The 2007 Prius is a high-performing car with a low upfront cost, but the recurring engine and light problems may make you think twice about buying this model.

Written by Joshua Levy

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

Is the 2007 Prius worth it?
Is it better to buy a used Prius or a new Prius?
Pros and cons of owning a Prius
How to find the best Prius insurance

The 2007

Prius

features a low cost and fairly high performance, but recurring light issues and common engine problems make the car a bit of a questionable buy.

Toyota’s

Prius has been one of the biggest names in hybrid cars ever since its inception. The hatchback has continuously led the hybrid market in sales—and for good reason! The Prius is reliable, comfortable, and generally affordable.

Of course, every year of Prius has different specs and performance histories, so it’s important to do your research before you settle on a car. Luckily, the car insurance

super app

and broker

Jerry

is here to help you learn everything there is to know about the 2007 Prius. Here, we’ll cover everything from mileage and price to whether it’s worth the investment.

Is the 2007 Prius worth it?

With ample cargo space, unrivaled mileage, and five seats in total, the 2007 Prius is well worth your consideration. While there are some major complaints relating to faulty headlights and excessive oil consumption, the pros generally outweigh the cons.

Plus, the 2007 Prius now sells for around $7,000, which is just a fraction of its original market price! If you can find a car with low mileage that’s in relatively good condition, it’s worth considering.

Cost

Prius seems to pride itself on affordability, and the 2007 Prius has reached the point of an all-around great deal. While the 2007 Prius’ original market price was about $24,000, buyers can now find used models for anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Kelley Blue Book’s predicted fair market range for each of the 2007 Prius’s trim levels:

Trim level	Fair market range (dealership)	Typical dealership listing	Private party
2007 Prius Hatchback 4D I	$5,830-$8,251	$7,505	$7,041
Prius Touring Hatchback 4D	$6,075-$8,600	$7,802	$7,338

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If you buy a used 2007 Prius today, you’ll likely get it for less than one-third of the original cost. Of course, it’s been a while since 2007 and

older cars tend to develop more issues

. If you do decide to get a 2007 model, make sure it’s in good condition and that you have access to its full-service records before you buy.

Specs and performance

Like all Prius, the 2007 Prius features a sizeable interior and high mileage. The 2007 Prius gets about 48 miles per gallon in the city and 45 miles per gallon on the highway. Altogether, that gives the 2007 Prius an overall mileage rating of about 47 miles per gallon.

Mileage aside, the 2007 Prius features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with as much as 110 horsepower. While those aren’t the kind of numbers you’d like to see from a luxury car, it’s more than adequate for a daily commuter that uses half the gas of non-hybrid alternatives. Similarly, the Prius is loaded with a 0-60 acceleration time of about 10.4 seconds.

In short, while the 2007 Prius isn’t winning any races, it outshines nearly all the competition in terms of fuel consumption.

Complaints

You can count on almost any Prius to be comfortable and reliable, but some years are better than others. According to

CarComplaints.com

, the 2007 Prius has a history of poor headlight performance. Many owners complained that the headlights would suddenly turn off or stop working while they were on the road.

While it isn’t an enormous problem, it can lead to serious issues when you’re driving at night. If you do opt for the 2007 Prius, we recommend having the headlights checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. Getting ahead of an issue that you know is common with your car can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

The bottom line: it’s great for daily commuters

The 2007 Prius is a reliable car with low mileage and a comfortable interior. It’s not the best car in the world, but it’s perfect for getting through everyday life, like driving to and from work or picking the kids up from school. So if you’re looking for a cheap way to get around, the 2007 Prius may be for you.

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

Deciding whether you want a new or a used Prius can be a difficult choice, but it gets a lot easier when you break the question down into measurable categories. Here are some of the biggest categories to weigh when choosing between a new or used Prius.

Upfront costs: The Prius is generally known for affordability, but there’s no question that a used model is far cheaper than a new one. Since a new model goes for around $25,000, you can easily find a used model for a fraction of the price.

Performance: Hybrid technology and cars, in general, improve with every year. While an older model is much cheaper upfront, you won’t benefit from the development of infotainment, safety, comfort, and performance features that Toyota has implemented in recent years.

Customization:

While you can always

modify

used cars on your own, people considering a new Prius will also have the opportunity to customize their cars. Opting for higher-lever trims and extra features may ride up the price tag, but it can also transform your driving experience.

Mileage: Although the Prius is improving every year, its mileage isn’t always getting better. While newer models typically have high fuel efficiency, some older models remain competitive in terms of mileage even today.

MORE:

12 best used cars for first-time drivers

Pros and cons of owning a Prius

Pros

Prius is known for comfort, reliability, and affordability, which is why

J.D. Power

named Prius the #1 vehicle in the compact car segment. Since its creation, the Prius has maintained a favorable reputation for its consistency in both performance and price. Even today, the Prius is considered one of the most reliable options for anyone in the market for a commuter vehicle.

Cons

The biggest cons of driving a Prius are the aesthetics and speed. While the Prius isn’t an ugly car, it’s not especially sexy. The flat rear and clunky hood give the car a classic hatchback look, without any of the flare you might expect from premium brands.

It’s also worth noting that the Prius isn’t much of a race car. Its acceleration is relatively slow, even among competitors, and it maxes out at around 110 miles per hour. If you’re looking to zip down a stretch of open road, the Prius isn’t for you. Then again, most drivers don’t need to go much faster than 65 miles an hour.

MORE:

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How to find the best Prius insurance

Whether you go for the 2007 Prius or a newer model, you’ll need the right car insurance coverage before you hit the road. Luckily, finding the lowest available rates on the car insurance you need is faster and easier than ever with

Jerry

A licensed broker, the Jerry app helps users compare personalized quotes from over 50 top providers like Progressive and Nationwide for free. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and review the list of competitive quotes the Jerry app sends straight to your phone.

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