offers exceptional fuel economy and tons of standard safety features, but issues with windshield cracking and excessive road noise may make you think twice before purchasing this vehicle.

For many drivers today, when you think of a hybrid, you still automatically think of the Prius. Since 1997,

Toyota’s

first mass-produced hybrid vehicle has been a popular choice among motorists looking for a practical, fuel-efficient alternative for over a decade.

Looking for a used 2018 Prius? Here to give you the rundown on this super hybrid is

Jerry

, the leading

super app

that helps save you money on

car insurance

. We’ll look at all the important specs, the pros and cons of buying used, and some money-saving tips on car insurance.

Is the 2018 Prius worth it?

The Toyota Prius is popular for several reasons. Not only does the hybrid hatchback have stellar fuel economy, but it’s affordable and comes standard with many safety and technology features. It’s a cute, practical choice that’s easy to maneuver around town.

The Prius also has a low depreciation rate compared to

other electric cars

, which makes it a great option if you’re in the market for a used hybrid. But is the 2018 Prius worth it? Let’s dive into that model year.

Cost

One major reason why the Prius is a best-seller has to do with its affordability, as the most recent 2022 model starts at $25,650. But since the Prius has such a great resale value, this usually means that used models, such as the 2018 Prius, may cost more compared to other used hybrid vehicles.

Here is Kelley Blue Book’s predicted fair market range for the 2018 Prius’s seven trim levels:

Trim level	Fair market range (dealership)	Typical dealership listing	Private party range
2018 Prius One Hatchback 4D	$21,878-$25,356	$23,565	$23,179
2018 Prius Two Hatchback 4D	$22,276-$25,772	$23,945	$23,559
2018 Prius Two Eco Hatchback 4D	$22,645-$25,982	$24,001	$23,751
2018 Prius Four Hatchback 4D	$24,684-$28,286	$26,042	$25,856
2018 Prius Three Touring Hatchback 4D	$24,672-$28,240	$26,115	$25,815
2018 Prius Three Hatchback 4D	$24,452-$28,045	$26,122	$25,636
2018 Prius Four Touring Hatchback 4D	$26,579-$30,343	$28,441	$27,737

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

Looking at these numbers, you can see that from the 2018 Prius Four Hatchback 4D to the 2018 Prius Four Touring Hatchback 4D, the fair market price can go as high as a brand-new model. If you’re on a budget, you might want to go with the Prius One, though it could be worth it to go from the latest model.

Specs and performance

There were no major changes for the 2018 Prius, as the fully-redesigned fourth Prius generation was introduced two years earlier in 2016. Changes from this year included a new body design, a quieter powertrain, and improved fuel economy—as we’ve grown to expect!

The 2018 Prius comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that generates 121 horsepower. The hybrid hatchback can also go from zero to 60 in 11.4 seconds. Not the fastest car, but most loyal Prius fans probably aren’t looking for max speed.

The major selling point of the 2018 Prius is its outstanding combined city/highway fuel economy of 52 mpg for all trim levels except the Prius Two Eco—which gets a combined fuel economy of 55 mpg. Saving money at the pump, along with standard safety features like a rearview camera, forward collision alert, and pedestrian detection make the 2018 Prius stand out from the crowd.

Complaints

The 2018 Prius has a 5/5 safety rating from the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

, which is great if you’re considering buying this model year. However, that have been a few complaints among customers, and also featured in NHTSA’s report and from

CarComplaints.com

The biggest complaint about the 2018 model is that it tends to have window/windshield issues that create visibility problems. Many Prius owners have complained that their windshields easily crack and spread when hit with even the tiniest pebbles on the road. Other common complaints include issues with the structure, exterior lighting, and service brakes.

The bottom line: proceed with caution

Though a used Prius can be a great buy, the visibility issues associated with the 2018 Prius may cause a financial risk for you if you’re constantly needing to repair your windshield—which won’t be cheap. And when you consider that it’s about the same price as a 2022 model, depending on which trim you prefer, you may be better off purchasing the latest model.

MORE:

Which Prius is best?

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

Whether you want to buy a new or used Prius depends on factors like cost, safety features, and overall efficiency. At the end of the day, it really depends on your individual needs.

If costs are your main concern, buying a used Prius may be your best bet. You can find a 2018 Prius One Hatchback 4D for about $22,000. However, that’s only a few thousand dollars cheaper than a new Prius, which comes in about $25,000. If you really want to save, look at the 2013 or 2014 Priusmodels that run between $10,000 to $13,000.

But if you can afford it, buying the latest Prius model might be the better choice. Though the 2018 model offers plenty of standard safety features, like lane departure alert and adaptive cruise control, it may not compare to the 2022 Prius’s Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 tech. You can also

customize your Prius

if you go with the latest option.

If you’re concerned about fuel economy, purchasing used or new are both great choices. The newest Prius has a combined/city/highway mpg of 50/52/48 rating, except for the base L Eco trim, which goes up to 58 mpg when driving in the city. That’s actually a few notches below what you get with the 2018 Prius, which again, has a 52 combined rating.

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

Pros and cons of owning a Prius

Pros

The Prius has many things going for it, like affordability, fuel efficiency, and reliability. In fact, the Prius has spectacular reliability ratings—it's even been named one of the most reliable vehicles you can buy either new or used.

J.D. Power

gives the 2018 Prius a 86/100 rating and also named it the #1 compact car in its class.

Cons

The drawbacks deal mostly with acceleration and comfort, but these minor issues may have to do more with personal taste. If you’re a taller individual, you might find the hatchback vehicle to be a little on the snug side. And if you’re looking for speedy acceleration, the Prius was not exactly built with performance power in mind.

If you’re looking for a speedier hybrid vehicle, check out the

Honda Insight

MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

How to find the best Prius insurance

Whether you decide to purchase a used or new Prius, make sure to get a car insurance policy worthy of this distinctive hybrid. Thankfully, comparison super app

Jerry

can help you find a brand-new policy in less than one minute!

It’s true: all you have to do is download the Jerry app, answer a few basic questions, and we’ll generate several customized quotes from top insurance providers. Pick a new policy and Jerry’s team of agents will handle the rest—including helping you cancel your old policy.