Car of the Year for 2008: The Toyota Prius
It is common to find buyers of the Toyota Prius enthusiastic about their purchase. The Prius has been one of the premier vehicles of the Toyota line for years. It is considered an institution of a car and the 2008 model is no exception. The Toyota Prius falls into the hatchback for the family category. The Prius inspires brand loyalty, and it’s not unusual to have a buyer purchase Toyotas year after year It is a constant that only gets better with age.
Toyota Prius Engine Specs
The Prius Touring is equipped with a Toyota 1.5 liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes 16 valves. The engine is mated to a N/A 4-speed Transaxle. This is a long-standing favorite for buyers in the Hatchback arena.
The 2008 Prius’s traditional fuel system runs on electric/gas. The fuel is regulated electronically, with a fuel-injected multi-port fuel injection style of design. The fuel tank holds 11.90 gallons.
The Prius uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are drum. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The car uses coil and coil springs front and rear respectively.
Vehicle Statistics
The dimensions of the Prius Touring are 67.90 inches wide by 175.00 inches long. It sits a comfortable 58.70 inches off the ground. It seats a standard five passengers, with 4 doors. The wheelbase of 106.30 allows for limited leg room for the backseat passengers.
The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $22,475 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $20,695. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Hatchback.
There is a 36,000 mile, 36 month warranty with this vehicle, including a powertrain warranty of 60,000/60 miles/months. This is normal for this price range.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2008 Prius gets 45 miles/gallon on the highway and only 48 in the city. This is exceptional for a hatchback car.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why the Toyota Prius Touring sold well in 2008. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Toyota, specifically a Prius.
My spouse purchased mine for the 1.5 liter engine. Plus the 4-gear tranny.
My mom bought a Toyota Prius last year. So far so good…
Decode This has a review of this car.