2007 Toyota PriusBill Petro
By 2007, 10 years after the hybrid vehicle was introduced, Canadians had bought at least 24,000 Toyota Prius models.
Buyers were starting to warm up to its low emissions, category-leading fuel economy and relatively compact size. Transport Canada rated the 2007 model at 4.0 L/100 km in town and 4.2 L/100 km on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient car sold in the country.
Then, as now, the Prius had two power sources: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The former displaced 1.5 litres and developed 76 hp at 5,000 rpm, while the latter made 67 horsepower at about 1,200 rpm. Together, these two produced a net horsepower of 110 horsepower, or 82 kilowatts.
Transmission was CVT-controlled via a shift lever located on the dash beside the steering wheel.
Toyota has always claimed that the Prius is a true hybrid - as opposed to a "mild" hybrid - because off the line, it runs on battery power alone, with the gas engine kicking in at about 20 km/h. The gas engine also recharges the electric motors' batteries, with the electric motor acting as a kind of power boost for increased performance. There's also a regenerative braking system that recharges the batteries.
A glitzy little display screen let you know how much power was being used by what source, battery power consumption, and so on. The entire system was virtually seamless and unobtrusive and, in most ways, this generation of Prius behaved like most other conventional automobiles.
If you ordered the top-of-the-line C model, you got a DVD navigation system, back-up camera, vehicle stability control system, upgraded stereo, Bluetooth capability and all the other modcons that came standard with the base version: climate control, power windows, cruise control, keyless entry, multi-information display, tilt steering and so on. The Prius was and is a hybrid, true, but it's always been a well-equipped automobile, as comfortable as anything else out there. The C package added $7,430 to the base price.
At speeds over 100 km/h, the Prius - regardless of the vintage - tends to be a little out of its element, and is prone to crosswinds due to its relatively narrow width of 1,725 mm. Passing trucks are particularly troublesome and, while superb fuel economy is the Prius' stock in trade, it's highway performance has traditionally been less than stellar, mainly because of a lack of stability and limited reserve power.
Perhaps because it's narrower at the back than at the front, the Prius always seems to get buffeted around more than usual. Not to the point of making you nervous, but a little skittish, nevertheless.
On the other hand, storage room has traditionally been surprisingly large for a car of this ilk. In 2007, when you popped open the rear hatch, there was more than enough room for several suitcases or maybe a couple of sets of golf clubs. Some 455 litres in total.
Transport Canada has one recall on the 2007 Prius, and it actually covers all models from 2009 back to 2004, not to mention a plethora of other Toyota and Lexus models. You're probably familiar with it, as it concerns the infamous possibly unco-operative gas pedal that could get stuck at full throttle due to an "unsecured or incompatible floor mat."
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has this glitch on file, too, and there are also eight technical service bulletins registered with this agency. The most serious of these seems to be an electrical issue that affects the vehicle's ability to shift from Park to Drive and hampers various accessories from operating properly after it has been parked in sub-zero weather for any period of time.
There are also a couple of problems with malfunctioning indicator lights coming on arbitrarily, again after the vehicle has been left in Park for an extended period of time. Current alleged sticky gas pedal or brake problems have yet to make their way through the system.
Consumer Reports gives this vintage of Prius a thumbs up in virtually every area, with the exception of minor issues with the electrical and audio systems. There are also reported beefs with various body squeaks and rattles. Nonetheless, it gets the magazine's top rating for used car prediction.
There's no mention anywhere of brake failure or runaway acceleration, but no shortage of feedback from owners. Some comments: "Navigation system hard to read in sunlight," "do not trust dealer," "comes with crappy tires" and "can be noisy when accelerating."
Market research firm J.D. Power is all over the map with the 2007 Prius. While Power likes its powertrain quality design and overall mechanical quality, it is less than happy with its comfort, style and features accessories quality. Still, it gets a top rating for predicted reliability.
Expect to pay at least $20,000 for a three-year-old Prius - if you can find one. This is about $10,000 less than it cost new, in 2007, so resale value is more than decent.
2007 TOYOTA PRIUS
Original Base Price: $31,280; Black Book Value: $19,300; Red Book Value: $20,125
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder/67-hp electric motor
Horsepower/Torque: 110 hp/105 lb-ft
Transmission: CVT
Drive: Front-wheel-drive
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 4.0 city/4.2 highway; regular gas
Alternatives: Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Saturn Aura Greenline, Nissan Altima Hybrid