How does one date a Prius?

[stpauler]

I mean, not pick it up at its house with candy and flowers and see a drive-in movie. Although that would be nice... I'm talking about driving down a road and seeing another Prius and saying that that one's an '06 because the tail lights are shaped that way for that year.

So what are the exterior physical differences in the years?

[subarutoo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stpauler @ Nov 14 2007, 11:44 AM) [snapback]539579[/snapback]</div>

I mean, not pick it up at its house with candy and flowers and see a drive-in movie. Although that would be nice... I'm talking about driving down a road and seeing another Prius and saying that that one's an '06 because the tail lights are shaped that way for that year.

So what are the exterior physical differences in the years?
[/b]

Since 06 the grill bar is chrome, the tail lights are all clear and there is a chrome "Hybrid" logo on the front fender. That's the main external differences I can think of. Tourings have seven spoke 16" wheel covers.

[iDonna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stpauler @ Nov 14 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]539579[/snapback]</div>

I mean, not pick it up at its house with candy and flowers and see a drive-in movie. Although that would be nice... I'm talking about driving down a road and seeing another Prius and saying that that one's an '06 because the tail lights are shaped that way for that year.

So what are the exterior physical differences in the years?
[/b]

www.priusmatch.com
www.epriusharmony.com

Or maybe we could start a singles forum!!!

OK, nevermind. I know one way to tell an '05 from an '06.

The 2005 version has a dark smokey tail light ... the one at the top. The 2006 version is clear.

[JimboK]

Let's rule out 2003 and earlier. There was a major body redesign in 2004.

Some of this is probably incomplete. It's what I know about.

2004 & 2005 are virtually identical. The only potential difference is the rear wiper. It was an option in 2004 and standard in 2005. So its absence indicates a 2004.

2006 and 2007, AFAIK, are also virtually (maybe entirely) identical. The easiest way for me to differentiate them from 04 & 05 is the added Hybrid badge on the front fenders. They also changed the color of the cross-member in the top grill to chrome (versus matching the body color), and changed the background of the topmost rear light housing from black to chrome. There may have been a similar subtle change to the headlights -- I can't remember. Finally, there was a small air dam added below the front bumper, though it's not obvious at all.

Can't comment on the 2008 models. I haven't seen one that I know of, and I haven't read of any exterior differences described.

EDIT: After reading Subarutoo's post it reminded me that the Touring version was not available before 2006, so those wheels also place it into the 06/07 (and maybe 08) category.

[hyo silver]

Oh, that kinda date. I was going to comment about how the tail lights tend to droop over the years, but never mind...

[KTPhil]

2005 added headliner holding "buttons" to the ceiling.

[qbee42]

Keep in mind that no Prius is old enough to be an adult, consenting Prius, so watch what you do on that date if you don't want to end up on some sex offenders list. I think it's called auto-erotica.

Tom

[NoMoShocks]

If you can get close enough, I believe the model year is included in the alpha numeric code embossed on the Taillight lenses, but I may be Dating Myself.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 14 2007, 01:51 PM) [snapback]539624[/snapback]</div>

Keep in mind that no Prius is old enough to be an adult, consenting Prius, so watch what you do on that date if you don't want to end up on some sex offenders list. I think it's called auto-erotica.

Tom
[/b]

Tom, are you sure Prius years are not closer to Dog years than people years? That could make a four year lod Prius equivalent to about 28 human years.

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Nov 14 2007, 04:14 PM) [snapback]539600[/snapback]</div>

Oh, that kinda date. I was going to comment about how the tail lights tend to droop over the years, but never mind... [/b]

Not as bad as the front end. That's why mine has a bra. :P

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stpauler @ Nov 14 2007, 11:44 AM) [snapback]539579[/snapback]</div>

I mean, not pick it up at its house with candy and flowers and see a drive-in movie. Although that would be nice... I'm talking about driving down a road and seeing another Prius and saying that that one's an '06 because the tail lights are shaped that way for that year.

So what are the exterior physical differences in the years?
[/b]

2005 (over the 2004). Basically look inside lol. If it has two buttons on the roof, it's a 2005. Otherwise, it's hard to know

2006. The headlighs, chrome brakelight surround, chrome grille and all Touring Editions

2007 no change

2008 no change


In Canada, a Magnetic Grey is a 2007 model and a Touring is a 2008 model (All 2008 models in Canada are Touring Editions now)