What is your best Guess of how long a Prius Gen III will last?

It's a bit of a toughie. I voted 300K+ but it depends on definition on "last".

I'd hope that a Gen 3 can make it that far on the original engine and power split device/transaxle. What if it doesn't? Does that mean it didn't last?

Same for the HV battery. I'd imagine it could in a climate that isn't too hot (e.g. Phoenix) or too hilly but I wouldn't be surprised if it needs replacement before 250K miles in such environments.

 

I would say years more than miles will take the toll. If someone is driving 30,000+ miles a year it probably is 300K+. If someone is driving 10,000 miles a year though, I expect the battery will go long before that, and you may scrap it for something you like better instead of replacing it.

 

BTW, just for some context, Lifespan/Operating costs - Prius Wiki has some examples of long lasting Priusus, mostly Gen 2. Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Hybrid Electric Vehicles took their Gen 3s (and 2s) to 160K miles w/o any major problems.

 

I voted 300,000+ but I must add caveats.

Those cars we see getting 300,000 miles are driven almost constantly. So they are not seeing many winter/summer/winter temperature swings. One can't help but suspect that 10 years of winter/summer/winter will have some impact regardless of mileage.

Cars which never turn off have batteries that are being constantly pampered by the computers, leaving your battery in a state of discharge for 3 weeks until you drive it again may shorten battery life in ways we would not see in taxis.

I am not sure that for normal drivers (9 to 5 at work, 15,000 miles a year, commuters) I would not shorten my guess to 200,000.

 

Art's Automotive, which is another renowned hybrid specialist, said on their Facebook page last week that 10 yrs appears to be the magic # for battery life. They have also expressed some serious warnings about hybrid ownership due to the exposure from the added components.


iPhone ?

 

Hopefully my 2012 Gen III will last for 300k. Right now I have a whopping 199 miles. I drive roughly 25k miles/yr. It was a no-brainer to trade in my 08 Solara for the Prius-since gas shot to $4 this last week.

 

EV mode it great. Would be nice to have at least a thirty mile range, Many could do a work round trip, or at least run daily errands on that number. I just completed my 240v line at work this past Sunday. Hopefully, I'll have my factory charge cable back from EVSE Upgrade tomorrow. My plan is to do EV mode only on my 9.8 mile one way work commute, both directions. With my reasonable work commute and yearly miles driven, I didn't need a hybrid. But I wanted one. The same is true with my Prius Plug-In.

I don't wish higher gas prices on the masses. But, we've been riding this roller coaster since 1973. At least I have. I'm weaning myself off higher dollar, low fuel mileage cars.

 

Define lifespan!

There is a guy with near 3 millions miles volvo, but he rebuilt the engine a few times and carries a trunkfull of spare parts: 3 million mile Volvo: Long Island man's P1800S won't quit (+video) - CSMonitor.com

 

I guess if I want to vote for 225,000, I'm out of luck?

 

As long as there are spare parts available and the owner is willing to do minor -- and major -- repairs. Or until rustout or major collision.

I believe that someone in Canada had published vehicle age at the time of junking according to manufacturer.

 

I have a 2003 Honda CR-V, I'm the original owner.
That car didn't start off using synthetic oil, long life anti-freeze, has a serpentine belt for the accessories, etc.
It now has 165,000 miles on it and still runs like a champ. If that car can make 200,000+ easily, I fully expect the Gen III Prius to exceed that by a considerable amount.

 

Could you please explain what " They have also expressed some serious warnings about hybrid ownership due to the exposure from the added components" means. Thanks