The third generation of the Toyota Prius was introduced at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.
While the fuel-efficiency was not a big surprise, the styling did.

The Prius revolutionized the car industry. It was the first mass-market hybrid vehicle that was sold well almost everywhere in the world. Its uncommon shape made it easy to spot on the road and that ease the hybrid revolution. Starting with the third generation, the Japanese car-maker started to improve the exterior design.

The third generation of the Prius featured double-shaped headlights and vertically mounted daytime running lights in the apron. It had the same height as its predecessor, but since the cabin was moved rearward, it amplified its wedged shape. The third generation featured a moonroof with solar panels that could cool the cabin. The overall drag-coefficient was 0.25, which was a world record of its times.

Inside, the Prius kept the centrally mounted instrument cluster on the dashboard. The car was fitted with a head-up display to enhance the driving experience. The interior room was big, good enough for five adults. The center console was very high and featured storage compartments in and underneath it.

The drivetrain was a big improvement over its predecessor. It was fitted with a new, 1.8-liter gasoline engine that ran in the Atkinson cycle. It was aided by an electric motor and offered a full-electric range of about a mile (1.6 km).