The Toyota Prius is one of the most popular cars on the market for a few reasons. Some know it for its strange appearance, even calling it one of the ugliest cars ever made. Others believe that everyone who has a Toyota Prius is a notoriously slow driver.

However, the main reason everyone knows about the Toyota Prius is that it was one of the first successful hybrid models. It also has one of the most reliable batteries, especially on models from the second generation. If you were to buy a Toyota Prius today, how long can you expect it to last? Torque News has some answers.

The outstanding reliability and efficiency of the Toyota Prius

According to Consumer Reports, the Toyota Prius has stellar reliability ratings. It’s not uncommon for reliability ratings to go down after a redesign, but the Prius has remained consistently dependable. The Toyota Prius is also backed by a great warranty, either eight years or 100,000 miles for hybrid parts. The battery has a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The Prius has almost no major trouble spots, though the brakes on 2010 or 2011 could potentially have problems. Older Prius models are also prone to have oil consumption problems thanks to a leaking timing cover gasket. The newer models are mostly free of issues, though some drivers of the 2016 model complain that the windshield cracks easily.

The Toyota Prius has a weak engine compared to other EV rivals. Its tiny 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor only make 120 hp and 121 lb-ft of torque combined. It obviously can’t accelerate very well, but critics have said it has surprisingly fun handling.

More importantly, the Toyota Prius gets great gas mileage. The base model with front-wheel drive gets 56 mpg combined city/highway, while AWD models get 49 mpg combined. This is accomplished by innovative battery technology and tweaking the Prius’s exterior to be as aerodynamic as possible.

How long can you drive a Toyota Prius?

With routine service appointments, Toyota Prius owners report that it’s easy to pass 200,000 miles with no major issues. There are even a few Prius owners who still drive their cars with over 300,000 miles on the odometer. Drivers say that a Prius very rarely has problems because the majority of potential issues are so avoidable.

It’s recommended to change the transmission fluid often to protect the inverter, one of the most expensive components. Drivers also recommend parking in the shade and using the A/C as much as possible to prevent battery degradation. 

In general, Toyota has a great reputation for making reliable cars. One Consumer Reports study collected data from drivers and found that both the Camry and Sienna can last over 200,000 miles. The Camry and older versions of the Sienna are also just as reliable as a Prius. The Toyota Tundra was also included on this list and has an unusually high reliability rating by truck standards.

How to make any car last over 200,000 miles

Taking your car to yearly maintenance appointments and regular oil changes can greatly increase its lifespan. Between service appointments, get under the hood once in a while and look at the engine. Use your best judgment – if something looks or sounds amiss, schedule an appointment with a mechanic. Also, stay informed about any recalls that include your vehicle.

The ability to last over 200,000 miles without problems isn’t exclusive to Toyota cars. Plenty of Honda cars also made the list of cars with high odometer estimates, like the Accord and CR-V. Cars with low reliability ratings can still last for many years, but they might need more repairs along with way.