Ford Taurus vs Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is more fuel-efficient at 46 MPG combined, against 20 MPG for the Ford Taurus. At EPA assumptions that is about $1,900 less in fuel per year. (Comparison uses each model's most efficient version.)
Side by side
| Ford Taurus | Toyota Prius | |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints (NHTSA) | 1,005 | 1,298 |
| Most reported problem | Cruise control | Lighting |
| Crashes and fires | 62 and 13 | 133 and 5 |
| Typical mileage at complaint | 90,000 miles | 78,000 miles |
| Recalls | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel economy, combined | 20 MPG | 46 MPG |
| City and highway | 18 and 25 | 48 and 45 |
| Yearly fuel cost (EPA) | $3,350 | $1,450 |
What the numbers say
NHTSA has 1,005 complaints for the Ford Taurus and 1,298 for the Toyota Prius. Complaint counts depend heavily on how many of each vehicle were sold, so a higher count does not by itself mean a less reliable car.
Safety recalls on file: 0 for the Ford Taurus, 6 for the Toyota Prius.