What is best?

That's totally subjective.

We opted for the 2015 model even when the 2016 was available. First we saved a ton of money as Toyota was having a clearance sale. Second I don't like the features of the 2016 (white bone colored accents, loss of cubby holes for storage, loss of 2nd glove box, etc.).

Were I to buy today I'd be looking at the Prius Prime but it has issues for me as well; White accents, smaller cargo space, loss of 5th seat, no spare tire. When I did the calculations the Prime wouldn't save me money on gas due to the EV. Our electricity rate is 15 cents / KWh. At the present price of gas and that high electricity cost there is no big advantage. The price is very attractive, and the government credits make the Prime one of the best buys on the market.

Everyone will have their hot buttons.

 

The one that you feel is right for you

 

That's like your wife asking, "Does this dress make me look fat?"

Just looking at safety and efficiency, each generation is better than the one before. But the rest is just a matter of which outstanding features are most important to you. Opinions are like derrieres; everyone has one.

 

gen 1 was great back in the day. gen 2 was a paradigm shift. gen 3 had less storage and more rattles, and gen 4 has no storage, but independent rear suspension. best? the one you're driving.

 

gen 2 may have been the best. i still yearn for a few things it had, and my '04 and '08 are rock solid. no rattles, no problems, great mpg's and tons of utility. if they had only had an aftermarket console for the dead space in front of the cupholder.

 

I passed on the gen 3 because I found the handling left a lot to be desired. I do like that car though. My gen 4, however, really zips around LA while getting great gas mileage in stop and go traffic. It's a completely different animal than the previous generations as far as handling and overall agility is concerned.

Looks are subjective, but I find the gen 4 to be by far the most beautiful prius and I think people's tastes are catching up to the design the more they see the car. I know mine did.

 

When the fourth gen was unveiled, I found myself looking back, from the perpective of our 3rd gen, at the 2nd gen, with greater appreciation. The 2nd gen seems most "true to it's school", methinks. With the 3rd gen styling there was a glimmer of the madness to come, lol: but at least it was restrained.

When the 4th gen came out the game was over for me: no like.

 

I bought a 2009 when the 2010 was available as I distrust 'all new' in a car, now that 2017s are out, they aren't all new.

The newest one you can afford will be the most trouble free, but still I would avoid the first years: 2001,2004, 2010, 2016.

 

I think 2017+ Gen 4 are the best since they benefit from all the experimentation of older versions and come standard with the most safety features.

 

Agree about the safety features. They are great and unobtrusive. There's a very very good chance they save me from a close call at some point during my ownership of the vehicle. Especially living in a congested city like LA.

 

If I may ask, what sort of engine problems did you encounter!

 

I put a small cardboard box there. Works great!

 

I have a gen 3 and my brother's wife has a gen 2. When I was looking I wanted a gen 3 for better fuel mileage and a little bit bigger engine. Having driven hers I can see why people really like the gen 2s- they have a good feel to them and are extremely durable. I still prefer my gen 3 though. Gen 2 has better storage options and backseat room, gen 4 supposedly has much better handling and driving dynamics (haven't tried one yet), and is easier to get great MPG with, and gen 3 is kind of in the middle. Totally subjective, but I like the gen 3 looks the best. And gen 4 loses a couple of nice things like the upper glove box and the HVAC controls on the wheel (I use those a lot)

 

Gen 4 loses the storage tray under the hatch floor too, IIRC.

Also, the lower levels get a cheapie hatch cover, and level 4 nixes the spare tire.

 

Actually that storage tray is a big reason I prefer my gen 3. I keep a ton of stuff in there (car repair stuff like a lug wrench, compressor, and jump pack) and I wouldn't want to give that up

 

Gen 1 was a guinea pig. A prototype for early adopters to try out.

Gen 2 was the car Toyota needed to convince average buyers that they should have a hybrid. Built the best car they could, to the highest standards they could build it.

Gen 3 was a replacement car for gen 2 buyers. Selling a hybrid, it no longer needed to be the best car it could be, folks were ready for hybrids.

Gen 4 is for people who want the newest with all the fancy toys.