Smoking Hot Deal – New 2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE for $15,787 + TTL and Reg

Hi All:

A 2026 update as the 21 Prius Prime surpassed 378k miles...

KBB finally came up with a more realistic TIV for a 21 Prius Prime with 378k miles. The TCO/mile calculation increased by just over a penny. ​

Just $850 TIV in Good condition which appears to be much more realistic than $7.8k from the 350k mile update.​

Which brings us to the latest TCO calcs.

For the 378k mile update, I performed two DIY OCs, consumed fuel to drive 27.9k miles, plus 5 TN Home charges at $0.169/kWh ($5.07) and one free Volta to drive 192 miles.

This period's fuel and electricity cost(s):

Gasoline: 27.9k miles at 71 mpg = 392.9 gallons at an average price of $2.87/gallon = $1,127.62
Electricity: 192 miles from 5 full 6.1 kWh charges at $0.169/kWh = $5.07

M&R additions: (2) DIY Synthetic OCs: $63.00

All in costs from new through 378k miles

Fuel Cost(s) to date: $16,370 for gasoline and $357 for electricity = $16,727
Depreciation - $14,937
Insurance - $3,700
Maintenance and Repair - $2,896
CA TTL - $2,673
TN Plates and Registration - $604

Total Cost of ownership = $41,537 or $0.109/mile after 378.1k miles.

Fuel still costs real $s but this period I experienced some of the lowest fuel costs since driving it off the lot. And I still not dare plug in in CA due to the $0.50.kWh rates. While I expect a major repair to appear every time I push the start button, so far, nothing. Not even a brake job.

Wayne

 

Hi Dave J.:

You are welcome!

DriveYourWay87, that big Li-Ion pack has been a regenerative gold mine for sure. Using the brakes far less less than most is where the savings really occur.

The 2021 Prius Prime now has over 383k miles but this post will not be about that.

I have a full round trip TCO on a 2010 Prius that Jesse R. sold this morning. I may have a few minor edits but this is really close to the actual.

2010 Toyota Prius


Parked along the road in Stuttgart, AR.​

Purchased for $3k with 207,311 and sold for $4k at 244,810 miles.

KBB shows the following TIV and PP values for this 2010 Prius III in Fair/Good condition.

TIV: $850/$1,400
PP: $3,005/$3,955

Depreciation: - $1k over 37,499 miles and 9-months of ownership
TTL and Reg: $350
Maintenance and Repair included the following: $490 (OCs) + $60 (air and cabin filters) + $25 (wipers) + $100 (coolant swap) + $360 (plugs and coils) + $700 (HV Junction block) + $250 (used tires) + $540 (rental cars for pickup and when broken down on the road plus the fuel to drive them back and forth) + $50 (alignment) + car washes ($135) = $2,780
Fuel over 37,499 miles at 45 mpg at (833.3 gallons) at ~ $2.70/gallon = $2,250
Insurance: $1,312

Total cost of $5,692 over 37,499 miles = $0.152/mile. Not bad for purchasing a Prius with that many miles and possible maintenance headaches or being stranded somewhere a possibility. The new HV Junction box and extra rental car caused exactly that. Most well used vehicles have a TCO measured with a 3 or 4 handle vs a 1.5 handle like this one did given the low upfront price he picked it up for.

Wayne

 

Hi All:

Last Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime made it to 400k miles. There is nothing really new to report outside of fuel and an oil change since the last update...

​

The TIV has increased a tad since the last update from $850 to $1,470. Gas prices more than likely provided that KBB used car TIV despite the miles. The TCO was helped by this increase but harmed by the higher fuel prices since the 378k mile update in early February.

The updated TCO calcs look like this.

For the 400k mile update, I performed one DIY OC, consumed fuel to drive 22k miles, plus another 5 TN Home charges at $0.169/kWh ($5.07) to drive 170 miles.

This period's fuel and electricity cost(s):

Gasoline: 21,686 miles at 80.3 mpg = 270 gallons at an average price of $4.28/gallon = $ 1,157
Electricity: 170 miles from 5 full 6.1 kWh charges at $0.169/kWh = $5.07

M&R additions: (1) DIY Synthetic OCs: $32.00

All in costs from new through 400k miles:

• Fuel Cost(s) to date: $17,527 for gasoline and $362 for electricity = $17,889
• Depreciation - $14,317
• Insurance - $3,700
• Maintenance and Repair - $2,928
• CA TTL and Registration - $2,673
• TN Plates and Registration - $604

Total Cost of ownership = $42,111 or $0.105/mile after 400k miles.

Fuel is obviously the highest cost over the last 5 plus years with some of the highest prices any of us have ever paid over a given period. The slightly higher TIV took some of the bite out of that metrics addition.

While I am still expecting a major repair to appear every time I push the start button, so far, nothing. Not even a brake job.

Wayne