The Toyota Prius turns 20, and this is how it has evolved since then

Many of the new technologies we have access to today belong to a more distant future. The truth is that all these innovations have been in development for years, and we can enjoy them today thanks to that intense work. This is something we can see reflected in one of the pioneering vehicles in hybridisation, the Toyota Prius. The Japanese bestseller has been around since 1997.

Twenty years have passed since the first Toyota Prius came to light, and today we are going to review all its generations to date. This vehicle was a revolution for the automotive industry and made a considerable leap into the future. Not only did they prove that hybridisation was possible, but they also discovered a very ingenious way to reduce consumption and emissions.

After a long period of research and development, the brand presented the first prototype of what would later become the first Prius. It was in 1997 that the brand’s first hybrid model made its debut. It arrived in the form of a saloon and featured a conservative design that respected the lines of a traditional saloon. The interior had a more innovative look, and two large screens made their appearance.

Without a doubt, this model marked a before and after in the brand’s history and was a sales success. Inside, it had a 1.5-litre engine producing 76 CV combined with a hybrid system. Even so, Toyota had its sights set on the future, and in 2003 its second generation arrived.

The philosophy of the first Prius remained present in the second model that Toyota launched. It was designed from scratch and had a more contemporary look. The second Prius improved in every respect, both aesthetically and mechanically, and its power increased considerably, reaching 115 CV. This allowed Toyota to launch an improved product in every sense and continue advancing hybridisation.

The third generation of the Toyota Prius arrived in 2009, and with this model we saw technical improvements. The styling of this third hybrid remained quite close to that of the previous generation. Even so, it improved in certain aspects, such as the lighting units and a more up-to-date interior. The engine was improved and this time it featured a 1.8 unit producing 136 CV.

And finally, we come to the fourth generation, which has been on the market since 2015. This is where we can see the most changes compared with previous versions, especially in terms of styling. This Toyota Prius seeks to be the most innovative in its segment and thanks to all its new technology it has a great deal of potential.