2001 Toyota Prius: Road Test
Archived Review
2001 Toyota Prius ▼
Select a Trim ▼
- MSRP: $19,995
- Invoice: $18,793
Features & Specifications
Compare Vehicle
Related to Toyota Prius
Previous Year's Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Our road test for the 2001 Toyota Prius includes a full evaluation of the 2001 Toyota Prius from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2001 Toyota Prius, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2001 Toyota Prius help you decide if a 2001 Toyota Prius is right for you.
Advertisement
ACCELERATION
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.7 |
Prius does 0-60 mph in a leisurely 12.3 sec in our tests, one second longer than Insight. But Prius doesn't feel lazy in town and is actually quite responsive in the 55-70 mph range. Its powertrain is mostly unobtrusive. However, there's a slight nudge as the gas engine cuts in and out. And momentum can sag annoyingly as the electric motor switches in and out of battery-recharge mode during braking or when coasting down long grades.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 9 | 6.8 |
Our Midwest test car averaged 44.1 mpg in city/highway driving; a second Prius tested in hillier California returned 38.3 with lots of highway miles. (Test manual-transmission Insight averaged 57.3 mpg.)
RIDE QUALITY
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3.7 |
Soft damping gives a capably absorbent ride and very little of the expected small-car chop on rippled freeways.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4.2 |
Like Toyota's conventional Echo subcompact, Prius has a tall body and skinny tires, so it's sensitive to crosswinds, tracks road grooves too easily, and corners with marked lean and limited grip. Basically front-drive safe and predictable, though. Brakes make stable, fairly short simulated emergency stops.
QUIETNESS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3.6 |
Wind and tire noise are small-car normal, but much engine moaning in hard-throttle driving. However, Prius is subjectively quieter than Insight in gentle cruising, its gas engine smoother and sweeter-sounding.
CONTROLS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 3 | 5.5 |
Shifter sprouts from dash just to the right of the wheel moves vertically but works well. To its right: a video-type screen for displaying power sources in use, fuel economy, and radio presets. It can distract, but you can turn it off. Central dashtop digi-graphic gauges are large and legible. Other controls conventional.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 4.3 |
Adult-size space and entry/exit to match, but economy-class seats grow tiring after about two hours despite comfortable high positioning. Styling slightly impedes aft visibility.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3.1 |
Again echoing Echo, Prius is too narrow for three adults, but two have ample head clearance, decent leg room even with a front seat pushed right back, and good toe space.
CARGO ROOM
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.3 |
Good for the exterior size, but trunk is taller than it is long, only average in width, and has a fairly small opening. Battery pack location precludes a folding rear seat.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4.6 |
Prius, like Insight, is basically a high-tech alternative to a traditional economy car and rather costly as such. Toyota's own Echo delivers similarly pleasant fuel mileage at lower initial cost, and Volkswagen's Jetta/Golf diesel returned over 40 mpg in our tests. Still, Prius is roomier, more-pleasant daily transport than Insight, with 4-dr convenience to boot.
Total Score
| Base | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 42 | 42.8 |
Total Score: 42
Scores for all Compact Cars
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
