1997 - Prius goes on sale in Japan becoming the world’s first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid vehicle 2000 - Prius is launched in the U.S market as a 2001 model year 2001 - American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy named Prius “Greenest gasoline-powered passenger sedan in the United States” 2001 - Society of Automotive Engineers named it “Best Engineered Car of 2001” 2001 - Ward's Auto World magazine named the Prius gas/electric hybrid system one of the "10 Best Engines for 2001" 2001 - Named one of Environmental Protection Agency’s “Best Compact Cars” in the 2001 Fuel Economy Guide 2001 - Womanmotorist.com’s Reader’s Choice Awards – First Place for Eco Cars 2001 - AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for Alternative Fuel Vehicle 2002 - Prius became available with four factory options. 2002 - AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for “Green” car 2002 - Consumer Reports names Prius “Best Driving Green” 2002 - Womanmotorist.com Reader’s Choice Award in Eco Car segment. 2004 - All-new, second-generation Prius is introduced. 2004 - Motor Trend Magazine names Prius “Car of the Year” 2004 - “North American Car of the Year”; “Car of the Year,” Motor Trend 2004 - “10 Best Cars,” Car and Driver Magazine 2004 - “Ten Best Engines,” Ward’s Auto World 2004 - “Design of the Year,”Automobile Magazine 2004 - “25 Best Products of the Year,” Fortune Magazine 2004 - “Best of What’s New,” Popular Science Magazine 2004 - Driver’s Choice Award “Best Eco-Friendly,” Motor Week 2004 - “Top Picks for 2004” Green Car, Consumer Reports 2004 - Best Engineered Vehicle for 2004, Automotive Engineering International 2004 - Awarded a Gold in the 2004 Industrial Design Excellence Awards 2004 - “Consumers’ Most Significant Vehicle of the Year for 2004,” Consumer Reports 2005 - Consumer Reports “Most Satisfying Vehicle” – Small Car, April 2005 issue 2005 - Minor changes to standard equipment. 2005 - “Best Car Value Under $23,000,” IntelliChoice’s Best Overall Value of the Year Award 2005 - Consumer Reports “Top Pick” – Green Car, “Most Reliable” – Hybrid, listed as “Best Vehicles for $25,000 or Less” – Cars; Kelly Blue Book’s “2006 Best Resale Value” – Hatchback 2006 - “Greener Choices 2006” and “Best of 2006,” American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy 2006 - “Best Value in America” for Midsize Cars under $23,000, Vincentric 2007 - Touring Edition is introduced 2007 - Given the “Editor’s Choice Award,” Cars.com. 2007 - “Best Deal Award,” Cars.com – Easy Being Green category. 2007 - Named “Top Pick” in Green Car category by Consumer Reports. 2007 - “Best Car Value Under $23,000,” Kelly Blue Book 2007 - “Best Green Cars,” Bars.com 2008 - A Standard Package replaces the Base Package in 2008 Prius 2008 - Named “Most Satisfying Vehicle Overall” by Consumer Reports 2008 - Awarded number one in “Top 10 Green Cars” by Kelly Blue Book 2009 - Named top ten winner for “Best Resale Value” by Kelley Blue Book 2009 - “Best Car Value Under $24,000,” IntelliChoice’s Best Overall Value of the Year Award 2009 - “Best Bets,” Cars.com 2010 - All-new, third-generation Prius is introduced. Source: Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Passenger Car Chronology / Toyota
