Repairs are part of car ownership, and just like you have a budget for fuel, you should also have one for maintenance and repairs. However, with reliable models, you typically don’t have to worry about major repairs for the first few years of ownership. Among these reliable models is the Toyota Prius which has the least chance of needing major repairs from the brand’s extensive lineup.

Chances of needing major repairs for the Toyota Prius

According to CarEdge, there’s a 1.16% probability that your Toyota Prius or Toyota Prius Prime will need a major repair within the first year of ownership. Naturally, the longer you own the car, the more likely a major repair will be necessary. As such, by the end of the 10th year, the chances of significant repairs being necessary will have increased to 11.22%.

For context, major repairs cost over $500 in parts and labor costs.

Also notable is the 11.22% probability for the Prius and Prius Prime models is 10.28% better than what you get with competing models.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Tundra, flagged as one of Toyota’s least reliable nameplates by Consumer Reports, has an 18.51% probability of needing major repairs within that first decade.

Average maintenance costs for the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius Prime

CarEdge also provides statistics on average repair and maintenance costs for various models over the years. For the Toyota Prius, this amounts to $4,008, which is $2,756 less than the industry average for other models in its class.

While the Prius Prime likely costs less to drive thanks to the larger battery pack and the 25-mile all-electric driving range, it does have slightly higher maintenance costs. Owners will pay an average of $4,098 over the first 10 years, which is still $2,666 cheaper than the industry average.

For the regular Prius, the costs start at $155 for the first year and increase gradually over time. That said, there seems to be a fairly sharp increase in maintenance costs between years six and seven, from $386 to $533.

There’s also evidence of a similar trend with the Prius Prime, where there’s a $147 cost difference between the sixth and seventh years. However, for the first year, you’ll likely only need to pay $165 in maintenance fees.

2023 Toyota Prius and 2023 Toyota Prius Prime

The Toyota Prius and Prius Prime got a new design for the 2023 model year based on the second-generation TNGA-C platform. It features a lower roofline, wider stance, and larger wheels on some trims.

According to Toyota, the new-generation Prius will come with a 5th-generation hybrid powertrain alongside a 2.0L engine and a new lithium-ion battery. Also, buyers can pick FWD or AWD drivetrains, with the former capable of 194 hp. With that, its 0-60 mph acceleration time is 7.2 seconds.

The AWD variants are slightly more powerful at 196 hp and can make the same 0-60 mph acceleration run in 7.0 seconds. There are three trims, i.e., LE, XLE, and Limited.

The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime offers slightly better fuel economy and performance than the regular Prius, with its hybrid powertrain capable of 220 hp. The electric range has also been increased by more than 50% from the previous generation’s 25 miles thanks to the higher capacity lithium-ion battery behind the rear seat.

Buyers who opt for the Prius Prime instead of the Prius get 0.4 seconds faster acceleration on a 0-60 mph run. As for the trims, they include the SE, XSE, and XSE Premium.

There’s also an optional solar glass roof that will charge the battery throughout the day. However, it’s only available with the Prius Prime’s XSE Premium trim.