Model comparison
Toyota Prius vs Volkswagen Golf
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Toyota Prius Depreciation & Resale Value
This analysis uses used-car listings observed in 2021. Expect a Toyota Prius to give up around 41.9% of its value across five years, which makes it an average performer for resale value. Buying a 2016 model instead of new saves roughly $12,175 off the original sticker.
The Toyota Prius is a dedicated hybrid hatchback whose fuel economy and battery age both influence used demand.
Market context: Prius c, Prius v, Prius Prime, and plug-in listings are excluded to keep this page model-specific.
Compare With
Compare the Toyota Prius with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
After 3 years
25.9%
typical loss
After 5 years
41.9%
typical loss
Biggest drop
2017→2016
+9.5% in one year
Smart-buy year
2016
~$15,000 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 16.3% |
| 2018 | 24.5% |
| 2017 | 31.7% |
| 2016 | 41.2% |
| 2015 | 48.3% |
Based on 123 2021 used-car listing observations. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Toyota Prius as it ages, from a ~$26,400 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 95% | $24,953 | −$1,447 | −$1,447 |
| 2 yrs | 84% | $22,097 | −$2,856 | −$4,303 |
| 3 yrs | 74% | $19,568 | −$2,529 | −$6,832 |
| 4 yrs | 66% | $17,329 | −$2,239 | −$9,071 |
| 5 yrs | 58% | $15,345 | −$1,984 | −$11,055 |
| 6 yrs | 52% | $13,589 | −$1,756 | −$12,811 |
| 7 yrs | 46% | $12,034 | −$1,555 | −$14,366 |
| 8 yrs | 40% | $10,657 | −$1,377 | −$15,743 |
Interactive tool
What's your Prius worth?
Estimate a used Prius's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$15,350
about typical mileage
At 60,000 miles (about typical for a 5-year-old car, ~60,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Cost of ownership
5-Year Cost to Own the Toyota Prius
The two biggest costs — depreciation and fuel — over five years for a recent model bought new (~$26,400).
Depreciation
$11,055· 42% of MSRP
Fuel
$6,000· 52 MPG · $1,200/yr
Depreciation + fuel, 5 years$17,055
Fuel cost from the EPA. Maintenance, insurance, taxes, and financing are additional and vary by driver and location.
Should You Buy a Used Toyota Prius?
Thinking about a Toyota Prius? It's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2016 (around $15,000) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss.
Pros
- Steep depreciation works in a used buyer's favor — about 41.9% off in five years means big discounts.
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $10,692.
Watch-outs
- Weak resale value, so you'll lose more if you buy new and sell later.
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2017 and 2016 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Toyota Prius Resale Value
The 2017-to-2016 transition is where the Prius bleeds the most value, dropping 9.5% points in one year. That makes the 2016 Prius a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
How Long Does the Toyota Prius Last?
Mileage profile across 126 listings.
Over 100k mi
19%
Over 150k mi
4.8%
Highest mileage
307,669 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$10,692
Roughly 19% of listed Toyota Priuss have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 4.8% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2016 Toyota Prius sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $15,000 — about $12,175 off its original MSRP.
View 2016 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Toyota Prius depreciate in 5 years?
A Toyota Prius loses about 41.9% of its original value over five years, based on a mileage-adjusted analysis of real used-car listings. For example, a 2016 Prius that cost about $27,175 new listed for roughly $15,000 in the analyzed cohort. Your exact figure depends on trim, mileage, condition, and local demand, but the five-year mark is where most of the early depreciation has already happened — which is what makes lightly-used examples such good value.
What is the best year to buy a used Toyota Prius?
The 2016 Prius is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $15,000 for a typical example. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 123 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated May 2021.