- Toyota has increased prices on the 2012 Prius, including a $1,015 boost on the top-of-the-line Prius Five.
- The base 2012 Toyota Prius Two starts at $24,760, including a $760 destination charge.
- The 2012 Toyota Prius Five starts at $30,565, including shipping.
TORRANCE, California — Toyota has increased prices on the 2012 Prius, including a $1,015 boost on the top-of-the-line Prius Five.
The base 2012 Toyota Prius Two starts at $24,760, including a $760 destination charge. The price reflects a $480 increase over the 2011 Prius Two.
The 2012 Toyota Prius Five starts at $30,565, including shipping.
Toyota said 2012 Prius price increases range from 2.0-4.3 percent.
The EPA lists the Prius as one of its fuel-economy leaders in its 2012 fuel economy guide. The Prius took the fifth spot in the guide, just behind such offerings as the Mitsubishi i, Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. The 2012 Prius returns 51 mpg in city driving and 48 mpg on the highway.
The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report said the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stood at $3.21 on Tuesday versus $2.98 a year ago.
The 2012 Prius gets minor changes, including a refreshed front fascia, revised taillamps, restyled 15-inch wheels covers and LED daytime running lights with an on/off feature. The cabin gets a standard 6.1-inch Display Audio system with USB for iPod, Bluetooth and a more advanced mult-information display.
The 2012 Prius One is for fleet customers only. The 2012 Prius arrives in showrooms in January.
Inside Line says: You'll pay more for a Prius in the coming year.
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prefabu says:
06:18 PM, 02/13/2012
How are some people confused about the cost of a Prius versus something like a Civic EX-L? The drivetrain is technologically much more sophisticated and includes many expensive components. Whether you value that equipment is another issue, but the costs seem to be what I would expect for both cars. If Toyota wanted to stick a Corolla drivetrain in the Prius, it would be a lot cheaper or would have many extra features at the $24K-25K price. Also, the Prius has climate control, a true convenience / comfort feature and really the only one I really care about. This is not available on the Civic at any price. Leather, Nav, heated seats, $24K+, and you still have to fiddle with a fan and a valve to control the temp? No thanks.
streetmoney21 says:
12:53 PM, 12/23/2011
How does the Prius match up to other hybrid vehicles, you ask? The 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid, which has the second lowest annual fuel cost and an MPG of 42, will run you about $1039 per year in gas. A larger 4WD hybrid such as the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe has an MPG of 21 and will guzzle up to $2013 per year. Case and point: High MPGs equal lower fuel costs, and the Prius comes out as the winner in gas savings. Check out Fuel Economy to see how your car measures up.
So at the end of the day, do the gas savings make up for the added cost of the Prius? If you were to opt for a Prius over a Civic, it would take nearly 9 years to make up the difference in price through gas savings, and if you were to opt for the Prius over a Ford Focus, it would take over six years break even. Whether or not the Prius makes financial sense for you depends on how long you plan on driving your vehicle. If you're looking to keep it for the long run, you'll be better off investing in a Prius. If you're going to drive it for less than six years, you might be financially better off getting a standard vehicle at a low price.
rags00 says:
12:53 PM, 12/22/2011
If you throw in the better Lithium Batteries that Japan receives; you might be able to justify the boost in price
teatime2morrow says:
12:52 PM, 12/22/2011
I've always wondered what kind of mileage the Prius would get if it retained all the fuel saving features it has (aerodynamics, low resistance, tires, flushed underbody) but then removed the batteries and hybrid powertrain. Pop in a conventional, fuel efficient ICE and auto start/stop. Probably have nearly the same MPG since the car is now lighter without the batteries and is greener in the manufacturing process. Be even cheaper too.
streetmoney21 says:
07:08 PM, 12/21/2011
The only famous person I know that drives a Prius as a daily driver is Larry David and the only reason he drives one is because he's a cheap bastard. Buying a car because celebrities are seen driving it is a true sign of very low self esteem or lack of any real knowledge of cars. In addition, the celebrity who is driving a Prius probably got the car for free and were asked to drive it to advertise the brand. Do you really think J-Lo drives a Fiat everyday? if so, I would like some of what you must be smoking.
I am not saying the Prius is a bad car. It is an over priced car and the main purpose of the Prius is to save money. The sad thing is people are falling for the lame Prius argument (Give us your money to save the environment). There are other cars in the same market that compete well against the Prius.
I bought a 2011 Honda Insight for $19,500 out the door. I could of bought a Prius, but why spend the extra money when my purpose is to buy a low price fuel efficient car. I'm laughing all the way to the bank and my E55 AMG gets to rest when I need to travel far. Not to mention modded to 600HP eats a lot of gas.
If you are trying to save money the Prius is not a car for you. If you like the car and it floats your boat enjoy it. Just know that Toyota is milking you for it.
motorstreet says:
04:47 PM, 12/21/2011
This means the Prius is officially more expensive than the Volkswagen TDI's and the TDI's come with tons of features optional on the Prius. The TDI's are also much more fun to drive, much better built, have more space, and in the real world they get the same fuel economy as the Prius (or significantly better on the highway).
ctl says:
01:23 PM, 12/21/2011
Here is a clue. Lots of famous people are talking and driving Prius, yet you see any of them driving or care to talk about Civic? One is just another cheap econo box, the other, the symbol of hybrid.
streetmoney21 says:
09:57 AM, 12/21/2011
The civic EX-L is $24,225 and The base 2012 Toyota Prius Two starts at $24,760. Here is what you get in the EX-L civic. How is it that a base Prius is more expensive that a top of the line civic with voice activated navigation?
Leather-Trimmed Seats
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Heated Front Seats
Heated Power Side Mirrors
intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with Color TFT Screen
USB Audio Interface6
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®7
Air Conditioning with Air-Filtration System
160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6 Speakers
MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability8
MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack
Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC)
Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's Window
Power Door Locks with Auto-Lock Feature
Cruise Control
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System? with Voice Recognition9
Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise, Audio, Phone, Navigation and i-MID Controls
Beverage Holders
Center Console with Armrest and Storage Compartment
Remote Trunk Release with Lock
Map Lights
Floor Mats
Driver's and Front Passenger's Vanity Mirrors
Rear Window Defroster with Timer
60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback
12-Volt Power Outlets (2)
Maintenance Minder? System
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®7
60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback
XM® Radio10
FM Traffic
streetmoney21 says:
09:49 AM, 12/21/2011
louiswei I do more research than you know and it is common knowledge that the Prius is way over priced. I understand if you are a Prius fanboy and want to defend a car that you sound emotional about, but at the end of the day there is a lot of competition out there that makes the Prius way over priced for what it is.
Civic Sedan EX $21,275
Adding to or replacing features on the LX
16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Rear Disc Brakes
One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback
160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6 Speakers
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®[8]
Exterior Temperature Indicator
Passenger-Side Seatback Pocket
Rear-Seat Armrest
Steering Wheel-Mounted Phone Controls
intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with Color TFT Screen
USB Audio Interface[6]
Air Conditioning with Air-Filtration System
Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Cruise, Audio and i-MID Controls
160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 4 Speakers
MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability[7]
MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack
The 2012 Toyota Prius Two starts at $24,760
LED lights are cheap as hell to make I bought some for my benz for 20 bucks
ed124c says:
08:42 AM, 12/21/2011
Hmm. This Prius 2 price is only 2K, or so, lower than the V. If I were in the market for a Prius, I would get the V-- lower fuel economy, but a big jump in practicality.