As Toyota celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Prius in the U.S. with its fifth generation, hybrid sales are hitting new records here.
One of the first mass-produced hybrids debuted outside Japan in 2000, heralded as the “car for the 21st century,” after the Japanese automaker introduced the Prius to its home base in 1997. The nameplate has been synonymous with hybrid vehicles ever since.
U.S. hybrid vehicle sales have only grown, reaching more than 1.6 million last year for traditional hybrids alone, plus nearly 322,000 for plug-in hybrids, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Both categories have steadily grown, especially traditional hybrids.
Purely electric models have also gained, but at just under 1.3 million in unit sales last year, they’re still behind traditional hybrids, though they surpassed plug-in hybrid sales in 2014, the data indicates.
All three electrified categories have nearly doubled sales since 2021, according to the transportation department division.
The 2026 Prius, which Toyota says will hit U.S. showrooms this summer, has evolved from a pedestrian-looking sedan when it debuted here to what the automaker calls “a striking embodiment of sportiness and aggression.”
“With its bold, aerodynamic design, it not only turns heads but also continues to have exceptional fuel efficiency, proving that it remains firmly rooted in its pioneering legacy while embracing the future of driving,” Toyota says in a news release on the new generation.
