Should You Buy a 2015 Prius?

Top-notch fuel efficiency, reliability, and affordability make the 2015 Prius an awesome investment for anybody who wants an eco-friendly car.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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With terrific fuel economy, all-star reliability, and plenty of legroom for the whole family, a 2015
Toyota Prius
is a fantastic investment.
During the past decade, Prius has earned its position atop the pyramid of hybrid greatness—but there’s more to the Prius than its hybrid powertrain! The 2015 Toyota Prius kicked off the fourth generation of Priuses in style, ushering in the most reliable generation of hybrid cars to date.
If you want a low-cost compact car that offers a smooth and stylish ride, you’re probably dead-set on the Toyota Prius—but which year is best? Insurance
super app
and
policy-shopping
expert
Jerry
will cover all the bases: performance, pros and cons, and most importantly, whether a 2015 Prius is worth the money. 
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Is the 2015 Prius worth it?

It’s tough to go wrong with a brand-new Prius: they’re affordable and easy to maintain, with fuel efficiency that knocks the socks off of gas-powered cars. On top of that, Priuses have the lowest depreciation rate of all
green cars
—so they hold their value beautifully!
But what about buying a used Prius? To help you make an informed choice, here’s an in-depth breakdown of the 2015 model.

Cost

The Prius has always been the perfect car for cost-conscious buyers, with the 2022 model starting at just $25,650. However, used Priuses also retain their value, so you won’t be able to snag one for a super low cost.
According to Kelley Blue Book, this is the range you should expect to pay for your 2015 Prius:
Trim level
Fair market range (dealership)
Typical dealership listing
Private party price
2015 Toyota Prius I
$12,758-$15,941
$14,467
$14,350
2015 Toyota Prius II
$14,394-$17,736
$16,278
$15,962
2015 Toyota Prius III
$14,511-$17,670
$16,023
$15,902
2015 Toyota Prius IV
$14,939-$17,680
$16,685
$15,909
2015 Toyota Prius V
$15,361-$18,149
$16,543
$16,331
2015 Toyota Prius Persona Series
$14,559-$17,651
$16,074
$15,884
 
So, on average, you’ll save about $10,000 if you go for a 2015 Prius instead of a brand-new model—a pretty sweet deal if you ask us!

Specs and performance

We won’t sugarcoat it: the 2015 Prius won’t win you any drag races. With a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces just 134 horsepower, Toyota’s beloved hybrid car crawls to 60 mph in about 10 seconds.
That said, the Prius’ hybrid powertrain delivers power to the wheels with great efficiency. Pair that with the car’s responsive handling and impressive agility, and you’ve got everything you need for a comfortable ride.
Where the Prius really excels, though, is in the department of fuel efficiency. The 2015 model produces an astonishing 50 miles per gallon and boasts a 550-mile range. With stats like that, you’ll be cruising past gas stations without a care in the world.

Complaints

When Prius introduced the fourth generation of models, it vastly improved the reliability of the vehicle. It wasn’t uncommon for third-generation Priuses to
amass thousands of complaints
online. The 2015 Prius is a different story, registering less than 100 complaints with the
NHTSA
and barely over 100 on
CarComplaints.com
While 2015 Prius owners had occasional problems with their ride—in particular, the brakes, electronics, and interior accessories—they were nowherenear as frustrated with their cars as the third-generation drivers.
According to RepairPal
, the average maintenance cost for a 2015 Toyota Prius is $421, which ranks among the top brands in the nation.
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The bottom line: you’ve got the green light!

At the end of the day, the 2015 Prius is an awesome choice for cost-savvy buyers who want an eco-friendly car. With its stellar gas mileage and dependability, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better used hybrid vehicle anywhere in the United States.

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

Though your final purchasing decision will depend on your personal preferences, we can give you some general guidelines! Keep these in mind when you’re choosing between a new or used Prius:
If you want a lower down payment, go for a used Prius. You can get a 2015 Prius in good condition for as little as $13,000—that’s half the price of a brand-new one! A lower starting price means a more manageable downpayment and better financing terms, which is especially helpful if your credit score is below 660.
If you don’t mind a higher price tag, buy new! Sure, you’ll have to pony up an extra ten grand, but the cutting-edge tech and sky-high fuel efficiency in
the recent models
are worth it.
If you want to
build a custom Prius
, new is the way to go. If you’re interested in personalizing your Prius but don’t have tons of extra cash, check out these
quick and easy mods
—you’ll be able to tailor your used Prius to your needs.
Last, if you’re trying to save on fuel costs, you can’t go wrong with either option! A pristine, 2022 Prius gets about 50 mpg combined, which is the exact same as a 2015 Prius. When it comes to fuel efficiency, it’s nearly impossible to go wrong with a Prius, no matter which year you choose.

Pros and cons of owning a Prius

Pros 

The main pros of owning a Prius include affordability, dependability, and fuel efficiency. Since the Prius was introduced to America in 2000, Toyota engineers have been fine-tuning the vehicle, making it one of the most reliable vehicles on the streets today. As icing on the cake,
J.D. Power ranked
the 2015 Prius number three on its list of most dependable compact cars.

Cons 

Two words: styling and speed. If you’re not a fan of the Prius hatchback design, you’ll want to look for a sleeker electric car like the
Honda Insight
. And if a 10-second 0-60 time doesn’t cut it for you, the
Tesla Model 3
is a lightning-fast option with amazing mileage.

How to find the best Prius insurance

If you pair your low-cost Prius with a top-notch insurance policy, you’ll have the perfect recipe for savings. In just 45 seconds, car insurance super app
Jerry
can help you find the lowest rates in the nation.
Best of all, our talented insurance team will help you switch policies, so you don’t have to deal with pushy salesmen or unwanted phone calls! Don’t just take our word for it, though: the average Jerry driver saves over $800 on car insurance.
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