Fairly new to Prius (April of this year) When I am on the road and see another Prius, how do I identify the year? Any clues? I think I can id 2012s but it stops there.
Compared to the 2012, the 2010-11 has -- different taillights different wheel covers no black highlighting around front grill fog lights (or blank inserts) where the 2012 has DRLs.
If in your own state and you know the license plate numbers/letters for every year, look at that. Otherwise we should come up with a hand signal for each other as we pass by holding up our hand in a wave gesture which dictates what year our Prii is BTW, I still have 600 sumthin miles on my car I'm actually gonna drive it to dinner this evening Mike
I already posted pics in this thread showing how to tell a liftback from a plug-in for 2012: PiP - 2012 tail light swap? | PriusChat Edit: put in pics of PiP ad Liftback anyway... 2012 (and probably 2013+) Prius Plug-in: 2012 (and probably 2013+) Prius liftback: 2010/11 tail lights: 2006-2009 (chrome on top): 2004-2005 (black on top)
I only posted fastest way to tell from the rear of the car. 2012 has LED DRLs in the front, 2010/11 did not. Can't really tell 2010/11 from the front or back, or sides even. Gen II, if it has Chrome in the front grill it's a 2006-2009,body colored bar instead of chrome it's a 2004-05.
Re: 04-05 vs. 06-09 Priuses, the 06-09 marked the beginning of Hybrid badges on the left and right side front fenders. If one sees a Gen 2 w/o them, it's an 04-05.
I have to laugh because being obsessed with wanting a hybrid has given me this skill unconsciously - I can tell a Gen 3 from Gen 1 or 2 in less than a second. Gen 1s basically look like a regular small car. Gen 2s are very rounded - the hood is more circular and...puffy. Gen 3s are more angular and stream-lined for aerodynamics. The taillights are the biggest indicator, as others have demonstrated in pictures above. But if you find yourself facing one from the side, look at the hood - taller, more raised on a Gen 2. Any questions?
