Toyota Prius Through Years
Although the first-generation Prius went on sale in Japan in December 1997, it didn't arrive on U.S. shores until June 2000. Its only competitor at the time was Honda's Insight hybrid, which launched six months earlier.
Toyota Prius Through Years
The first-gen Prius combined a 1.5L Atkinson cycle 4-cyl. gasoline engine with a 44-hp electric motor. Combined fuel economy was 41 mpg. The car's propulsion system made the 2001 Ward's 10 Best Engines list. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/10-best-engines)
Toyota Prius Through Years
The car's initial success surprised the industry. As a Tokyo-based auto analyst said upon the Prius' 10th anniversary, "We didn't see how Toyota could lower hybrid system costs to a point where the car was both affordable and didn't lose money." Both the first- and second-gen models began at $19,995 in the U.S. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/toyota-prius-turns-10)
Toyota Prius Through Years
The second-generation Prius debuted in 2003 as an '04, ushering in the jellybean, aerodynamic shape synonymous with the term "hybrid."
Toyota Prius Through Years
The second-gen Prius' cabin with its hallmark floating center stack, creating space for women to store their purses. Reviewers took issue with the largely hard-plastic interior trim.
Toyota Prius Through Years
Tiny tires are seen on the second-gen Prius. Sales of the hybrid surpassed the six-figure-mark for the first time in 2005, with 107,897 delivered, WardsAuto data shows, more than double 2004 volume. Sales in the first-gen's inaugural year of 2000 tallied just 5,562.
Toyota Prius Through Years
The second-gen Prius was refreshed for '06 with restyled headlights and offered for the first time a leather-seating package with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A rear backup camera also was optional.
Toyota Prius Through Years
Restyled taillights on refreshed '06 Prius hint at what's to come on third-gen model. By fall 2006, Toyota had set its sights on selling 175,000 Priuses in the U.S. the following year. It surpassed the goal, with 2007 sales of 181,000. That's still the liftback body style's pinnacle. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/toyota-sets-lofty-prius-sales-goals)
Toyota Prius Through Years
The circa '07-'09 Prius engine bay. The second-gen retained the original's 1.5L 4-cyl., but horsepower grew to 76 hp from 70 hp. Electric motor output also rose to 67 hp or 295 lb.-ft. Fuel economy averaged 46 mpg. The Prius again made Ward's 10 Best Engines list, this time in 2004. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/toyota-15l-dohc-i-4)
Toyota Prius Through Years
Bob Carter, then group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Div. in the U.S., posed alongside the third-generation '10 Prius, which debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A year later Carter and Jim Lentz, Toyota's senior-most U.S. executive, were at the center of the automaker's recall scandal, which ensnared the Prius. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/ar/toyota_prius_cruise_100322)
Toyota Prius Through Years
The third-gen Prius wore the most daring styling yet, with numerous character lines and creases. By the time of its 2009 debut, the car was firmly entrenched as the best-selling hybrid globally and in the U.S. However, after the recession Toyota had modest sales goals for the first year of the '10 model, 100,000 in the U.S. Sales in 2009 did a bit better, at nearly 140,000.
Toyota Prius Through Years
The '10 Prius' cabin represented an upgrade from the '09 model. Gone was the floating center stack, although a cubby below held purses. The shifter moved from the steering column to the center console. Trim still was hard plastic, but we liked its attractive leaf-like texture.
Toyota Prius Through Years
The third-gen Prius got a 90%-new Hybrid Synergy Drive system, complete with a bigger 4-cyl., a 1.8L, mated to more powerful electric motors. Combined fuel economy rose to 50 mpg, although at the car's media preview WardsAuto hypermiled our way to 70 mpg. The new 1.8L also made our 10 Best Engines list. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/new-prius-tough-beat)
Toyota Prius Through Years
The third-gen Prius' large combination-meter screen shows the car's Touch Tracer system in use. The round icons mimic controls on the steering wheel, allowing users to hover fingertips over buttons to see what they're doing without having to look down.
Toyota Prius Through Years
The Prius family, circa 2011. Due to the liftback's success, Toyota released the Prius V wagon (lower left) in 2011, then followed it up a year later with the Prius C (shown in concept form, lower right). The Prius Plug-In Hybrid (top left) debuted in 2012. (See related story: http://wardsauto.com/management-amp-strategy/more-prius-hybrids-way-toyota-exec-predicts)