A fashionable gadget, a toy for older children, or a practical means of transportation. This car can be perceived in different ways, but the fact remains - the Prius is interesting to a very wide audience. However, for many, the new hatchback is prohibitively expensive. Believe me, the car of the previous, third generation is hardly worse.

Let's face it, with the loudly declared fantastic economy of the Prius - according to the passport data, the third generation model in the combined cycle consumes 3.9 l / 100 km - the real fuel consumption is much higher. We have been operating the Japanese hybrid in Moscow for a long time, where for the same “hundred” run the car needed from 5.5 to 6 liters of gasoline. On the highway, where the gasoline engine not only plows alone almost all the time, but also carries a 45-kilogram high-voltage battery on its shoulders, the flow meter showed 7-7.5 l / 100 km. Twenty years ago, for golf cars with naturally aspirated engines and automatic transmissions, these were almost unattainable figures, but now, in the era of global engine downsizing and the introduction of start-stop systems, cars with traditional power plants have learned to drive no less economically.

Go without turning

I did not just mention the twenty-year period of Prius's presence in the market. Over the years, the technical concept of the car has not changed at all. This is a body with a low aerodynamic drag coefficient and a power unit packed in it, consisting of a high-voltage battery, a gasoline engine, a starter-generator and an electric motor. The performance of this quartet is conducted by an inverter and a planetary gearbox, which allows the car to move forward or backward, as well as maintain the engine speed in optimal modes.

At the same time, keeping faithful to the common idea, each new generation of Prius entered the market with something new. Perhaps the main technical difference between the third generation car (XW30) from its predecessor was the 2ZR-FXE gasoline engine. The tandem of this 1.8-liter (was 1.5 liters) petrol "four" with an electric motor develops 136 hp. Not enough, you say? This, by the way, is 14 "horses" more than the current fourth "Prius". Yes, and not in them, in fact, tsimus, but in an impressive torque that provides vigorous starts and brisk dynamics in the city. However, looking for a hybrid on the secondary, its reliability is no less important than the speed it develops. This is not an idle question, especially since you cannot buy a five-year one from us for less than 650 thousand rubles. They ask so much for right-hand drive models, cars with a left-hand drive are on average 150 thousand rubles more expensive. As you can see, the amounts are decent.

32.6 km - according to passport data, this distance can be covered by a Prius III generation on one liter of gasoline

Legends and reality

On many forums you can find replicas that the Prius' service life is significantly superior to ordinary cars. Yes and no. You cannot argue with the fact that the parts of the hybrid brake system (pads and discs) are subject to minimal wear, because the starter-generator in the recuperation mode performs essential work to slow down the car. The gasoline engine also gets less, since its revolutions do not go out of the optimal zone, and often the movement occurs only due to electric traction. In general, with normal care, timely replacement of oil and filters, internal combustion engines and with a mileage of 300 thousand km is in full health. But whether this motor will survive another hundred thousand without repair is already a question.

The hybrid model Toyota Prius of the next, third in order, incarnation with the in-plant marking "XW30" first officially appeared before a wide audience in early 2009 on the catwalks of the international auto show in Detroit, and in May it went on sale.

The car retained the "cart" of its predecessor, but in other parameters it changed significantly. In the fall of the same year, the Prius Plug-In concept debuted, charging from an outlet, but it did not enter the series until 2011. The "life cycle" of the five-door lasted until 2015, when it was replaced by the legal successor.

The appearance of the "third" Toyota Prius is modern, recognizable and original - the "Toyota" designers succeeded in a car that instantly stands out from the stream of "classmates" (and the version of "Plug-in Hybrid" differs from the "usual hybrid" - a large number of "graceful lines" in the design front of the body). Of course, it is difficult to call the "Japanese" a written handsome man, however, there is a certain elusive attractiveness and balance in its exterior, which is not found in every car.

In the company itself, the “third Prius” is positioned as a representative of the mid-size class, but formally it is a “borderline” model between the “golf” and the “mid-size” classes: it is 4480 mm long, 1745 mm wide, and 1490 high mm. The hybrid has a 2700mm wheelbase and 140mm ground clearance.

The interior of Toyota Prius looks quite ordinary, and only a two-layer display, which can be seen from the "cave" at the very top of the dashboard, and replaces conventional instruments, and a four-spoke multi-steering wheel with a flattened rim at the bottom, add to its originality. On the center console, in turn, "flattened" a 7-inch touchscreen monitor of the multimedia system, a "microclimate" unit with a monochrome "stripe" and a transmission joystick. Inside the five-door, only high-quality finishing materials are used, and the assembly is at an excellent level.

At the front of the Prius's décor, there are comfortable chairs with non-intrusive lateral support, ample adjustment intervals and heating. The back sofa is "friendly" even for three riders, both in terms of layout and in terms of the amount of free space.

The cargo compartment of the third generation Toyota Prius is very spacious by the standards of the class - 445 liters. With the rear seats folded down, its volume increases to 1120 liters, and even an absolutely flat "rookery" is obtained. A full-size spare wheel, an organizer with tools and a traction battery are located underground.

Specifications. The hatchback is driven by a hybrid power plant, the "combined" recoil of which is 136 "stallions". Its "heart" is a 1.8-liter gasoline "four", operating according to the Atkinson cycle, with distributed injection, an exhaust gas recirculation system, a 16-valve timing and variable valve timing, developing 99 "horses" at 5200 rpm and 142 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. The internal combustion engine is assisted by a synchronous electric motor-generator equipped with 82 mares and 207 Nm of torque, a traction 200-volt air-cooled nickel-metal hydride battery and a planetary transmission that connects the engines to the front wheels.

From a standstill to 100 km / h "Prius" is able to accelerate after 10.4 seconds, and the acceleration continues until reaching 180 km / h. In mixed driving mode, the car "eats" no more than 3.9 liters of fuel for every "hundred".

As already noted, in addition to the standard version, the hybrid is also available in a "plug-in" version called "Plug-in Hybrid", equipped with batteries with a capacity of 4.4 kWh (with the possibility of recharging them from a regular household outlet in 1.5 hours), which is clean electricity can cover up to 23 km of track.

The third "release" Toyota Prius is built on a front-wheel drive platform "New MC" with an independent McPherson-type "walker" at the front and a semi-independent architecture with an H-shaped cross member at the rear (stabilizers are applied on both axles). In the body of the car, high-strength steel grades are widely used, and some of its elements are made of Toyota's proprietary TSOP polymer of plant origin.
The Japanese hybrid in the "state" is equipped with a rack and pinion steering complex equipped with an adaptive electric booster. The five-door brakes are disc brakes on all wheels, but with ventilation in the front, supplemented by ABS, EBD and other electronic gadgets.

Options and prices. At the beginning of 2017, in the secondary market of Russia, "Prius" of the third generation can be purchased at a price of 400 thousand rubles, and the cost of the most "fresh" copies exceeds 1.3 million rubles.
In all trim levels, the hatchback has: seven airbags, heated front seats, ESP, ABS, EBD, engine start with a button, dual-zone "climate", an audio system with six speakers, leather interior, full LED optics, four power windows, 15-inch wheels, sensors parking (rear), light and rain and other equipment.

Toyota Prius is a car from a popular brand in the world, characterized by a hybrid engine, reliability and an increased level of comfort. Transport is assembled at the largest factories in China and Japan.

The Prius is economical, almost does not pollute the atmosphere (complies with Euro-5 class), reliable and comfortable. In addition, it has no idle speed, which distinguishes the model from competitors.

Toyota Prius models

Toyota Prius production started in 1997. The main models include:

1. NHW10 is the first generation (Prius-1). This model was only sold in the Japanese car market. Year of release (1997-2000).
2. NHW11 - rebranding of the first generation (Prius-1.1). Sales began in 2000 and lasted for the next three years.
3. NHW20 - second generation (Prius-2). In 2003, a new version of the Toyota Prius appeared on the market, which remained on the assembly line until 2011.
4. ZVW30 is the third generation (Prius-3). The release was launched in 2009.
5. ZVW35 - third generation (Prius-3 PHV) The model entered the assembly line in 2012 and is still being produced today.
6. ZVW40 and ZVW41 - third generation (restyling). Start of production - 2011. The difference between the two options mentioned is the number of seats. In the first case, it is a 7-seater, and in the second - a 5-seater station wagon.
7. 4th generation Toyota Prius - debuted in September 2015. There is still little information about this car, so we will tell you about it a little later.

Features and characteristics

Toyota Prius is a popular "hybrid" in wide circles. As mentioned above, the car was launched in 1997.

1. The first models NHW10 / 11.

It had an electric motor with a power of 30 kW and a battery with a capacity of 6 A * h. The gasoline engine boasted a volume of one and a half liters and a power of 58 hp. The car accelerated to "hundreds" in 15.5 seconds.

The principle of operation of the hybrid is as follows:

1. The gasoline engine works only to charge the battery, and the electric motor is responsible for the movement of the vehicle (sequential operation);
2. Any of the engines (gasoline or electric) is responsible for the movement of the car. This type of control is considered optimal.

2. Second model NHW20.

Be of the second generation. Works on a similar principle. The power unit of the car is called Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive. It consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 76 hp. and an electric motor with a power of 68 hp.

The total capacity is 116 "horses".

The main achievement of the new model is the minimal harmfulness. Combined CO2 emissions were only 104 g / km.

The economy of the car deserves special attention. Average fuel consumption in the city is 8 liters, and when driving on the highway - 5.5 liters.

The new Hybrid Sinergy Drive has the following operating modes:

• The start of movement is made by an electric motor powered by a battery. After gaining speed, the gasoline engine is connected to work, and the electric motor goes into standby mode;
• In the case of active acceleration, the two motor types work together to achieve maximum power;
• The uniform movement is characterized by the active operation of the electric motor. The petrol engine is then switched off. If the battery charge level falls below the permissible level, the computer starts up the motor to replenish the lost capacity.

The Prius II features a richness of electronics such as ABS, VSC and EBD, as well as the presence of an economical electric drive that powers the car's air conditioning.

The body of the car has also changed, which turned from a classic sedan into a hatchback.

Despite the external changes, the transport did not impress the buyers. The manufacturer, when creating the second version, was no longer chasing beauty.

The goal was to make travel as comfortable as possible for the driver and passenger.

The salon is spacious and unique in style. The dashboard is perfectly thought out. In the central part there is an on-board computer LCD monitor.

The diagonal of 14.5 centimeters is enough to see the information on the screen even with poor eyesight.

The main information transmitted by the on-board computer is fuel consumption, power distribution between the battery, wheels and the engine, the remaining fuel and more. Information is updated every five minutes.

3. Prius-3 (ZVW30 / 35).

It appeared in 2009. It was this generation of the car that provided the model with worldwide recognition.

The new car has become longer and wider (by 1.5 and 2.0 centimeters, respectively). As for the length of the wheelbase and the height of the body part, they remained unchanged.

The appearance of the car has also changed. Now the rear and front headlights seem to be united with each other, thanks to the stripes on the sides of the body that are insignificant at first glance, but harmoniously looking.

An important feature for passengers was the shift of the highest point of the body to the central part of the cab. Now, even with an increase of 1.7 meters and above, you can feel comfortable and not be afraid to hit your head. The passenger and driver's seats have become thinner by three centimeters, and there is room for knees.

I changed the position and the gear knob. From the dashboard, where it was previously, the handle was moved to the height of the center console.

Buyers now have the opportunity to choose the wheel diameter - between 15 and 17 inches.

In the third version of the Toyota Prius, small protrusions appeared, providing better control of the vehicle's air flow. In comparison with the second version, the air resistance coefficient decreased by 0.01 (from 0.25 to 0.24).

The power section of the car has also experienced major changes. Instead of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, a 1.8-liter engine with 99 horsepower took over the reins.

The decision to increase the volume of the engine was caused by the desire of the developers to reduce fuel consumption when the car is moving at high speeds.

The total power during operation of the electric and gasoline engine is 136 horsepower. The car accelerates to "hundreds" in 10.4 seconds.

A planetary gearbox appeared in the electric motor, supplemented by a heat recovery system, as well as an oil pump.

Additional modes of operation have been added. So, instead of one "EV Mode", when the car was driven only by electric traction, two more options appeared:

• "Power Mode" - a mode designed for traveling at high speeds;
• “ECO Mode” is an economical option designed for reduced consumption of the fuel mixture.

In normal mode, fuel consumption is on average 4 liters per hundred. With the transition to the eco-version, it drops to 1.75 liters.

4. Restyling Prius-3 (ZVW40 and ZVW41).

In 2011, the world saw a new restyled version of the already beloved third Prius.

The designers did not make changes to the power unit, focusing on the exterior and interior of the car.

Thus, LED sections appeared in the head optics, the air intake opening increased, the interior trim changed (the quality of the material used improved).

A number of devices have changed location on the dashboard. The Japanese paid more attention to soundproofing.

The suspension, which has become stiffer, also experienced structural changes.

The power unit remained unchanged - the same 1.8-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor for 82 "horses".

Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 3.9 liters per “hundred”. In addition, the new model "learned" to ride only on electric traction.

Toyota Prius owner reviews

The best indicator of the quality, reliability and recognition of a car is the reviews of real owners. To keep things fair, below are both positive and negative reviews.

Positive reviews.

1. Victor Semenov, 46 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2008, mileage - 110 thousand kilometers.

“I have been the proud owner of a Toyota Prius for eight years now. During the operation, I did not seriously repair the car.

The main work was changing the oil and filter elements. A year earlier, they bought a Toyota Prius and his son, so he managed to run over 200 thousand kilometers for all the time.

All that was done about the car was changing the oil, candles and filters. There are no complaints about either of the two cars.

After a few kilometers behind the wheel of a car, I don't even want to consider other options.

The machine is economical, pulls well at any speed, and is reliable in operation.

Of the additional options, it is worth noting the rear-view camera, which has already saved you from collisions more than once. "

2. Yuri Skorikov, 47 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2009, mileage - 115 thousand kilometers.

“I bought a car in 2012. During the time that I had the car, I managed to run over 60 thousand kilometers. No complaints about transport.

During operation, I had to make a running diagnosis and change the oil. If there were any problems, they were eliminated personally.

One day the inverter almost burned out. When replacing the battery, the son managed to mix up the polarity, after which an error popped up on the dashboard.

At the service they said that the car is worthy of respect, because the inverter survived and did not burn out.

I believe that the main advantages of the car are reliability, high quality of the engine and chassis, as well as efficiency. "

3. Evgeny Petrenko, 49 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2010 onwards, mileage - 90 thousand kilometers.

“The experience of owning different cars is minimal. Before Toyota Prius, there were only two cars - Honda 2004 and 2006 models.

When choosing a car, I paid attention to the following criteria - efficiency, reliability and maintenance cost.

Friends advised me to buy a Toyota Prius and, as it turned out, not in vain. The car turned out to be easy to drive, economical, and stable on the road. Particularly noteworthy is the design, which did not cause fake envy among others.

I already bought the car from my hands, so many alterations have already been completed.

So, the ground clearance was raised to 20 cm, excellent acoustics with ten speakers were installed, and high-quality was made on the doors. In general, not a car, but a music center on wheels.

During the operation, there are no complaints. The car is economical, unpretentious in operation, there is a spacious trunk ”.

4. Gennady Rastorguev, 38 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 L, automatic transmission, 2007, mileage - 160 thousand kilometers.

“I bought the car in 2012. The year of release of the purchased Toyota Prius is 2007. The car is made in the USA, which only adds "whist".

During the operation, I had to change oils, working fluids and make diagnostics of the main systems (more for complacency).

I drove 95 thousand kilometers for the whole time. The car showed its best side, it was unpretentious and did not break down on the road. This is primarily due to the timely replacement of technical fluids, which I wish you too. Do not forget about filters (they also need to be changed on time).

After 30 thousand kilometers, the candles had to be changed (the engine started).

The real fuel consumption was struck to the core. At a speed of 80-90 kilometers per hour, the car showed a result of 2.8 liters per “hundred”. Starting the engine in cold weather does not cause problems.

The main advantages are reliability, comfort, self-confidence on the road and ease of maintenance.

If you understand the mechanics and electrical parts, then there will be no problems with the car at all. "

Negative reviews.

1. Gennady Ivanov, 35 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2010 release, mileage - 130 thousand kilometers.

“Previously, I preferred only foreign cars, but I wanted to change the car for some kind of hybrid in order to save on fuel. Acquired Toyota Prius in 2010.

At first, there were no complaints about the car, and after each MOT an engine error began to light up. The technicians at the service station explained that the reason was the filling of low-quality fuel, although they tried to pour only expensive fuel.

After a year of operation, fuel consumption jumped - 5.0 to 6.0 liters per "hundred". A year later, the car began to "eat" at all 7.5-8.0 liters.

Recently, the battery failed, and an inscription appeared on the dashboard demanding to check the hybrid system.

When buying, they assured that the power source is eternal, but in practice everything turned out to be not so rosy. The service itself is disgusting - it takes a long time to repair, you wait for parts for months, and the quality leaves much to be desired. "

2. Rodin Osadchiy, 33 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 1998 release, mileage - 330 thousand kilometers.

“The car was reliable and unpretentious for the first three years of operation, but after replacing the battery, constant problems began.

At first, the elements of the power source flew out one by one, then there were problems with the inverter, then with the hybrid installation. In the end, I had to disassemble and sell everything for spare parts. "

3. Diana Ivanova, 26 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 L, automatic transmission, 2008 onwards, mileage - 60 thousand kilometers.

“When buying a car, I thought that I would get high-quality transport that would provide comfortable warmth in winter. It turned out that in Zhiguli it is warmer than in Toyota.

The car's handling is also satisfactory. On a bad road, the car just strives to be carried to the side of the road. I had to sell the car after 2 years of operation. "

4. Nikolay Lunev, 36 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2011 onwards, mileage - 40 thousand kilometers.

“In principle, the car is not bad, but the low ground clearance upset. When traveling to the dacha, I constantly strike the bottom even when the wheel enters into relatively small holes. "

5. Stanislav Gaidashenko, 38 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2009 onwards, mileage - 40 thousand kilometers.

“The main disadvantage for me was the price. I wanted to buy a hybrid, so I had to get into serious debt. It turned out that the car is not that good.

Noise isolation is not enough, the steering wheel is not informative, there is no lever fixation.

If accidentally hit, then you can turn on neutral. The salon is made of cheap plastic, which began to creak almost immediately after the start of operation.

At normal speed (more than "hundreds"), fuel consumption is not so small - almost 7 liters per hundred kilometers.

The battery is discharged quickly. To properly save gasoline, you should stick to a speed of 70 km / h. "

Outcome

Toyota Prius is a reliable, comfortable and economical vehicle. The main thing during operation is to change consumables on time, monitor the condition of the battery and periodically go to diagnostics in order to fix problems at an early stage.

If you do not start malfunctions, then there will be no serious problems in operation. An important point is the quality of the fuel.

Toyota Prius is whimsical to fuel, so it is worth refueling at proven gas stations.

A used Toyota Prius can be viewed from two angles. On the one hand, it is a symbol of ecology, which has turned into an economical spineless car for trips from point A to point B. On the other, it is an interesting and rather original way to reduce fuel costs.

But what do the vast majority of people really need? That the car is reliable, relatively fast, comfortable, safe and uses a minimum of fuel. The third generation Toyota Prius meets all these requirements.

The manufacturer claims that the Prius can get by with 4 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. In fact, moving in such a way as not to annoy others will take about 6 liters. If you avoid driving on the highway, the average consumption in the city will be about 5 liters. Outside the city, where the hybrid drive is already useless, and the engine has to push the car with heavy batteries, the costs will be 7-8 liters.

Practicality is another strong point of the Toyota Prius. There is quite a lot of space inside. But with comfort, things are a little worse. The seats do not hold the body well, and the seat cushions are short. In addition, the steering wheel cannot be properly installed. You have to either sit with your arms fully extended or with your legs bent.

You will also have to get used to the extremely slow heating of the passenger compartment in winter. This is primarily the fault of the engine with high thermal efficiency. The heat energy it emits is simply not enough for such excesses as the comfort of the crew. To save polar bears, you have to sacrifice something.

Even the ergonomics are not exemplary. The head-up head-up display is not as eye-tiring as the digital instrument cluster overloaded with small icons above the center panel. It takes time to get used to it.

Soundproofing and suspension are not bad in the city and at low speeds, but at a higher rate of movement, the tires begin to howl, and the chassis makes itself felt. Resilient beam rear axle reacts boldly to cracked asphalt and wavy surfaces.

Toyota Prius does not require any special driving skills. But if you want to get the most out of the hybrid setup, you have to get the hang of driving a little differently. For example, use inertia to store electrical energy (recuperation). Thus, fuel can be saved. Having got used to guessing how far a hybrid can go without gas, slowing down by inertia, the brakes can only be used in exceptional cases. This is a special kind of entertainment, no less exciting than sideways driving.

While earlier generations of Prius could not fully rely on an electric motor, the third generation of the model could well do without the help of an internal combustion engine. The power reserve is enough for 2-3 km of travel, but at speeds above 50 km / h, the combined mode of the hybrid installation is usually activated.

The electric motor works primarily as an assistant, helping the comparatively heavy vehicle start with dignity. At the crossroads, few people want to stop for a hybrid. But what is the surprise of others when the Prius cheerfully starts at a green traffic light. Unlike some automata, which take ages after releasing the brake pedal before the car starts to move, the Japanese hybrid starts moving instantly. Of course, this is not the most economical way to ride, but you can always accelerate if necessary. Toyota willingly accelerates to somewhere around 150 km / h, but after 130 km / h the acceleration is no longer impressive. On a flat road, a maximum speed of 180 km / h can be reached.

The hybrid propulsion system has three modes of operation. At first, Eco is a rather sluggish response to the gas pedal. And in Power mode, the reactions are too harsh and look like an ON / OFF switch. For normal travel, "standard mode" is better suited. Power may come in handy for overtaking.

The driving modes have no effect on the steering. The reactions are a bit vague, as if signals are being transmitted over wires. There is simply no feedback on the steering wheel. Toyota Prius has a different character from that of classic cars. The driver can never be one with the Japanese hybrid.

At speeds up to 80 km / h, after taking your foot off the gas pedal, the engine is switched off and the process of energy recovery begins. Braking is done by an electric motor, which saves brakes. There is also a transmission braking mode, which is necessary when driving down a steep slope with a loaded car.

Typical problems and malfunctions

Toyota Prius has no fatal defects. And the power drive is very reliable. The 1.8-liter internal combustion engine operates on a modified Atkinson cycle (the intake valve remains open for a while, even when the piston begins to return, thereby effectively simulating a variable-length piston stroke).

Instead of the often problematic CVT with a limited service life, an almost perpetual planetary gear is installed here. She works with an electric motor, which also has no characteristic diseases. But this does not mean that the Toyota Prius is maintenance-free. A gasoline engine, like any other engine, needs regular oil and filter updates. And after 300-400 thousand km, the gasket under the block head may burn out, or the cooling system pump may leak. The EGR valve may shortly fail. It is easily accessible from above and often comes alive after cleaning.

If there are any minor mechanical problems, it is usually due to neglect of regular maintenance. Problems also appear after long periods of parking, during which the battery is completely discharged. This car should not be "idle".

The Toyota Prius has gone through a couple of great reviews. One concerned cars manufactured before January 2010 - there were problems with ABS on broken roads. In February 2014, the second was announced. This time, a hybrid installation required repair. There was a danger of overheating of the inverter transistors, as a result, the car went into a safe mode or completely de-energized. The defect has affected all copies of the Prius and it is quite possible that this problem is still ahead of your car. The cost of a new inverter is from 320,000 rubles, used - from 20,000 rubles.

In winter, the central display sometimes starts to play up, reluctantly reacting to touches. Not too high-quality interior creaks at times, and plastic is easily scratched.

However, the vehicle's reliability is rated above average. Toyota Prius regularly ranks first in satisfaction and reliability ratings.

Many are concerned about the battery life. It is true that in winter, their capacity, and above all, the willingness to move the car on pure electric traction, decreases. But in temperate climates, even after 100,000 km or 5 years of operation (warranty period), there is no significant decrease in battery power. Owners, even after 300,000 km, do not complain about the drop in battery capacity.

The nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery may only need to be replaced after mechanical damage such as an accident. The cost of a new high-voltage battery - from 280,000 rubles, used - from 45,000 rubles.

Maintenance

The oil in the gearbox and differential is designed for life and only needs to be checked for level and condition every 60,000 km. Nevertheless, when operating in difficult conditions, Toyota recommends reducing the inspection interval to 45,000 km, and a complete replacement of working fluids no later than 90,000 km. Frequent trips along the highway at a speed of about 130 km / h should also be attributed to difficult conditions.

You also need to change the coolant. The first time after 150,000 km, and then every 90,000 km. The inverter coolant also needs updating: first after 240,000 km, and then after every 90,000 km.

Conclusion

Toyota Prius of the third generation is an extremely reliable car that, subject to operating conditions and maintenance regulations, will not only be economical, but also durable.

Specifications Toyota Prius III (XW30 / 2009-2016)

Engine type - gasoline;

Working volume - 1798 cm3;

Timing system type - DOHC;

Number of cylinders / valves per cylinder - 4/4;

Diameter / piston stroke - 80.5 mm / 88.3 mm;

Compression ratio - 13: 1;

Maximum power - 100 kW (136 hp);

The highest torque - 207 Nm;

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h - 10.4 sec;

Maximum speed - 180 km / h;

Transmission: type - stepless;

Fuel tank capacity - 45 liters;

Weight: curb / full - 1495 kg / 1805 kg;

Fuel consumption:

Medium / highway / city - 3.9 / 3.7 / 3.9 l / 100 km;

Wheelbase - 2700 mm;

Track: front / back - 1 525/1 520 mm;

Tire size - 195/55 R15;

length × width × height - 4460 × 1745 × 1500 mm.

START. May 2014. My 2010 Outlander V6, which I was generally happy with, passed away in an accident. Due to the large annual mileage (50,000 km), the choice fell on a hybrid, in particular the Prius, for the following reasons: 1. Prius is one of the most reliable cars according to various ratings. It is noteworthy that this is one of the most technically complex cars. 2. Prius - one of the most economical mass-produced cars. In particular, in the city, I fit between 3.7 and 4.2 l / 100 km, and on the highway 3.9 - 4.5. I just drove 800 km in the mountains at a rate of 3.9. On cruise, control basically kept 95 km / h. 3. Prius is versatile enough - a hatchback. 4. Prius is spacious enough - with a height of 186 I can sit "by myself". 5. The Prius is comfortable enough, but certainly not premium. 6. Prius is quite unpretentious in maintenance: brake linings practically do not change, the car does not have a single belt! At the same time, from conversations with taxi drivers, I learned that the batteries in them are not changed, and the cars themselves take care of 800,000 - 1,000,000 km in city driving conditions. 7. According to the ratings, the Prius is also one of the safest cars. 8. Prius is a green enough car. In addition to low fuel consumption, I, in particular, have a solar panel that powers the automatic cooling fan in the heat of the parking lot, so that the car does not overheat and does not waste fuel. While the car I have recently. I can't say that vivid impressions overwhelm me: the purpose of the car is different from a brutal SUV or a sports convertible. I like the design outside, but cheap inside. It's all a matter of taste. But in general, it is quite comfortable, with the amendment that it is not a premium class. Quite a lot of electronics. The trunk is decent for a body of this class. The main takeaway: The Prius is a vehicle that will transport you safely and reliably from point A to point B with minimal fuel consumption. Who cares about it - decide for yourself. Continuation. End of 2014, more than 30 thousand km on the odometer. Advantages: Over time, I stopped "squeezing out the economy" - the speed on the highway was up to 120, more dynamic driving in the city, the fuel consumption increased to 5 l / 100 km. The machine integrates well with text messages on a cell phone, and with the phone in general, good voice navigation support, so some of the work can be done on the go. In hot weather, leave the car in the sun - the solar ventilation system maintains a reasonable temperature inside the cabin. It is interesting that the drive of the stove and the air conditioner is purely electric - the car can stand with the engine off, but it will be warm or cool inside - depending on the temperature set on the air conditioner, the engine will turn on itself from time to time to charge the battery. If I find myself in a city on a green wave with uniform movement without jerks at a speed of up to 70 km / h, it turns out to drive up to 5-7 km practically only on a battery. Once I was climbing uphill with fuel almost at zero, the gasoline pump caught air and the engine stalled - the battery was enough to gain only 30 meters in height, which, in general, was enough to move off the highway and refuel :) (difficult section of the road, rain and night), he advised to turn it off so that the battery would not run out, and I said that my hybrid and the battery would not run out until Friday, he appreciated the joke :) On prolonged descents, when everyone's brakes start to burn, I just smile. In the economy mode, the dynamics is weak, but in the Power mode, the acceleration is very acceptable: somehow I was in a hurry and was distracted by talking on the phone while overtaking uphill, I came to my senses when the speedometer was under 160, I immediately dropped it, of course :) From service I only change the oil to the dealer center. Disadvantages: Spending 2-4 hours a day in the car, the interior begins to seem boring, but there are no complaints about the quality, economy. It's just that everything is somehow too expectedly good. Continuation. May 2015. About 50,000 on the odometer. No breakdowns or malfunctions. It is noticed that the battery works better with warming, and the fuel consumption in general decreases by about 0.5 l / 100 km. In general, measured driving is also a habit, on well-known routes you know how to "stretch" the battery, and the consumption of about 4 l / 100 km, or even lower, is achieved quite regularly. However, the average for the tank is + -4.5, and actually I drive 1,000 + -50 km on a 45 l tank. At the same time, about 40% is a city, and 60% is a highway. Continued: July 2016, over 100,000 km on the odometer. The machine has established itself as versatile and durable. Inside he carried a partially disassembled sofa, a wardrobe, and a dishwasher - in all cases, the tailgate was closed. Once, having passed a turn of the highway, I saw a wooden pallet on the road. I was driving 90 km / h in a stream of cars, it was raining, there was no way to maneuver, there was no way to brake, so I rammed at a speed, leaving the left wheels on the road, and with the right wheels through the pallet deck right through. The car, having broken through the boardwalk of the pallet, flew up with the right side, but stayed on the road and did not receive any damage or changes in toe-in. By the way, the wheels (Continental tires) also survived. After the last service for 100,000 km, the wear of native brake linings is 50%. Apart from regular maintenance, no technical repairs were required for the specified mileage. Continuation: February 2018, on the odometer 180 thousand km The car is not old yet, but the mileage is significant. The first refusals appeared. With minimal operation, the gasket around the sunroof has cracked and partially destroyed; with rather intensive work, it has become corny that the wiper drive has worn out and worn out; and, the most unpleasant thing, fuel consumption began to increase. The latter is still within the limits of tolerance: now I have 5.5 - 6 l / 100 km, but this is still noticeably more than it was up to 100 thousand km. At 170 thousand km. the first time I changed discs and brake pads - this is, as it were, expected. The DISADVANTAGES, which were not critical before, began to draw attention to themselves. 1. The car was taken with one child in the family, now three. There is not enough space for three behind. As we see it now, even with the children in the back seat, this is a car for 4 + 1 people, not 5 people. 2. With a large number of passengers in the back seat, I noticed the lack of ventilation in the armrest of the first row of seats - for passengers in the second row. In the summer, to keep it cool in the back, the temperature on the air conditioner must be greatly underestimated. As a result, it becomes excessively cool in the front row, or even cold, so that it just gets better in the back. CONCLUSION: The machine is a workhorse, economical, reliable, but with a resource limit, not particularly demanding and without pretensions. Filled and drove from A to B with minimal fuel consumption. But if someone prefers speed, increased comfort, emotions - look in another category. Exterior and interior design is a matter of taste. TIP: Anyone looking for a hybrid or electric car - I advise you to inquire about the resource and cost of replacing / repairing the battery. Based on my experience, it seems to me that battery technology has not yet developed to an acceptable level. In addition, with the gradual failure of the cells, the machine continues to carry their dead weight, which further increases the consumption. In general, if the annual mileage is 20-30 thousand km, it may be rational to have such a car, but if 50 thousand km or more, the meaning of a hybrid or an electric car may be questionable.