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2004 Toyota Prius Gasoline Electric Hybrid Mid-Size Sedan
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New Car Review Of The 2004 Toyota Prius Mid-Size Hybrid Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $19,995
Base Invoice Range: $18,411
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MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: Sedan
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sedan
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive.
Engine As Tested: 1.5-liter, Gas/Electric Hybrid, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4 cylinder, 76-horsepower at 5,000rpm and 82 lb-ft torque at 4,200 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: Standard Continuously Variable, 6-speed Automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): CVT automatic 51/60
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, power-assisted disc brakes, Antilock Braking System (ABS).
Competition: Honda Civic Hybrid.
Review
Vehicle History
The Prius went on sale in Japan in 1997. It was the first mass-produced, gas-electric, hybrid-fuel vehicle available worldwide. 3 years later, in August 2000, the Prius was introduced in the Untied States. It was Toyota’s second-generation product. That year Toyota sold 5,600 of the cars. 2002 was the last year of the current model run, and in that year over 20,000 were sold.
The car was revolutionary. General Motors had experimented with electric cars but its EV1 met with little success due to technical limitations. Toyota, Honda and Ford took different product development approaches. They believed that, for the immediate future, gas-electric, hybrid-fuel powered vehicles were the shortest route to production cars that were both cleaner running and affordable to own. They believed only eco cars that performed as well as traditional cars, and cost no more to own and operate, would be successful with the American public.
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