Interesting poll that, very low failure rate even when well up in the mileage.

How do you know its a £2k fix, isn't there a battery rebuild service for Toyota hybrids yet, i'm sure i read about someone in this country doing so for Honda hybrid batteries so it's probably on the cards if not already up and running.

Even if it was £2k, if that's the only major bill after about 8/10 years and some 150k miles in order to give it another 150k mile potential, then when you compare to an equivalent model Diesel it's still winning...a typical Diesel manual will probably need a clutch and DMF in the same time frame @ possibly similar money, if the Diesel is a DSG or other weirdo auto then the repair costs will possibly make that £2k look like a bargain, and we haven't even touched on the various expensive ills foibles and failures of modern Diesel engines.

I know you weren't asking for a comparison with Diesel, but trying to put the battery failure cost worry into context.

Where to buy?...that would depend on the offer, the genuine warranty in the case of a Toyota dealer (might be too old for most Toyota dealers), the worthless warranty in most cases of the general used car site, and your own mechanical knowledge whether you feel confident to buy privately.

The Jazz gets around 47MPG apparently: www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/honda/jazz-2008

I can't see the Prius doing much better unless the vast majority of your journeys are short town trips on elec only.www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/toyota/prius-2003

Plus if you're keeping it for ten years, chances are you will have to change the batteries at some point...

I'd choose the Jazz myself

With Toyota one can extend the Toyota warranty up to the car's 10th birthday. As regards the battery, Toyota dealers will carry out a hybrid health check as part of a service, and if the battery is OK, the health check extends the warranty on the hybrid battery for a year. One can also have the hybrid health check done separately to a service at a cost of £39, and this will also come with a one year warranty extension on the battery. If a hybrid health check is undertaken immediately prior to the car's 10th birthday, the battery warranty extension will take one up to almost 11 years.

See www.toyota.co.uk/service-and-maintenance/hybrid-he...k

Edited by Auristocrat on 13/03/2015 at 19:41

Hi, I couldn't believe this topic existst :-)

I have a 2007 Prius T-Spirit, and the other half has a Honda Jazz Hybrid (62 reg)

Overall, the Prius is technically and mpg wise a much better car, although the Jaz is also very nice, equipped well, and well put together.

I bought the prius with 90,000 miles on the clock, and it now has 185,000 ( with just basic oil and filter changes ) - new 12v battery ( known issues ) but original engine and hybrid system/battery. It still drives like new although it does like a sip of oil every now and then.

The Jaz we bought from new, and it now has 30,000 miles and also hasn't missed a beat. it struggles to get above 60mpg on a long run, and is much worse around town - usually mid 40's to mid 50's depending. The prius rarely AVERAGES below 60 on a full tank. Only long 70mph+ motorway runs see the economy drop a little - where the Jazz is actually comparable.

Inside, there is more room in the prius, the boot is not as tall, but is deeper front to back. The're more legroom for tall drivers, and tall passengers who sit behind them in the Prius.

There is a suggestion that what kills the prius batteries are high temperatures - there have been a number reported from high temperature states in the USA, but few relatively in the UK.

There was also an issue with Civic hybrid batteries, not sure if this applies to the Jazz