The Toyota Prius is a classic for a reason—best-in-class fuel economy, cute styling, and outsize practicality in a small package have all made this hybrid hatchback a bestseller since its introduction in the US in 2001.

It’s also got the lowest depreciation rate of any

green car

, making it an excellent choice for a used hybrid. But is the 2010 Prius worth buying used? Let’s take a closer look at that model year.

Cost

Affordability and its stable value are the Prius’s major selling points which means that a used 2010 Prius will cost more than other used vehicles.

Here’s how Kelley Blue Book’s predicted fair market range for the 2010 Prius trim levels break down:

Trim level	Fair market range (dealership)	Typical dealership listing	Private party range
2010 Toyota Prius I	$7,585–$10,254	$9,342	$6,016-$7,611
2010 Toyota Prius II	$7,570–$10,235	$9,343	$6,004-$7,595
2010 Toyota Prius III	$7,465–$10,098	$9,332	$5,919-$7,492
2010 Toyota Prius IV	$8,174–$10,451	$9,617	$6,216-$7,871
2010 Toyota Prius V	$8,790–$11,891	$10,791	$6,970-$8,821

The bottom line: The cost to buy a 2010 Prius is between half to one-third of the price of buying new.

If your budget is limited, the savings could be essential. However, if you’re able to buy new, it might be worth springing for the latest model.

Specs and performance

The 2010 Prius was the first model in the hybrid’s third generation, and it represented a total redesign featuring:

New body design with improved aerodynamics

Record-shattering fuel efficiency—combined city/highway fuel economy of 50 mpg

1.8-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine and a duo of electric motors, generating a total output of 134 horsepower

Modern safety tech like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, electric-assisted steering, and stability control—plus some models have a backup camera and navigation system

Complaints

Here’s where things get iffy: 2010 was the Prius’s worst model year, according to customer complaints logged by the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

and

CarComplaints.com

2,608 NHTSA complaints and over 3,000 complaints on CarComplaints

Noted for engine problems, brake issues, and headlight failures

Hundreds of reports of excessive oil consumption, in some cases leading to more serious damage

The expenses associated with excess oil consumption—especially if it leads to engine failure—could offset the savings offered by the Prius’s excellent fuel economy.

The bottom line: proceed with caution

While a used Prius can be a fantastic investment, the engine problems associated with the 2010 Prius make it a risky buy.

If you’re in the market for a Prius and don’t want to buy new, you’re better off going with a more recent model, such as the 2014 or 2017 Prius.

MORE:

Which Prius is best?

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

The choice between a new or used Prius depends on a range of factors, including cost, efficiency, and safety. The right choice for you will depend on where your priorities lie.

If you’re most concerned with upfront costs: Buying used is a better bet. You can find a used 2010 Toyota Prius for sale for as little as $6,000—a steal compared to the $25,000 sticker price of a brand-new Prius.

If you can afford the higher price tag: Consider buying a new car. Although 2010 models had the option to add advanced tech like lane-keep assist, any car a decade old can’t hold a candle to the 2022 Prius’s Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 tech.

If you want to

customize your Prius

, buying new is your best option—but if that’s outside your price range, there are plenty of

cheap and easy mods

to help you make your used Prius your own.

If your main goal is cutting down fuel costs, buying new or used are both decent options. The 2022 Prius is EPA rated for a combined/city/highway mpg of 50/52/48, although the base L Eco trim can get up to 58 mpg during city driving. That’s not a lot better than the 2010 Prius, so you’ll pay less for the same efficiency by buying used.