New Prius To Top Out At $32,000 More Than A Base Lexus IS

They have divided the car into 5 price categories:

Prius I To be released at a later date $21,000

Prius II $22,000
– 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle engine
– P195/65 R15 all-season tires with alloy
wheels & covers
– Smart Key (driver’s door) and Push Button
start
– EV, Eco, and Power modes
– Multi-Informational Display with energy
monitor and fuel consumption history
– AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six speakers and
satellite radio capability and auxiliary
audio jack
– Cruise control
– STAR Safety System and active front headrest
– Seven airbags including driver knee airbag
– Four-wheel disc brakes
– Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and
HVAC
Controls with Touch Tracer Display
– Six-way adjustable driver seat
– Auto up/down on all windows
– Color-keyed foldable power heated side
mirrors

Prius III In addition to Prius II features: $23,000
– JBL AM/FM/MP3 six-disc CD changer with eight
speakers
– Integrated satellite radio capability
– Hands-free phone capability via
Bluetooth((R)) wireless technology

Prius IV In addition to Prius III features: $25,800
– Three-door Smart Key system
– Leather-trimmed interior
– Heated front seats with driver lumbar support
– Driver and front passenger water repellant
windows
– Plasmacluster(TM) ionizer
– Auto dimming mirror with HomeLink(R)

Prius V In addition to Prius IV features: $27,270
– 17-inch alloy wheels and P215/45 R17 tires
– LED headlamps with auto leveling and washers
– Integrated foglamps

Optional Equipment:

Navigation Package $1,800
Voice-actived
touch-screen
DVD navigation system
With JBL AM/FM/MP3
four-disc CD changer,
eight speakers,
integrated satellite
radio capability, XM
NavTraffic capability,
hands-free phone
capability and music
streaming via Bluetooth
wireless technology
and integrated backup
camera

Solar Roof Package $3,600
Includes Navigation
Package equipment
plus power tilt/slide
moonroof with Solar
Powered Ventilation
System and Remote Air
Conditioning System

Advanced Technology Package $4,500
Includes Navigation
Package equipment plus
Dynamic Radar Cruise
Control (DRCC),
Pre-Collision System
(PCS), Lane Keep Assist
(LKA), Intelligent
Parking Assist(IPA)

So buying a Prius V along with the Advanced Technology package plus $750 destination charge will cost $32,500, and the solar roof is not an option. Also buying a Prius that is not a plug-in car does not allow any tax credits.

A Chevy Volt in the mid to upper 30 thousand range take off $7500 for government tax credit could very well cost the buyer less and likely be similarly equipped with creature comforts.

I am told GM is “still investigating” what if any option packages the Volt might have or if it would be one well-equipped model.

The cost of driving without gas, of course, is priceless.


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91z4me - 4/22/2009 2:10:32 PM

+1 Boost

Hmmm...depending on options and trim level the supposed $40k Chevy Volt might not be to obnoxiously high priced (it will get a $7500 tax credit) for the market.

America - 4/23/2009 6:21:41 PM

+2 Boost

32k more than the IS puts it into the 60k's. That is as nutty as the 250k IS-F or the 3 bazillion dollar LF-A vapor-car.

fatandsassy - 4/22/2009 2:13:13 PM

+1 Boost

BUY A NEW FORD FOCUS HYBRID.... I saw one today. The city I live in has purchased a few. The car is really appealing to the eye. I was shocked that a ford could look this good, priced well, and be a hybrid without using that Prius, Honda Insight shape. GO FORD!

t_sotello - 4/22/2009 5:50:25 PM

+1 Boost

YOU MEAN FUSION HYBRID RIGHT?

Carboy - 4/22/2009 2:41:02 PM

+7 Boost

Now I see why people rather buy a $35,000 (after incentives) SUV rather than this.

zlives - 4/22/2009 3:09:25 PM

+7 Boost

jetta diesel, starts at 22k and you get 1500 tax credit.... looks better and drives better

MrBratwurst - 4/23/2009 7:02:16 AM

+1 Boost

— zlives

| jetta diesel, starts at 22k

FALSE. Jetta diesel starts at USD 23.370 when you add an automatic transmission which Toyota Prius, starting at USD 21.000, comes as standard with.


VW Jetta diesel DSG returns 33 MPG in EPA combined driving [1]. Long term Edmunds test proved the real life Jetta diesel DSG fuel economy is 35.6 MPG [2].

Meanwhile Toyota Prius III EPA fuel economy is 50 (FIFTY) MPG. Edmunds observed fuel economy of Toyota Prius III along their standard 115 miles fuel economy route is 52.2 MPG [3][4].


5-year ownership costs of previous generations of Toyota Prius II and VW Jetta diesel look as follows:

Fuel costs:
Toyota Prius II: $5,285 [5]
VW Jetta 1.9 TDI: $8,742 [6]

Repairs:
Toyota Prius II: $2,291 [5]
VW Jetta 1.9 TDI: $3,540 [6]

Total costs (fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing etc.)
Toyota Prius II: $29,669 [5]
VW Jetta 1.9 TDI: $34,305 [6]


Using EPA energy impact, CO2 emission formulas and real life observed fuel economy of those two cars, driving the Toyota Prius III instead of VW Jetta diesel DSG over 500.000km/310.000 miles (expected lifetime of the battery [7]) allows the owner to:
- burn 4057 gallons of crude oil less [9]
- emit 51 TONNES CO2 less [10]

VW Jetta diesel has EPA air pollution score of 6 out of 10 [1]. Previous gen Toyota Prius II score was 8 out of 10 [9]. The new model likely improve it or at least remain the same.


References:
[1] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=25262
[2] http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/04/big-list-of-fuel-economy---march-edition.html
[3] http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=144886/pageId=164144
[4] http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=144926/pageId=164189
[5] http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/toyota/prius/100326481/cto.html?setzip=10007&vdp=off
[6] http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/volkswagen/jetta/100352548/cto.html?setzip=10007&vdp=off
[7] http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Toyota-Prius-Taxi-Cracks-550,000-km.html
[8] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2009&make=Toyota&model=Prius&hiddenField=Findacar
[9] Jetta diesel DSG EPA estimates [1]: energy impact score = 11.9 barrels over 15.000 miles, EPA MPG = 33, real life MPG = 35, 1 barrel = 42 US gallons, test distance = 310.000 miles

EPA estimates used for 2009 previous gen Toyota Prius II [9] and corrected for improved real life MPG of the new one (46 MPG vs 52 MPG): energy impact score = 7.4 barrels, EPA MPG = 46, real life new model MPG = 52

Calculations:
(310000 / 15000) * (11.9 / (35 / 33) - 7.4 / (52 / 46)) * 42 ~= 4057

[10] Same data as above and correction MPGs, only EPA CO2 emissions replace energy impact score: Jetta diesel DSG = 6.4 tonnes CO2, Prius II = 4 tonnes CO2

Calculations:
(310000 / 15000) * (6.4 / (35 / 33) - 4.0 / (52 / 46)) ~= 51.6

holmstar - 4/23/2009 4:24:56 PM

+2 Boost

Jetta gets EPA 34mpg combined for the manual. If you are trying to max your fuel economy why would you choose the automatic? Especially since it costs more.

"Modern diesels are very complex"... Meh, and so are modern hybrids. I'd argue that diesels are actually more proven... emissions technology aside.

shabaru - 4/22/2009 3:11:28 PM

-1 Boost

Well even though I am a Mercedes Benz fan, this has to be the first time that I would choose to bring the Lexus IS home over this prius. Ill give you my logical reason for a prius. They are making hybrids so popular saying how much you can save in the ads so these consumers wont know how much they have already put down in the very beginning just to buy this car. So I would probably estimate the fact that you would have to wait 5 to 7 years before you can actually save enough on gas for you to be able to even out with the so called "hybrid".... I would take the lexus because its LUXURY.... even though I must say I hate lexus soo much..... that id rather buy a toyota.... this article has just contradicted my way of thinking... :)...


and sure I might be deboosted but this is of course my opinion.....
many others may think otherwise

EL34 - 4/22/2009 3:45:54 PM

+3 Boost

Now I know ToyLex is nuts, but the rich Hollywood elite will buy the wedgey lookin' thing if they think they're saving planet Earth.

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 8:39:52 AM

+6 Boost

I was waiting for your idiot reply. You took much longer than usual.

Willis - 4/23/2009 1:19:21 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota and Lexus generally have average interiors that are just "dressed up" nicely and fool a lot of people, such as yourself.

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 6:18:02 PM

+1 Boost

willis-

you can say the same for vw and audi, and mechanically both are FAR WORSE than even the cheapest toyota or scion, to say nothing of lexus.

for that matter, most americans are overimpressed with looks and style, glossing over the mechanical inferiority of brands/models they like.

monkeyrun - 4/22/2009 4:17:27 PM

0 Boost

features like Lane assist, adaptive cruise control are usually only offered in premium cars.

and solar sun roof ... you don't get that option on any cars.

This Prius got some pretty geeky options.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 4/22/2009 8:21:52 PM

+1 Boost

The Audi A8 offers Solar Sun Roof. and im sure the MB E and S Classes have them avail too. {Used to power Remote Cooling and Heating Functions}

AlexTx - 4/23/2009 4:39:55 PM

+2 Boost

The solar sunroof was an option on the Audi A6... back in 1999!!!
My father had it on his car.

VEGAM - 4/22/2009 4:30:09 PM

+5 Boost

The title to this article could have been "Pricing for 2010 Toyota Prius to start at $22K."
Way to go Mr Agent009!!!

Agent009 - 4/22/2009 4:42:12 PM

-4 Boost

Thx for the Kudos! It is all in how you look at the glass...is it half empty or half full?

thetruth01 - 4/22/2009 7:27:25 PM

+5 Boost

I doubt he was giving u kudos, 009, tho I'm sure ur reply was sarcastic, as you undoubtedly know that. You purposely chose to highlight the upper end of the price. How about.... New Prius Base Price Drops $1000" or "Prius Starts at $21000."

Nah, no way. You are so transparent in your Toyota bashing.

"offers no plug-in capability." How about, achieves 50mpg without having to plug it in.

"A Chevy Volt in the mid to upper 30 thousand range take off $7500 for government tax credit could very well cost the buyer less and likely be similarly equipped with creature comforts." Which Vapor Volt are you talking about that will be in the mid $30,000 range, anyway.

You are straining your credibilty more and more with each article. Unbelievable.

Anthony - 4/22/2009 4:41:24 PM

+1 Boost

Don't get it with all the options, and it wont cost as much. Simple as that. But if someone wants all those options, and can afford it, then more power to them. This site is so bass-ackwards when it comes to the value that individuals place on their cars. The new Prius may not be worth $32,000 to you, but your neighbor may not feel the same way.

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 6:12:38 AM

+1 Boost

"This site is so bass-ackwards when it comes to the value that individuals place on their cars."


so true!

now that one can get a brand new Tata Nano for a mere $2500, just WHAT do people get in addition, that is WORTH $27,500 more when one buys a $30k car? and just HOW OFTEN is the extra capacity/hp actually USEABLE?

for all the near sighted FOOLS who pride themselves in getting $30 - $50,000+ Ubercars, they can maybe make full use of the car's capabilities 5 or 10% of the time-- IF they buy some track time.
in everyday traffic conditions, all the extra HP, ceramic brakes, etc. etc. are TOTALLY USELESS. (if i were petty, i'd smirk everytime i see a hot "performance car" stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic!)

now, for the say $5-7k extra one pays for a prius over a corolla, how much of THIS technical prowess is useable on a DAILY basis? i'd guesstimate a good 70 - 90%!

the ubertech one pays for in a prius, is 100% USEABLE ALL THE TIME, vs. 5 - 10% for a 'performance' ubercar.

i'd say the typical Prius buyer is a genius consumer. the gearheads who tout and pay thru the nose for 0-60 performance are the real fools and wastrals!

LexusKindaGuy12 - 4/22/2009 5:03:43 PM

+3 Boost

look what you get for 32K though! radar cruise, pre collision, lane keep assist. you cant even find LKA on any lexus vehicle right now in the states (though they do have it on the LS in other countries).

i dont think its outrageously priced. if we know anything about prius buyers, its that anyone, rich or poor, will buy it for the status. this will entice luxury car buyers as well, as as someone mentioned, celebrities.

Agent63 - 4/22/2009 5:16:34 PM

-3 Boost

The process of making a Prius is worse for the environment in the long run anyways. It's not a gimmick but what the consumers don't know is what happens during the extraction of certain materials and the machinery that is required to do the work.

Anyways, 32K is expensive for a Prius no matter how you look at it. Econobox car edging closer to entry level premium.

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 4:20:55 AM

+1 Boost

regardless, people ARE buying them. even optioned out.

of the dozen plus people i personally know who own Priuses, many can well afford more luxurious cars. (they didn't get to be rich throwing away money at the gas pumps.)

i predict the new Lexus HS250 will find a receptive audience of buyers, who enjoy fuel efficiency AND luxury. many current owners of uplevel priuses will be trading up. and their current priuses will cycle down to others wanting to save too, without buying new. (two of my prius driving friends bought used.)

Maulvader - 4/22/2009 5:51:14 PM

+4 Boost

The title needs a comma after the price. The way it is now, it suggests the Prius is $32,000 over a base IS.

thetruth01 - 4/22/2009 7:28:54 PM

+4 Boost

Intentional slip perhaps???

answer - 4/22/2009 6:48:21 PM

+1 Boost

But hasn't the average new car price been in the high twenties for several years now?

crslmn - 4/22/2009 6:54:43 PM

+2 Boost

I'll give you quality, safety, reliability, and might give it some style. No performance or handling.

XYZZ - 4/22/2009 10:42:00 PM

-2 Boost

the handling is one of the major areas of improvement on the 2010. and the Sport model is even more highly tuned. (the better to take "death curves" with when hypermiling).

performance is not measured in mere hp. there is "performance" in handling. and performance in aero slipperiness. and performance in being one of the MOST EFFICIENT vehicles ever designed and mass produced.

TexLandRover - 4/22/2009 10:09:18 PM

+1 Boost

Seems alittle bit stiff price to me. I think they should have at least shot for a "fully loaded" at $29,999.90. Would have seemed more sensible. But of course someone will buy the base version just to feel good...

MrBratwurst - 4/23/2009 9:42:34 AM

+1 Boost

— TexLandRover:

| But of course someone will buy the base version just to feel good...

Someone will buy the base version (over, for instance, a diesel Jetta):
- to save 4057 gallons of crude oil
- to emit 51 tonnes CO2 less
- to save about USD 5000 in total ownership costs

Sources in the comment above.


| Seems alittle bit stiff price to me. I think they should have at least
| shot for a "fully loaded" at $29,999.90. Would have seemed more
| sensible.

Automatic front wheel drive Audi A3 (which is a rebadged Volkswagen Golf) with 4 cylinder turbocharged engine tops at USD 38.000. You still get no radar guided cruise control, no line keeping assistance, no pre-collision system and no parking assist (however, HID headlamps and bigger wheels are in).

800over - 4/24/2009 2:52:01 PM

0 Boost

They are in front of the driver....what are you talking about?

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 9:01:38 AM

+3 Boost

Kudos to Toyota for all of the technology that the Prius packs (including its hybrid system) but thats where everything stops. I cant see paying 30K+ plus for something that looks like that.

Come to think about it, I would spend a couple more grand and take a base 2009 328i or C300 in red and I guarantee you will NEVER hear me complain about the 18mpg or so Im getting. I will have way too many smiles from the driving experience to even care about MPG's! (Just my opinion)

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 9:14:02 AM

+1 Boost

^^^Unfortuately I couldnt mention the CTS above because they now start near 40K. (sighs) When the hell did that happen!

Spectator - 4/23/2009 10:20:07 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota Yaris:

$12,205
29cty/39highway

Honda Fit:

$14,750
27cty/33highway

Nissan Versa:

$13,110
26cty/34highway


So if I'm reading this right Toyota estimates that I will, during the life and ownership of my vehicle, spend more than $7,000-$9,000 extra in gas with the above three equivilant vehicles vs the Toyota Prius I.

Wow they must expect that I will keep a car 10 years. Even if I spent $60.00 per month extra in fuel it would take me almost exactly 10 years to recoupe the cost.

No thanks. If I want to spend more on a car that runs longer, I'll just buy a diesel. At least the fuel is cheaper and it holds its resale value.

MrBratwurst - 4/23/2009 11:07:04 AM

+1 Boost

— Spectator

| Toyota Yaris: [...]
| Honda Fit: [...]

Yaris and Fit are subcompact cars. Comparing them with Prius makes no sense.


| Nissan Versa:
| $13,110
| 26cty/34highway

Edmunds tested Versa some time ago [1]. 120 HP non-automatic car was USD 15.500, not USD. 13.000. Observed MPG was 26.8, twice worse than Prius III (see above for references).


| So if I'm reading this right Toyota estimates that I will, during the
| life and ownership of my vehicle, spend more than $7,000-$9,000 extra
| in gas with the above three equivilant vehicles vs the Toyota Prius I.
| Wow they must expect that I will keep a car 10 years. Even if I spent
| $60.00 per month extra in fuel it would take me almost exactly 10
| years to recoupe the cost.

Once in a lifetime think about imported crude oil saved and CO2 not emitted.


| No thanks. If I want to spend more on a car that runs longer, I'll
| just buy a diesel.

Diesels don't run longer. Modern diesels are very complex (variable vane turbocharging, ultra high pressure fuel delivery, fragile injectors, complex gearboxes, particulate filter, NOx reductors, double-mass flywheels, complex gearboxes, intercoolers). Which makes them far less reliable and more expensive to own. See calculation in my previous comments for details.


| At least the fuel is cheaper

At least can you read refueling costs?

Fuel costs:
Toyota Prius II: $5,285 [5]
VW Jetta 1.9 TDI: $8,742 [6]


| and it holds its resale value.

Considering total costs to own, it likely does not.

Total costs (fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing etc.)
Toyota Prius II: $29,669 [5]
VW Jetta 1.9 TDI: $34,305 [6]


[1] http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115699/pageId=98222

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 4:48:33 AM

+1 Boost

i was just talking with some friends a few days ago about the longevity of toyotas. we concluded that any toyota that started having a bunch of problems after a mere TEN years, must be a lemon.

most that we have personally owned, and those we know of owned by friends, last a MINIMUM of 15 years before needing any major work (if then!) 20-year old toyotas are not uncommon.

and, all this is in the harsh environment of sub-arctic, interior Alaska!

i doubt very many diesel cars last this long. or ANY vehicle with a turbocharger, without it requiring an overhaul within 15 - 20 years.

Whelan - 4/23/2009 10:34:55 AM

+1 Boost

I'd rather have the Honda Insight if I was shopping for a wedge-shaped laugh mobile. The Honda is priced WAY below the Prius in comparison, it may not get the same MPG but you still get really high numbers. Also the Honda can come with optional LED headlights! That's pretty cool IMO.

I hate Prii (pronounced Pre-eye) personally. Especially the ones that either sit in the left lane doing 50-60 and won't move, or the ones who buzz around at 80mph like they have a BMW. Do yourself a favor, you bought a gas sipper, so drive it like one. 55 in the slow lane for your hypermiling. Otherwise get a real car if your going to do 80+, otherwise your not getting any better mileage than I do in my Matrix at those speeds.

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 12:19:55 PM

+1 Boost

I think the Insight is much better looking too. I dont think its available with LED headlamps though. I dont even think it offers HID headlamps. Just projector beams halogens (I think).

800over - 4/23/2009 1:43:10 PM

+1 Boost

Doesn't the Honda start at 20k and the Prius start at 21k? How is that priced WAY below? Nothing wrong with the Honda at all....but larger, more fuel efficient and more powerful for $1000....sounds about right.

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 2:50:20 PM

0 Boost

I didnt say I would buy an Insight, I said it was much better looking than the Prius. As a matter of fact, the Insight looks more expensive than the Prius (with the exception of the interior).

Whelan - 4/23/2009 4:33:50 PM

0 Boost

I did not say it was WAY less $$ at base. I am saying comparitavely equipped. As for the shape, this has been deemed the most streamlined for airflow and max fuel consumption.

I stand corrected
"While the LEDs are efficient and would have saved some energy, Honda reminds people that the Insight was designed as the Hybrid for Everyone! A big part of making the Insight accessible was keeping the cost down and those LED light clusters remain very expensive. Thus they were left on the cutting room floor."

800over - 4/23/2009 8:53:30 PM

+2 Boost

Whelan, the Insight is not equiped like the Prius at any level other than base....so what are you talking about?

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 5:40:57 AM

+1 Boost

"...or the ones who buzz around at 80mph like they have a BMW. Do yourself a favor, you bought a gas sipper, so drive it like one. 55 in the slow lane for your hypermiling. Otherwise get a real car if your going to do 80+, otherwise your not getting any better mileage than I do in my Matrix at those speeds."


don't be such a NANNY, whelan! who are you to tell people how to drive their cars!? given that the prius has THE MOST AERODYNAMICALLY EFFICIENT shape (which you hate), at 80 mph it probably STILL gets more mpg than your matrix! or ANY other car driven at 80!

further, higher speeds are not necessarily incompatible with hypermiling. i've practiced hypermiling even before the term was invented. and i have gotten MORE mpg overall when i got up to 80-85 mph before 'gliding' than starting at a mere 70-75. (traffic and enforcement, along with foreseen slowing/stopping points, are the only reasons i don't ALWAYS glide down from high speeds. but i still often sneak up to 10 - 15 mph over the limits.)

blaniac22 - 4/23/2009 1:17:48 PM

+4 Boost

Insight is better looking IMO.

I just dont like how both Prius and Insight have the same profile.

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 5:40:51 PM

+1 Boost

I know what the profile of these cars do for airflow/maximum effieciency/drag etc. but they are terrible to look at. The Volt came close but Chevy managed to camouflage it in their design.

LACMAN - 4/23/2009 10:01:28 PM

+1 Boost

I never thought about it that way. Nice "Insight"! (joke drum-roll, please)

bgagliano - 4/24/2009 12:39:36 AM

+1 Boost

Your headline is very wrong. You need a proofreader badly. You need an english lesson as well. A loaded Prius doesn't cost $32K more than a base Lexus IS, c'mon!!

Type707 - 4/24/2009 12:50:52 AM

+2 Boost

I don't think that its worth the price. Nice features but a Toyota is a toyota...they should have transitioned it to a Lexus with a much more luxury touch to it if its going to be in that price range.

LACMAN - 4/24/2009 9:17:20 AM

+1 Boost

Isnt that what the new "HS" sedan is for? Wonder what tag will be on that?!?! 50K loaded?

XYZZ - 5/3/2009 6:22:55 PM

+1 Boost

"a Toyota is a toyota..." yet toyotas are the MOST RESPECTED cars and trucks on the planet, when it comes to reliability and durability.

and in japan and asia generally, they can easily cost over $50-60,000 (Land Cruiser) and over $100,000 (Toyota crown, century), wearing the TOYOTA nameplate proudly.

top model Lexuses however, do top even that, selling for $150 - 200k+ to china's millionaires.