You may also save money on repairs and maintenance. The more miles driven, the quicker the payback. At $3 a gallon, the payback period increases to five years. Today, improved technology and higher gas prices mean the average payback is four years with gas at $4 a gallon and 12,000 miles driven a year. In 2015 CR calculated that most hybrids took eight years to pay for themselves through fuel savings, with some, including the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid and Lexus RX450h, taking more than a decade. Today’s average hybrid costs about $1,700 more, but the Ford Maverick pickup and Lexus NX SUV hybrids actually have lower sticker prices than gas-only versions. Programming, as we all know, costs a lot.Hybrid technology has generally meant comparatively higher sticker prices, though fuel savings can defray costs over time.

What makes it pricier is the transponder that can communicate electronically with the vehicle itself for theft prevention. After all, the convenience and efficiency of the key replacement will be worth all that cash paid.įor the Prius owner, however, the key replacement is always priced higher since the design is pretty much sophisticated and very customized. This price might be ridiculous for people who are trying to spend less, but it is worth it. The complexity and price even vary from car to car.Īt present, the most affordable price tag for a smart key replacement is $300. Lightning Locksmith’s Steve Howard spelled it out for us. It will never be an option for modern cars anymore. Why does it cost more to have a Toyota Prius smart key replaced?Īs mentioned earlier, the smart key has a more intricate design, so what used to be an inexpensive trip to the local locksmith is not possible for your Prius. Who knows, your Prius might have some other issues? You might as well have the vehicle tuned-up for a more stellar performance. However, if those options are not available, then it’s high time for you to visit the nearest Toyota dealer. You’d be surprised at their workmanship and expertise.

There are smart key replacement specialists online who will not charge you a hefty amount for the replacement.

All car owners are aware that services done in the dealer shops are usually costlier than those done by independent contractors or vehicle repair shops.īefore you visit the nearest Toyota dealer for a key replacement, spend a few minutes contacting local vehicle repair shops.

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