2008 Toyota Prius Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$20,950 to $23,220

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.6

avg user rating

(42 reviews)
2008 Toyota Prius Preview summaryImage

Not much changed for arguably the most fuel efficient hybrid on the market in 2008. The Prius comes in three trims and features a 1.5-liter, 110-hp gas-electric hybrid engine. All three trims have a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Gas mileage comes out to a very high 48 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway (unlike standard cars, hybrids often get better mileage in the city than on the highway). The new Prius also produces nearly 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. The Prius liftback has 4 doors, seats 5, and offers standard air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a CD player, ABS brakes, traction control, push-button start, keyless entry, and a multi-function LCD display that includes fuel-consumption details and helps drivers learn to optimize their driving for fuel efficiency. Options include stability control, a navigation system, and leather seats.

Overall, drivers like the Prius's excellent fuel economy, good control, futuristic design, and ample interior room. On the other hand, despite the high-tech hybrid engine, most drivers wouldn't mind having a little more than 110 horsepower. Despite its limitations, look for the Toyota Prius to maintain its popularity as more and more drivers look to go green.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2008 Toyota Prius

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User rating:
by Luis Alberto T
Oct 31, 2024
My 2008 Toyota Prius, Barcelona Red saved my life as I traveled through over 43 states. Go Red Baron, Ill never forget.Oct 31, 2024
by Aubree C
Sep 24, 2023
We have now had two 2008 Toyota Prius vehicles. The first one went to 385,000 mi! It’s not uncommon for them to go over 300,000. It’s a great vehicle and ultra reliable if you just keep up on the oil changes and give it oil when it gets up there in mileage. Highly recommend! Sep 24, 2023
by Michael T
Jun 30, 2023
Amazing MPG’s, freezing AC, and over all a vehicle I can depend upon. Jun 30, 2023

2008 Toyota Prius Pricing

Original MSRP
$20,950 to $23,220
Price range
$5,812 to $6,348
Average price on CG
$5,818
YoY price change
$6,348 to $5,818

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear

Convenience Features

Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 4

Engine

Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 295 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 76 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4200

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 9

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear

Convenience Features

Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 4

Engine

Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 295 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 76 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4200

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 4

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 295 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 76 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4200

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: HID

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated driver mirror

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent

See all trims (3)