The Toyota Prius is a sensation in the hybrid car world, regardless of whether car fans like the exterior design. Its fuel economy, safety ratings, great price, and generous legroom contribute to its success. When people hear the word "hybrid," an image of this praised car most likely comes to mind.

First released in Japan in 1997, the Prius has enjoyed success that shows no signs of lagging and continues to have high sales. There's a reason why the Prius is so popular in the United States, even after 20 years. There are more positive qualities than negative, and Toyota released the car when the price of gas reached an unprecedented number. Americans loved the car because the hybrid Prius had a more reasonable price than other cars and guaranteed comfort for passengers.

We're explaining how America's economic situation and the Prius's dependability led to the car's prosperity.

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Toyota Was The First Change-Maker

A 2000 Toyota Prius stands parked on a road.
Via: Honest John

Toyota was the automaker that spearheaded the hybrid car revolution, as they brainstormed ideas for the future in 1992 and wanted to create a bestselling car that adapts to modern times. Hence, Toyota could be credited with the hybrid car creation. Ford also released hybrid cars, but their release date was after Toyota's and it was Toyota who created a detailed plan first.

In 1997, the Toyota Prius debuted in Japan. The name Prius means to go before in Latin. Even the name hinted at how Toyota was going to transform into a resourceful and innovative company. It was introduced to the United States in 2000 after it was heavily examined in 1999. Yes, there was a drawback: It took the Prius 16 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. But its performance wasn't the Prius's selling point. It was the car's sustainability that appealed to people.

The Prius had a major design change in 2003, and sales increased in 2005. Over 180,000 cars were sold in 2007. In 2008, 20,000 cars were sold monthly. Since the Prius's debut, over 4.3 million models were sold. Nowadays, the Prius is available in over 40 countries.

The Prius Has Amazing EPA & Reliability

A blue 2019 Toyota Prius stands parked on a road.
Via: Car Buzz

The most captivating characteristic of the Prius is its mighty fuel economy. The Prius premiered in the U.S. at a pivotal moment: Gas prices were soaring. Hybrid cars were more attractive options than standard gas cars because they could drive longer distances without frequent refueling. Owners saved both time and money.

A Car and Driver article reports that even the 2021 Prius Eco has 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway.

As if the great mileage wasn't enough, this car is additionally one of the safest vehicles on the road: It got five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Prius a 2018 Top Safety Pick. Owners can leave it to Toyota to create trust-worthy cars.

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The Prius Has An Affordable Price

A red 2021 Toyota Prius is on a parking spot.
Via: Inside EVs

The starting price for a Prius in the early 2000s was roughly $20,000. The 2021 model costs $25,520. Both of these prices are inexpensive. Such a cost effective price meant that a greater portion of the population could afford this car. The low price made Toyota a more inclusive company.

One of the best characteristics of this hybrid car is the generous amount of interior space. The Prius is comfortable for tall drivers and has amazing legroom for those seating in the backseat. The trunk provides enough room to store suitcases and duffel bags. The nice interior space is great for long distance trips: Drivers won't exactly be the ones in the fastest car on the highways, but they'll be comfortable and pleasant seating makes journeys easier.

The Prius is a testament to how Toyota excels in multiple fields and is a well-versed automaker, as even the technology in the Prius is worth mentioning. There are USB chargers, and Prius accepts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

It's impossible not to mention the Prius's exterior design when discussing this hybrid car. Several people seem to have despised the car's physical appearance and thought the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Insight are more beautiful cars. Ironically, this contested debate of whether the Prius is a stunning car or not drew even more attention to this car. An August 2016 TorqueNews article mentions that, "Whatever the reason, all this negativity actually was good for this car. People began to recognize it more, and it sparked interest in many who really wanted to know what this car was all about."

Overall, the Prius revolutionized the automotive world because it's a wonderful choice for those who wanted to save the environment. It isn't just a beneficial car for the environment, it's a beneficial car for passengers: They enjoyed great seats that don't feel cramped and can relax knowing that they're in an extremely safe car. This unstoppable car continues to make an impact. The price and fuel economy makes the Prius a sensible car.

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