2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality?

Linda L · 03-05-2008, 03:31 PM

Hi all -

I'm seriously considering buying a used 2001 Prius, and am curious in knowing what the EPA mileage estimates were for the 2001, and if you own one, what your actual mileage (city and highway) has been.

Thanks,
Linda

john1701a · 03-05-2008, 06:51 PM

45.4 MPG was the lifetime (59,827 miles) average for my 2001 Prius.

bwilson4web · 03-05-2008, 07:25 PM

I would strongly suggest you look at the 2002-03 models since they fixed a bunch of stuff after the 2001. For one thing, you'll get cruise control that was missing in the 2001 model year. However, I have a 2003 which is the same model as the 2001, an NHW11.

My mileage after 50,000 miles over two and a half years is running 52.3 MPG . . . but then I've made a study of it. Most folks are getting closer to 45 MPG in ordinary driving.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

kocho · 03-05-2008, 08:43 PM

I've had my '02 since 10/2007 when it was at 116k miles. Now, about 6,000 miles later, my average is exactly 45 mpg as measured at the pump. Never had a tank under 40 mpg, a two or thee were 50-51. My highway mileage (50 +) is better than heavy-ish city traffic (40-45). Hopefully it will get better as the weather warms-up...

tochatihu · 03-05-2008, 08:52 PM

2001 EPA rating was 52 city 45 highway. After the EPA 'rating downgrade' this became 42/41. The 90 units compiled at greenhybrid (2001-2003) average 45 mpg. Over 100k miles my 2001 average was also 45, though this excluded the times I carried roof loads. Those were a bit lower

I generally agree with Bob W. that the model had several improvements over time. But the steering fix was in the mid-2002 model run and the battery fix was in early 2003. I'm not sure when the '54' HV ECUs started appearing in new builds. If we accept the idea that the HV battery degrades slowly over time, then the 'youngest available' may offer an advantage.

If you can provide the VIN of the vheicle you are considering, we might be able to tell you which service campaigns, etc. it is under. Any Toyota shop could tell you that in much greater detail, because they can access the company database.

Cruise control can easily be added to 2001s, or any later vehicle sold w/o it, and it is very handy on the hwy. GPS navigation was first offered in 2002, but that feature as a built-in does not please all Prius drivers. The add-on GPS offer several advantages.

Side air bags were first offered in 2002, and this is an excellent safety feature that deserves careful consideration.

03-05-2008, 03:31 PM	#1
Linda L Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 32 My Car: 2002 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality? Hi all - I'm seriously considering buying a used 2001 Prius, and am curious in knowing what the EPA mileage estimates were for the 2001, and if you own one, what your actual mileage (city and highway) has been. Thanks, Linda

03-05-2008, 06:51 PM	#2
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,373 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 145 Times in 70 Posts Friends: 12	Re: 2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality? 45.4 MPG was the lifetime (59,827 miles) average for my 2001 Prius. Last edited by john1701a; 03-05-2008 at 09:56 PM.

03-05-2008, 07:25 PM	#3
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 3,849 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 146 Thanked 366 Times in 202 Posts Friends: 20	Re: 2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality? I would strongly suggest you look at the 2002-03 models since they fixed a bunch of stuff after the 2001. For one thing, you'll get cruise control that was missing in the 2001 model year. However, I have a 2003 which is the same model as the 2001, an NHW11. My mileage after 50,000 miles over two and a half years is running 52.3 MPG . . . but then I've made a study of it. Most folks are getting closer to 45 MPG in ordinary driving. GOOD LUCK! Bob Wilson

03-05-2008, 08:43 PM	#4
kocho Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 111 My Car: 2002 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality? I've had my '02 since 10/2007 when it was at 116k miles. Now, about 6,000 miles later, my average is exactly 45 mpg as measured at the pump. Never had a tank under 40 mpg, a two or thee were 50-51. My highway mileage (50 +) is better than heavy-ish city traffic (40-45). Hopefully it will get better as the weather warms-up...

03-05-2008, 08:52 PM	#5
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,404 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Re: 2001 MPG - EPA Estimated vs. Reality? 2001 EPA rating was 52 city 45 highway. After the EPA 'rating downgrade' this became 42/41. The 90 units compiled at greenhybrid (2001-2003) average 45 mpg. Over 100k miles my 2001 average was also 45, though this excluded the times I carried roof loads. Those were a bit lower I generally agree with Bob W. that the model had several improvements over time. But the steering fix was in the mid-2002 model run and the battery fix was in early 2003. I'm not sure when the '54' HV ECUs started appearing in new builds. If we accept the idea that the HV battery degrades slowly over time, then the 'youngest available' may offer an advantage. If you can provide the VIN of the vheicle you are considering, we might be able to tell you which service campaigns, etc. it is under. Any Toyota shop could tell you that in much greater detail, because they can access the company database. Cruise control can easily be added to 2001s, or any later vehicle sold w/o it, and it is very handy on the hwy. GPS navigation was first offered in 2002, but that feature as a built-in does not please all Prius drivers. The add-on GPS offer several advantages. Side air bags were first offered in 2002, and this is an excellent safety feature that deserves careful consideration. __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina Last edited by tochatihu; 03-05-2008 at 09:01 PM.