Best Used Toyotas Under $10,000 for Fuel Efficiency (2025 Guide)

Toyota has built a reputation for unmatched reliability and fuel economy, especially when it comes to their compact cars and hybrids. If your budget caps at $10,000 in 2025 and you want something efficient and dependable, there are several Toyota models still worth buying that will keep your gas bills low and repair costs even lower.

I’ve put together the top fuel-efficient used Toyotas under $10K that are widely available, known to go 200,000+ miles, and easy on your wallet both at the pump and in the shop.

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🚗 1. 2010–2013 Toyota Prius (Gen 3)

• MPG: 51 city / 48 highway
• Why It’s a Smart Buy: The Gen 3 Prius is one of the most fuel-efficient cars ever made, and by 2025 it’s finally dipped well below $10,000 — even for mid-trim models with decent mileage. With the hybrid battery lasting 150k–200k miles and replacements now under $1,000, it’s the best balance of MPG and longevity.
• Price Range: $6,500–$9,500
• What to Watch For: Make sure the EGR system and hybrid battery have been serviced or inspected.

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🚗 2. 2006–2009 Toyota Prius (Gen 2)

• MPG: 44 city / 48 highway
• Why It’s a Smart Buy: Older, yes — but extremely reliable. These Priuses are all over the road for a reason. You can pick one up for as little as $4,000 in good condition, and they’re perfect for city driving or delivery work.
• Price Range: $3,500–$6,500
• What to Watch For: Oil burning and failing combination meters (the dashboard display) are common but inexpensive to fix.

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🚗 3. 2009–2013 Toyota Corolla

• MPG: 26 city / 35 highway
• Why It’s a Smart Buy: The Corolla is Toyota’s most iconic compact sedan. It’s not a hybrid, but it’s cheap to insure, easy to maintain, and still gives you strong MPG for a non-electric powertrain.
• Price Range: $5,000–$8,000
• What to Watch For: Weak engine mounts and leaky valve covers — but these are minor, cheap fixes.

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🚗 4. 2007–2012 Toyota Yaris (Sedan or Hatch)

• MPG: 29 city / 36 highway
• Why It’s a Smart Buy: If you’re looking for simplicity, the Yaris is about as basic (in a good way) as cars get. Excellent city fuel economy, low maintenance costs, and great resale value. The hatchback is easier to park, the sedan offers more trunk space.
• Price Range: $4,000–$7,000
• What to Watch For: Very basic interiors and some models have no power windows — but less to break.

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🚗 5. 2012–2014 Toyota Prius c

• MPG: 53 city / 46 highway
• Why It’s a Smart Buy: This is the smaller cousin of the regular Prius, built with city driving in mind. It’s got better gas mileage in urban settings and still fits 4 adults comfortably. The hybrid system is simpler and the car is lighter.
• Price Range: $7,000–$10,000
• What to Watch For: Smaller battery than the full-size Prius, so check battery life remaining.

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📊 Comparison Table: Best Used Toyotas Under $10K for MPG

Model	Years	MPG (City/Hwy)	Avg Price (2025)	Strengths	Things to Watch
Prius (Gen 3)	2010–2013	51 / 48	$6.5k–$9.5k	Highest MPG, roomy hatch	Battery, EGR clogging
Prius (Gen 2)	2006–2009	44 / 48	$3.5k–$6.5k	Cheapest reliable hybrid	Oil burn, dashboard glitches
Corolla	2009–2013	26 / 35	$5k–$8k	Super cheap to run, bulletproof	Suspension noise, old tech
Yaris	2007–2012	29 / 36	$4k–$7k	Great city car, very low upkeep	Sparse features, road noise
Prius c	2012–2014	53 / 46	$7k–$10k	Compact, top-tier urban MPG	Smaller hybrid battery

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🧰 Final Buying Tips

• Stick to base or mid trims — fewer electronics means fewer repairs.
• Avoid flood titles or ex-Uber units — they’ve seen rough usage.
• Ask for hybrid battery health reports for any Prius or Prius c.
• Look for service records on older Corollas and Yaris models.

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