Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Toyota Prius
$408
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Chevrolet Volt
$550
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Overall Reliability Rating
4
Excellent
The Toyota Prius Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 10th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $408 which means it has excellent ownership costs. While repairs are more frequent than average for the Prius, these issues are often minor, so you can expect to make slightly more trips to the shop than normal.
4
Above Average
The Chevrolet Volt Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 2nd out of 4 for alternative fuel vehicles. The average annual repair cost is $550 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is low while frequency of those issues is average, so major issues are uncommon for the Volt.
“Best car I ever had! Extremely reliable. First repair (other than scheduled maintenance) was at 150,000 miles when the rear wheel bearings were replaced. The car now has 180,000 miles and still...”
“Best car I ever had! Extremely reliable. First repair (other than scheduled maintenance) was at...”
“The Volt is the best car I've ever owned both from a performance (fun to drive) and from a quality perspective. The immediate torque from an electric car makes for a really enjoyable experience...”
“The Volt is the best car I've ever owned both from a performance (fun to drive) and from a...”
The Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius are both compact hybrid vehicles, but have some key differences. Both the Volt and the Prius are five-door hatchbacks that come with front-wheel drive.
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid car. It has a total system output of 250 horsepower. The Volt has a rechargeable battery, with an EPA-rated 53 miles of electric-only range on a full charge. Once the Volt’s battery is depleted, the gasoline engine can recharge the battery and keep the car moving.
The Toyota Prius is a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid car. Its total system output is 134 horsepower. Compared to the Volt, the Prius has a much smaller battery, which provides power from rest and at low speeds, assisting its gasoline engine to provide the best possible fuel economy. The Prius’ battery is recharged by its gasoline engine as it drives, and can not be externally plugged in.
Choosing between the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius is a matter of what type of hybrid driving experience you prefer. If you want to be able to drive on pure electric power some of the time, and not worry about range anxiety, the Volt is an excellent choice. If you just want to get excellent fuel economy, and not have to worry about plugging in, the Prius will give you exactly that.