Hybrid vehicles are everywhere in 2022. Almost every automaker has at least one hybrid option in their fleet, and you can’t drive down a busy road without passing an EV or two. But the word “hybrid” is still most commonly associated with

Toyota

, thanks to the Pruis—the best-selling hybrid car in the U.S.

If you’re shopping for a used car and considering a 2006 Toyota Prius, you’re probably trying to figure out whether or not it’s worth the investment. To save you time and endless Google searches,

top-rated

broker app and

car insurance

expert

Jerry

has created this guide to the 2006 Toyota Prius. We’ll give you a rundown of important specs, talk about the pros and cons of buying used, and give you tips on how to save money on your car insurance.

Is the 2006 Prius worth it?

The Toyota Prius has been a popular pick with car buyers since it was introduced in 2001. It’s not hard to see why—between best-in-class fuel economy, high reliability ratings, and charming style, owning one of these hybrid hatchbacks doesn’t come with many downsides.

It also boasts the lowest depreciation rate of all the

green vehicles

currently on the market, so it’s a great choice for a used car. But is the 2006 model year worth buying? Let’s find out.

Cost

Perhaps one of Prius’ best selling points is affordability. Even a brand new 2022 model can be purchased for the modest starting price of $25,650. But because the Prius retains value so well, the 2006 model might cost more than some other used cars from similar model years.

There’s only one trim level for this year, so let’s see how Kelley Blue Book predicts the pricing range of the 2006 Toyota Prius:

Fair market range (dealership)	Typical dealership listing	Average private party sale
$5,018 to $7,245	$6,632	$6,132

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This means that the cost of buying a 2006 model works out to be a little more than one-quarter of the price of a brand new Toyota Prius. If you’re on a limited budget, those savings can get you a great car at a price you can afford—but if you have the option of buying a new Prius, buying the latest model may have more value.

Specs and performance

The 2006 model year is a second-generation Prius and was one of the first models to resemble the modern Prius. It has a high midpoint with sloping sides, giving it the “triangle silhouette” that makes Prius so recognizable. According to Toyota, this design improves aerodynamics and helps maintain its generous fuel economy.

A 1.5-liter four-cylinder inline engine with 110 horsepower takes the 2006 Prius from 0 to 60 mph in about 10 seconds. It’s certainly not going to win any speed contests, but it offers more than enough power for a practical daily driver.

One big perk of the 2006 Prius is its low emissions. It produces almost no pollution and is one of the most eco-friendly vehicles out there. It also has decent safety features for a car that’s more than a decade old, including advanced airbags, a tire-pressure monitor, and an optional rear back-up camera.

Complaints

No car can be perfect, so it’s a good idea to be aware of some common problems with the 2006 Toyota Prius before you buy one. According to customer complaints gathered by the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

and

CarComplaints.com

, the biggest issue with the 2006 model year is a problem with the headlights. Some buyers have also reported excessive oil consumption.

Hundreds of drivers reported their headlights going out without warning, leading to dangerous nighttime driving conditions or being pulled over by law enforcement. The second most common complaint is how quickly the Prius burns through oil, with many drivers citing the need for more frequent oil changes.

While extra oil changes or getting your headlights repaired might rack up expenses, those costs could be offset by the money you’ll save on gas, thanks to the Prius’ excellent fuel efficiency.

The bottom line: the 2006 Prius is a good investment, with some issues

A used Prius can be a great investment, and the 2006 model year is one of your better options. It has a few issues that may cost you, but it still has fewer complaints than the 2007, 2008, or 2010 model years. If you want to lower your risk even more, look into a 2014 Prius—it has less complaints than any other model year from pre-2015.

MORE:

Which Prius is best?

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

If you’re deciding between buying a new Toyota Prius and a used one, you’re probably looking at things like cost, fuel efficiency, and safety—but the final decision comes down to what your priorities are.

If you’re on a tight budget, then buying used is your best option. You can find a used 2006 Prius in good condition for as little as $5,000—a fraction of the cost of a brand-new model. But if you can afford the higher costs associated with buying a new car, then a 2022 model may have more value. Although the 2006 Prius has some decent features, it’s still a 16-year-old car, and it shows its age when it comes to safety features and tech.

If you want to

customize your car

, you’ll need to look into getting a new Prius. But for those on a budget, there are some

cheap and easy mods

to help you equip your used Prius with some cool new features.

If you’re mainly interested in cutting down on fuel costs, you can choose to buy used or new based on your other preferences. A new 2022 Prius gets about 50 miles per gallon of combined city and highway driving—which isn’t that much more than the 2006 Prius’ 46 miles per gallon. Buying used means you get similar fuel economy for a much cheaper cost.

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

Pros and cons of owning a Prius

Pros

Owning a Prius has some major perks. The Prius is one of the most reliable vehicles you can buy, earning a solid 86/100 rating from

J.D. Power

. Its hybrid engine will also save you money on fuel, with the 2006 model year getting up to 48 mpg of city driving and 45 mpg of highway driving, according to the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Cons

The Toyota Prius has a few shortcomings when it comes to style and speed—but whether these are deal-breakers to you just depends on your preferences. If you like the Prius’ cute and curvy body style—like many people do—then it shouldn’t hold you back from driving away in one of these hybrid hatchbacks.

When it comes to speed, it takes the Prius about 10 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Anyone who considers speed a priority would be better suited for a quicker hybrid like the

Honda Insight

or the

Volvo S60

MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

How to find the best Prius insurance

Not only does driving a Prius save you money on gas, it can save you money on

car insurance

if you shop for coverage with

Jerry

. In less than a minute, the Jerry app gets you the lowest rates from top-rated insurance companies.

Browse coverage options and prices without the hassle of long forms and sales calls. Just tap the policy you want, and Jerry takes care of the rest. And the savings keep coming even after Jerry finds you great insurance at the lowest price. Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price.

“When we added a new car to our family, we were shocked at how high our current insurer was going to hike our rates. We used
Jerry
for some comparison shopping and are now saving around $1000 a year. Thank you, Jerry!” —Darius P.

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