Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: Jul 29, 2009

Third-generation 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

The history behind the 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid car is quite interesting. It is still surprising that many people thought the 2010 model was a first-generation hybrid. In fact, this is a third-generation that was just released in April.

First-Generation

The Toyota Hybrid was first sold in Japan in 1997. The vehicle was then distributed all over the world by 2001. The original Prius is still on the road today and many owners are still using the original batteries and hybrid components that came with the vehicle. It was a huge success for Toyota that prompted a higher demand for a second-generation model.

Second-Generation

The second-generation debuted in 2003 with many changes. This was still at a time when gas prices were still reasonable and the hybrid market was just starting. Most Americans were still buying gasoline conventional automobiles, but the Prius was about to get a new facelift.

By fall of 2006, the Toyota Prius had the strongest demand and the longest pre-order and waiting list for any car. This was the beginning of something big and the automaker decided to build the third-generation from the bottom up. Nobody knew at the time that gas prices would soar to record highs as they did in the summer of 2008.

Third-Generation

Toyota unveiled the third generation Prius at the Detroit auto show in January 2009. The automaker had more than 80,000 pre-orders before the sedan debuted in April 2009. The hybrid immediately took the number one spot away from the Honda Insight to become the top-selling vehicle in Japan.

Despite the added power and size, the 2010 Prius becomes the only vehicle available today to offer 50 miles per gallon in combined mileage for city and highway. It marked a historic change in the auto industry where consumers do favor mileage over luxury. The Toyota hybrid does offer comfort, but it's no Lexus.

The Prius has an internal combustion engine (ICE) which is unusually small for a sedan of this size. In addition to being downsized, the Prius engine uses many techniques to improve efficiency and broaden the range of conditions under which high efficiency is achieved. With an EPA-estimated combined city/highway rating of 55 mpg, the ECO-friendly Prius is an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle that's sporty and fun to drive.

Several states now give Prius owners carpool lane privileges as it is one of the most advanced mass-produced hybrid-electric automobiles in the world. The car is becoming an icon and perhaps one of the first vehicles to spin the idea of using batteries to power an electric motor. Several rental places are now offering the Toyota Prius at an affordable rate.