What is the price of a Toyota Prius today? What about the Toyota Prius c? Are they worth it?

What is the price of a Toyota Prius today? What about the Toyota Prius c? Are they worth it?

There was a blessed time between 2011 and 2013 when import and excise duties were completely waived for fully imported hybrid model with engine capacities below 2000 cc. That’s when the made-in-Japan Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda CR-Z were introduced on our shores.

This rate was much better than the exemption of 2009 and 2010, where the import duties were exempted but only half the excise duties were exempted.

What’s the price of a used Toyota Prius today?

When it was launched in 2013, the third-generation Toyota Prius was priced between RM139k and RM145k, while the Toyota Prius c was priced at a mouth-watering RM97k.

A quick look at used car prices shows that Toyota Priuses of that time are worth anywhere from RM30k to RM40k, and the top specced one will even have 7 airbags, with tons of interior space. A similarly priced Toyota Corolla Altis from this time only has 2 airbags, and it comes sans electronic stability.

Is a used Toyota Prius reliable?

Looking around, you’ll see that these cars are still running around the roads of Malaysia. In fact, taxi companies in countries like Singapore and Thailand often use Toyota hybrids in their fleet. The lives they lead inevitably means very high mileage, and the weather conditions are almost exactly like ours.

The uncertainty around hybrid drivetrains is understandable, but certainly these companies would have done their due diligence to run a profit. The logical conclusion? Toyota hybrids are more economical than the average consumer believes.

Electrified powertrains are fast becoming the norm – just look at all the German carmakers pushing them out now. As more and more cars have these newer tech, so too will the number of independent technicians increase, which of course is great for consumers. Fixing a hybrid is not overly complicated, especially if the right person is on the job.

Of course, having said that, it is a used car and so due diligence on the part of the buyer is still paramount. Toyota offered an 8 year/unlimited mileage warranty for their hybrid battery, but this is subject to the previous owner’s compliance to the terms and conditions. Hence, if the Toyota Prius is still under warranty, bring it to an authorized service centre for a full health checkup. This will show the battery’s health, as well as confirm the validity of the warranty.

How much is a replacement battery for the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius c?

The original battery that came with the car has a long service life of 8-10 years, but this is subject to driving habits, of course. A new hybrid battery for the Toyota Prius is around RM7k, while replacing the one in the Toyota Prius C will cost RM5.5k.

There are also independent hybrid specialists around, like Tee & Tee Auto Electrical Services, who will sell you a new battery with 1-year warranty, or you can opt for a refurbished one for much cheaper.

The workshop’s quote is as follows:
Toyota Prius 1.8L : RM5k+ original, RM2.8k refurbished
Toyota Prius c 1.5L : RM4k+ original, RM2.2k refurbished

What about the battery inverter for the Toyota Prius?

Toyota offers a 15-year warranty for its inverter. This means that the inverter will last around the lifetime of two batteries. Replacing one is rare, unless the owner is exceptionally unlucky. Toyota quotes around RM7k for a new one (it used to be much higher, prices have since come down), and Tee & Tee Auto Electrical Services can sell you a refurbished unit for RM2k+.

Let’s conclude

So, having said all that? The real price of a Toyota Prius today, isn’t just the price of the car, and shoppers should also factor in the price of a battery and inverter. If new parts are chosen, then this pushes the actual price of a used Toyota Prius to around RM50k, while the Toyota Prius c will have a price tag somewhere near RM40k.

We aren’t saying you should replace both the moment you get the car, but budgeting it will certainly lessen the financial blow when the they eventually need replacing.

What’s more, you have to consider the fact that both the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius c have excellent fuel consumption, tried-and-true reliability, and safety features that still hold up almost 10 years into the life of the car like stability control and 7 airbags, not to mention a really quirky styling that has aged well.