit, very briefly take your foot off the accelerator and then very lightly touch the accelerator again. For the first few times look at the monitor that shows you what MPG you are getting. While you lightly tap the accelerator, do so to the point that you are receiving 99 MPG. If you are on a very slight incline, flat or slightly downhill street, you will be pleasantly surprised as to how long you can keep it in 99 MPG mode. If, due to going up a grade you have to step on the gas then obviously do so, but try to get back up to the speed limit or slightly above and then peform the same technique of backing of the accelerator and then lightly tapping on it again. If I want to drive conservatively, I can get as high as 60 mpg in the city and 53 on the highway! Toyota needs to put out a manual on how to drive this thing!...read morehide