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The history of Toyota hybrid vehicles was begun in 1997 with the introduction of the Toyota Prius, a five-seat compact. It was the first hybrid to be mass-produced and it was initially available only in Japan. It was able to sell 37,000 units in Japan before it was introduced in the United States in the year 2000. Since then, Toyota has continued to develop and improve its hybrid vehicles, gaining a wide fan base all over the world for its eco-friendly cars. In the same year that the Prius was first launched in the U.S., Toyota released the 2001 Toyota Prius. The availability of the Prius to the U.S. market was limited to 12,000 units. Production of the Prius was discontinued in 2003, when it was replaced by the Second Generation Prius. This model, called the 2004 Toyota Prius, was the first hybrid midsize car and has an improved hybrid system compared to the First Generation release. The 2004 has an EPA Smog Score of 8—just two points shy of the perfect score of 10. This Prius was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 2004. In the United States, Toyota sold over 700,000 units. The production of the midsize Toyota hybrid stopped in 2009 to make way for the manufacture of the Third Generation Prius. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury line, also got a taste of hybrid technology. The 2006 and 2010 Lexus RX both had hybrid features. Toyota also gave its SUVs hybrid power. The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, like the Second Generation Prius, had a Smog Score of 8. The hybrid Highlander has a 32% reduction in global warming emissions than its non-hybrid version. Among all of the hybrid cars of its time, the Highlander Hybrid had the greatest reduction in global warming emissions. An American favorite, the Camry also had a hybrid version: the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It scored 9 at the EPA’s smog test and is the first made-in-America Toyota hybrid. The redesigned 2012 model of the hybrid Camry has a revised version of the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which basically makes the hybrid system more dynamic and fuel-efficient. Its improved hybridity, optimized aerodynamic design, and lighter vehicle weight make the hybrid Camry one of the top hybrids for excellent fuel economy in the midsize sedan category. Following the Camry is another Prius, the 2010—bigger and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation. In 2012, Toyota released two Prius models, the v and the c. The v is a crossover car and the c is more of a compact. The v’s extended roofline design allows for 60% more cargo space and scored 9 in the EPA’s smog score. The Toyota Prius c is the smallest in the Prius line, but it’s space-saving as the car’s lithium-ion battery pack is positioned under the rear seats. The Prius c has four models to choose from, each with different features such as ECO modes, automatic climate control, multi-information display, cruise control, a cargo area tonneau cover, integrated fog lamps, heated front seats, smart key system, push button start, and moonroof. There are several more Toyota hybrids but most are used outside the United States. As hybrid technology continues to improve, we can expect more cars around the world to shift to this new and more eco-friendly mode.
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