It is with good reason that Toyota describes the Prius as "harmony between man, nature, and machine". Ever since it first debuted in Japan in 1997, the Toyota Prius has become so synonymous with hybrid cars that it is difficult to even think about a hybrid without the Prius being the first thing that comes to mind. Thirteen years later, the Prius is still going strong and with worldwide cumulative sales reaching two million units in September, 2010, it is by far the world's best selling hybrid. With a combined fuel economy of over 50 mpg, it is also no surprise to hear that it is the most fuel efficient gasoline vehicle currently sold in the US. Welcome to ToyotaPrius.BIZ, where we are proud to re-introduce you to the legendary vehicle that started the hybrid revolution.

The 2011 Toyota Prius builds on the success of the completely redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, which marked the start of the third generation of the Prius franchise. Starting with the 2010 model year, the Prius became larger, more powerful, and more fuel efficient than the second generation 2004-2009 Prius models. The 2011 model year Prius remains largely unchanged and retains the same aerodynamic four-door hatchback body and futuristic styling, power, features, and fuel economy. The 2011 Prius is equipped with a 1.8 L, 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors powered by nickel hydride batteries with a combined output of 134 hp. Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive System allows the vehicle to move at around town speeds using electric power only while special sensors determine when to use engine power or a combination of electric and gas propulsion to provide the ideal balance between acceleration and fuel economy. The Hybrid Synergy drive uses the engine and regenerative braking to recharge itself and the system also saves gas by automatically shutting off the engine and then restarting it while the car is stopped. While it currently does not have plug-in capabilities, a plugin version of the Prius (coined the Prius PHEV) is set to go on sale by late 2011 or 2012.

On the exterior, the 2011 Prius has compact car dimensions featuring a low hood and arching roofline, swept back windshield, and tall tail. It is still meant to be a five passenger car with the interior large enough to classify the vehicle as a mid-size car. Prominent features available for the 2010 edition of the Prius as part of the Advanced Technology Package such as Dynamic Cruise Control, Intelligent Park Assist, Lane Keep Assist, and Pre-Collision are all available for the 2011 Prius as well. The same is true of the Solar Roof and Navigation packages. The interior of the 2011 Prius is comfortable and modern with high quality materials and all digital instrumentation. There are five trims to choose from ranging from the Prius I to Prius V. The price is not expected to be significantly higher than the 2010 model year; estimates suggest the range will be between USD $21,995 and $28,300.

The future looks bright for Toyota and the Prius in particular. In fact, the Prius has become such a cultural phenomenon that there is talk within Toyota of launching a whole line of vehicles under the Prius label. With all of Toyota's recall problems in the recent past and the company's subsequent efforts to rebuild their reputation, now could very well be the best time to buy a Toyota. There are some terrific deals that you may now be able to take advantage off so if you really want to own a hybrid and do your part for the environment, make sure you jump on them while you still can!