OK, I owned a first gen 2001, and I now have the 2nd gen 2004 (which I much prefer). However, it seems some people are referring to the next generation of the Prius as 4th generation, as if the current is 3rd generation. What gives?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eug @ Jan 23 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]379671[/snapback]</div> 2001 model is 1st gen in US but it is actually a 2nd gen. The first gen released in Japan on 1997 never made it to US. Dennis
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Jan 23 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]379677[/snapback]</div> Ah I see. I tended to think of the early Japanese and North American ones as very similar, but I do remember some differences in the design.
Technically, a stickler would break it down this way: Gen 1: 1997 - 2000 : Japanese release only Gen 2: 2001 - 2003 : First American version Gen 3: 2004 - Now : Second American version If you are talking to the average American, they might not know about the Gen-1 Prius in Japan. Thus the confusion.
Well.........these are Toyota's own designations for the Prius model years: Japan-only Prius (1998-2000) - NWH10 1st American Prius (2001-2003) - NWH11 Hatchback Prius (2004-2007+?) - NWH20 This is why many people consider the hatchback to be the 2nd generation Prius (going by standard designations for computer software--1.0, 1.1, 2.0).
Yeah. I consider this the second generation (I think you might be confused with 3rd generation hybrid system). The one that we got from 2001-2003 was merely an updated (midlife update) of the original 97 model. The US version got new wheels, rear spoiler, no bumper strips, more powerful engine and more powerful (and upgraded) battery. In Canada, we got cruise control and a CD player.
