As the first-ever hybrid car to be sold to the public, the Prius
will forever be a jewel of Toyota's vehicle lineup. The 2014 Prius is known for its record-breaking fuel efficiency, roomy cargo area, and hatchback body style—but issues with its brakes and uncomfortable seating may have you second-guessing whether you should purchase one. Toyota’s
Prius was a pioneer in the green car
market and continues to crack the top ten list of best-selling hybrids more than two decades after its inception. And while the success of the Prius has spawned many imitators that also serve as competitors, older Prius models—like the 2014—still command a high resale value. If you’re wondering whether the 2014 Prius is a good choice for your next car, car insurance
super app Jerry
has all the info. Here, we’ll talk about the 2014 Prius specs, benefits, and drawbacks of this model year. Plus we’ll go over whether it’s better to buy new or used, and how you can save money
when you insure your Prius. 4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
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Is the 2014 Prius worth it?
The Prius XW30—the hybrid's third generation, is known for being one of the most dependable midsized vehicles around, with a five out of five rating from J.D. Power
. With 7 airbags, it also performs well in the safety category—scoring a 4 out of 5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s also worth mentioning that the 2014 Prius has a very low depreciation rate, which contributes to the prices they command on the used market. With all of this in mind, should you buy a 2014 Prius?
Cost
Among the benefits of Prius ownership is affordability. In fact, the sticker price for a 2022 model starts at $25,650. And considering that if you decide to sell it down the road, you’ll likely be able to command a higher selling price than other used vehicles of similar age.
Here’s how Kelley Blue Book’s predicted fair market range compares for each trim level of the 2014 Prius:
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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 Based on the data, you could potentially purchase the highest trim level of the 2014 Prius for less than $10,000 of what you’d pay for it brand new.
Specs and performance
The 2014 model debuted at the tail end of Prius’ third generation, the XW30 series. The XW30s featured a redesigned body style that proved to be more aerodynamic and featured a hatchback.
Under the hood, the 2014 Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine and dual electric motors which produce 134 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. While the Prius is certainly not renowned for its speed, you may prefer saving money on gas by driving a hybrid versus speeding on the highway.
Which leads us to the best feature of the 2014 Prius: its fuel economy. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a car that boasts a combined city/highway fuel economy of 50 mpg—which is still a top-tier statistic after over twenty years in production.
Complaints
Compared to earlier model years, the 2014 Prius has received a lot less public complaints from its drivers—but that doesn't mean it’s a flawless car.
The most widespread complaint about the 2014 Prius is its uncomfortable seats. Drivers have reported that if you’re in the thick of a long-distance drive, these hard seats can start to be bothersome.
Another common complaint has to do with the 2014 Prius infotainment system. Malfunctions regarding the radio and BlueTooth capability shutting off at random are understandably frustrating to Prius owners. Installation of a new infotainment unit can cost $900 or more.
Although these complaints have more to do with interior features rather than mechanical components, it’s still worrisome for potential 2014 Prius buyers.
The bottom line: proceed with caution
All things considered, if you’re deadset on buying a used Prius, the 2014 model is a solid choice. That being said, if you have the funds, you might want to consider buying a new Prius. When you buy new, you’ll have the advantage of being protected by a warranty if your infotainment system goes awry.
Is it better to buy a used Prius or a new Prius?
When it comes to buying new versus used, it’s usually a battle between cost versus functionality.
Buying a new Prius will offer you the perks of having a warranty, the latest design and tech features, and not having to worry about the mileage on the odometer. As long as you are comfortable with taking on a car loan, looking into the 2022 Prius might be worth your while.
On the other hand, buying used can work toward your advantage. Not only will you be paying less and possibly paying in full upfront,but it’s also likely that you’ll find a 2014 Prius in good condition that fits your price point because of how well they hold their value.
MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car
Pros and cons of owning a Prius
Pros
If you’re looking for quality in your next used car, the Prius 2014 offers a level of efficiency and practicality that has ranked it as one of the most reliable vehicles to buy regardless of whether you sit behind the wheel of a new or used version.
Cons
As many hybrid drivers will attest: the Prius lacks power. While it definitely makes up for this con with other assets, drivers may come to realize that a vehicle lacking a get-up-and-go zippiness they didn’t even know they needed is a major shortcoming with the 2014 Prius—and hybrid cars in general.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
How to find the best Prius insurance
If you decide to make the 2014 Prius your next car, you’ll want to keep it protected with a car insurance policy that suits your needs without straining your finances. If you want to find the lowest-priced policies but don’t know where to start, download Jerry
. There’s a good reason why Jerry is the #1 rated insurance app—it’s so easy to use! Just enter a bit of information about you and your Prius and in less than a minute you’ll be browsing a customized list of the best quotes from top insurers in the country.
On average, people who use Jerry save over $800 a year on their annual coverage.
“I have been with the same insurance provider for over 10 years. Jerry
found me a new policy with Travelers that is $107/month cheaper. The pandemic has made finances tight, but Jerry helped me out.” —Gabriel T.
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