is part of Toyota’s second-generation Prius cars. While this model year has exceptional fuel economy, light problems are consistently reported as an issue across the 2005 Prius owners.

The

Toyota

Prius is the world’s first mass-produced hybrid and has become the industry leader since its first conception in 1997. A majority of Prius owners love the fuel economy that they get from this fuel-sipping car and would buy another Prius when the time comes.

Entering the hybrid vehicle market can be daunting where there are so many options—the Prius alone comes in many generations and trims! The 2005 model is the second rendition of the second-generation Prius, which also sports a larger body compared to the previous generation.

To help you decide if this model year is for you, the

car insurance

super app

Jerry

has put together a guide to the 2005 Prius. Learn more about the car's specs, the benefits and drawbacks of buying a used Prius, and tips on finding savings for your Prius insurance with the

expert help

of Jerry.

Is the 2005 Prius worth it?

The Toyota Prius is top-of-mind when people think of hybrid cars—for good reason! It has the best-in-class fuel economy, futuristic looks, and practicality all in one car, making the Prius a top-selling hybrid hatchback since it was introduced in the US in 2001.

The Prius also holds its value much better than

other green cars

, making even a used Prius a great investment. Let’s find out if the 2005 Prius is worth buying by taking a closer look at the details.

Cost

The Prius is a very affordable hybrid car—even the 2022 model starts at $25,650, allowing this hybrid to be accessible to drivers looking to enter the electric vehicle market. Prius owners will be glad to know that the car can maintain its value, meaning an older 2005 model can fetch a higher price than some newer used cars.

Unfortunately, there is no data on Kelly Blue Book for the current fair market range, and the typical prices that dealerships and private parties would sell them for. Looking at the listings on KBB, a used 2005 Toyota Prius can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000—depending on the condition of the car. In other words, the cost to buy a 2005 Prius can potentially be more than half of the price of buying a new one. If you don’t have a set budget, it may be wise to get the newest model so that you can minimize future repair costs that come with older cars.

Specs and performance

The 2005 Prius was the second model in the hybrid’s second generation. In this generation, the car body bulked up and became a mid-size car. The extra room gave way to adult-size back seats and larger cargo space. The redesign also featured a more futuristic look that stood out from the crowd.

This stylish hybrid is powered by a 1.5L L4 DOHC 16 valves and a 67 hp electric engine,giving a total output of 143 horsepower. While this isn’t anything to tout, the fuel saved makes up for any power it may be lacking.

The 2005 Prius was an incredible combined city/highway fuel economy of 46 mpg.Although this Prius was only offered with one trim option and basic features, people who have purchased it are still satisfied with their purchase—especially with the amount of fuel you can save during a time of soaring gas prices.

Complaints

The 2005 Prius isn’t without its flaws, according to the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

and

CarComplaints.com

. The NHTSA has logged over 1,000 complaints,of which 343 complaints are related to light and engine problems.

The most prominent complaint includes the headlights turning off suddenly and bulbs frequently burning out before their time. If these issues persist, it can cost Prius owners over $1,000 to fix annually, which would negate the savings from the low fuel consumption.

The bottom line: proceed with caution

Getting a Prius can be a great investment, considering the increasing gas prices. However, the frequent light problems associated with the 2005 Prius could increase your overall ownership costs even if the car has amazing fuel economy. While a used Prius can be a fantastic investment, the engine problems associated with the 2005 Prius make it a risky buy. If you're adamant about getting a used Prius, look for newer models, such as the 2017 or 2018 Prius.

MORE:

Which Prius is best?

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

Is it better to buy a used Prius or a new Prius?

Choosing between a new or used Prius will depend on several factors, including cost, customizability, and efficiency. The choice will depend on your personal preference and priorities.

If you want to minimize upfront costs, a used Prius would be the better choice. Used 2005 Prius that are still in good condition can be found for as low as $5,000—which is a major discount from a brand-new Prius, which starts at $25,000.

If you set aside a large budget, consider buying a new Prius. While the 2005 models still have amazing fuel efficiency, they may feel dated with the styling and lack of modern tech features such as the Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 tech.

If you want a

customized Prius

, you will have more integrated options from buying a new Prius. However, if that exceeds your budget, you can still get it used and add your touch with

cheap and easy mods

If you’re only concerned with minimizing your fuel costs, getting a new or used Prius will be great. The 2022 Prius has a combined/city/highway mpg of 50/52/48 for the base model. While the numbers are impressive, it’s not significantly better than the 2005 Prius.

MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

Pros and cons of owning a Prius

Pros

The advantage of getting a Prius is its fuel economy, reliability, and affordability. It ranks high among the most reliable vehicles to buy with favorable ratings for new and used models.

J.D. Power

also awarded the 2005 Prius the Highest Quality compact vehicles award—further solidifying that this is a reliable model year.

Cons

While the 2005 Prius has many improvements from the previous generation, including its size, style, and engine power, it can still fall short for some. The size may not meet the needs of larger families. The styling of the car may have been chic for its time, but has also become dated compared to the current model year. Finally, the speed may frustrate speedy drivers when driving on the highway, making the Prius not the best choice for them.

MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

How to find the best Prius insurance

Regardless of which Prius you are or will be driving, getting the right coverage is important to protect your hybrid car. This is especially important when repairs can be more costly. By using the licensed broker and comparison super app,

Jerry

, you can find the perfect policy that fits your budget in under a minute!

Just pick the policy you want and Jerry will handle the rest. You won’t need to fill in never-ending forms, deal with long phone calls, or wait on hold forever. Download the app so you can have annual savings of over $800!

“
Jerry
found me useful quotes immediately, so I switched over my insurance in under an hour! I’m now helping my parents use Jerry because they just bought a new car.” —Brindi J.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry