The Highest-Mileage Toyota Prius Hybrid In The World In 2024

The Toyota Prius has become synonymous with long-lasting quality, fuel efficiency, good pricing, and a more recent redesign. Of course, it’s not every day that you encounter a Prius that’s traveled half a million miles or more, as most people swap out their cars for the newest model: Which is where this story comes into play.

What started as a normal car sale at a dealership in South Carolina would become a tale of true Toyota prowess when it comes to the actual mileage you can achieve with this hybrid. Nowadays, hybrids and PHEVs are all the rage, and for good reason. With this technology becoming most popular in the 2010s, we’ve only watched Toyota continue to dominate the sector.

Most people prefer the idea of semi-electric driving versus full battery reliance, which Prius helped normalize worldwide. When this car debuted in Japan in 1997 and in North America in 2000, it became an icon for those wanting something greener and better for their everyday gas spending. Fast-forward to the 2020s, and a Prius that had been in pretty decent shape rolled onto this dealer’s lot, and its odometer claimed a whopping 546,896 miles on the clock. Who said Prius was boring? Not us!

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from CCV TV YouTube, and other authoritative sources, including CarBuzz and the EPA.

How This Prius Went Almost 550,000 Miles

This story begins at Southern Motor Company in Charleston, SC, and proves that the Toyota Prius (2017 edition) is genuinely a beast long-term. This dealership sells new and used cars, so when a person drove onto the lot hoping to sell their 2017 Prius hybrid, the employees were not only blown away at how far this car had driven, but also how CLEAN it was.

Usually, you see people use the Prius for taxi and rideshare driving because of its fuel efficiency, so this could explain the extended mileage. Because this vehicle is a hybrid and was a newer edition of Prius, the interior and exterior were fairly modern and on par with current standards (minus half a million miles on the odometer).

The Dealership Manager Couldn’t Believe His Eyes

Randy Kennedy, the manager at Southern Motor Company, recalls the moment they laid eyes on this remarkable Prius.

“When the owner saw this car come up, he thought the mileage was a typo. Then he saw how clean it was, he was like, ‘I don’t care if we make a dollar on this. We can use it as a runner or sell it. It’s too fun not to buy,'” recounts Kennedy.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill situation, as most used Prius have >100,000 miles from that era, so this was an unusual day for a car salesman. Again, if there’s one thing Toyota can and will accomplish, it’s a long-running vehicle.

You’ve Got To Love The 2017 Prius Hybrid (This Owner Sure Did)

One thing about this story that makes sense is that most Prius owners tend to keep their cars around for many years. Of course, this model had about five years of ownership to its name and averaged over 100,000 miles annually if we’re doing quick math, making this a dream machine for road trips.

However, this was *likely* an Uber or Lyft, bringing thousands of passengers from point A to B. Another fun discovery made at Southern Motor Company was that despite its staggering mileage, the vehicle’s charging system, battery, and hybrid setup continue to function flawlessly. That alone is the best PR Toyota could ever ask for. Seriously, NOBODY makes cars like that anymore. Well, expect Toyota.

Used Prius Models Often Don’t Feel Used At All

Although many outlets will tell you that 2013 and beyond was the golden era of Prius, this model continues to dominate the new and used market. Because Prius doesn’t change its look dramatically often, most people don’t know your 2017 model isn’t from a year or two ago.

That, plus the impressive gas efficiency these have always been known for, is why Prius is a great first or second-hand purchase. You don’t have to hit 500,000+ miles in your Prius, but after this dealership story: You at least know it’s an option. After all, the Prius has seen major improvements in the last five years, with 2017 (the Prius with 546,896 miles) being the beginning of the ‘new’ face of the nameplate.

2017 Toyota Prius Specs

(Table data sourced from Toyota and Cars.com)

The MPGs On The 2017 Prius Explain This Half-Million Mile Mark

Adding to the fact this used Prius saw almost 550,000 miles on the odometer when it rolled onto a South Carolina car dealer’s lot, it’s worth noting how this could have happened. First, the 2017 edition of the Prius offered up to 56 combined miles per gallon, boasting 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. That alone could explain how a person could use this car, whether for work or personal driving, to reach half a million miles in five-ish years.

This story broke in 2022, with the car now beyond the 550,000-mile mark. That’s incredible to think the vehicle is STILL enjoying new pavement. The EPA also rated the standard 2017 Prius 52 combined MPGs, so either release that year meant many, many, many miles per gallon driven.

If You Love Reliability: Prius Is Your New Favorite Hybrid

Regarding the Prius’s overall reliability, this is a model that has consistently been scored in the top percentile for lifespan, gas usage, and build quality. After all, the Prius family is a great value option for new or veteran drivers, also doubling as one of the most popular and recognizable rideshare and taxi models in the world.

You see endless yellow cabs in NYC being Prius’s, even trickling down to Uber or Lyfts in small towns and villages throughout the US, Asia, Europe, etc. According to J.D. Power, the 2017 Prius scored a whopping 83/100, standing out for its performance and quality.

There’s Something Wonderfully Simple About The Toyota Prius

Not only does this story remind us of how important the Toyota Prius is for hybrid driving, but it also goes to show the continued love and success of the nameplate in the modern era. We’re not talking about a new model here, as the Prius has seen US roads for almost 25 years.

On top of that, with 550,000 miles down and perhaps another half-million in its system, who knows how far this South Carolina 2017 Prius Hybrid will go? At this rate, we wouldn’t be shocked if it cleared one million total miles. Not every person is able to keep their car as clean and functional as this owner/owners did for five-plus years, although it goes to show that the better you care for your vehicle, the longer you can expect it to drive.

What The Mystery 550,000-Mile Prius Went For

Despite its exceptional pedigree, this Prius was available for purchase at a surprisingly modest price of $10,989. A testament to its enduring value, the vehicle has already attracted interest from prospective buyers eager to own a piece of automotive history. There’s not much more on this story, as the Prius eventually sold and found a new person to call its owner, but we will be ready to cover the next Prius that goes the extra mile (or 500,000). Who doesn’t love a happy ending? We sure do.