Prius: How we got here (Chronology)

1997 - Prius goes on sale in Japan becoming the world’s first mass-produced
gas/electric hybrid vehicle

2000 - Prius is launched in the U.S market as a 2001 model year

2001 - American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy named Prius “Greenest gasoline-powered passenger sedan in the United States”
2001 - Society of Automotive Engineers named it “Best Engineered Car of 2001”
2001 - Ward's Auto World magazine named the Prius gas/electric hybrid system one of the "10 Best Engines for 2001"
2001 - Named one of Environmental Protection Agency’s “Best Compact Cars” in the 2001 Fuel Economy Guide
2001 - Womanmotorist.com’s Reader’s Choice Awards – First Place for Eco Cars
2001 - AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for Alternative Fuel Vehicle

2002 - Prius became available with four factory options.
2002 - AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for “Green” car
2002 - Consumer Reports names Prius “Best Driving Green”
2002 - Womanmotorist.com Reader’s Choice Award in Eco Car segment.

2004 - All-new, second-generation Prius is introduced.
2004 - Motor Trend Magazine names Prius “Car of the Year”
2004 - “North American Car of the Year”; “Car of the Year,” Motor Trend
2004 - “10 Best Cars,” Car and Driver Magazine
2004 - “Ten Best Engines,” Ward’s Auto World
2004 - “Design of the Year,”Automobile Magazine
2004 - “25 Best Products of the Year,” Fortune Magazine
2004 - “Best of What’s New,” Popular Science Magazine
2004 - Driver’s Choice Award “Best Eco-Friendly,” Motor Week
2004 - “Top Picks for 2004” Green Car, Consumer Reports
2004 - Best Engineered Vehicle for 2004, Automotive Engineering International
2004 - Awarded a Gold in the 2004 Industrial Design Excellence Awards
2004 - “Consumers’ Most Significant Vehicle of the Year for 2004,” Consumer Reports

2005 - Consumer Reports “Most Satisfying Vehicle” – Small Car, April 2005 issue
2005 - Minor changes to standard equipment.
2005 - “Best Car Value Under $23,000,” IntelliChoice’s Best Overall Value of the Year Award
2005 - Consumer Reports “Top Pick” – Green Car, “Most Reliable” – Hybrid, listed as “Best
Vehicles for $25,000 or Less” – Cars; Kelly Blue Book’s “2006 Best Resale Value” – Hatchback

2006 - “Greener Choices 2006” and “Best of 2006,” American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
2006 - “Best Value in America” for Midsize Cars under $23,000, Vincentric

2007 - Touring Edition is introduced
2007 - Given the “Editor’s Choice Award,” Cars.com.
2007 - “Best Deal Award,” Cars.com – Easy Being Green category.
2007 - Named “Top Pick” in Green Car category by Consumer Reports.
2007 - “Best Car Value Under $23,000,” Kelly Blue Book
2007 - “Best Green Cars,” Bars.com

2008 - A Standard Package replaces the Base Package in 2008 Prius
2008 - Named “Most Satisfying Vehicle Overall” by Consumer Reports
2008 - Awarded number one in “Top 10 Green Cars” by Kelly Blue Book

2009 - Named top ten winner for “Best Resale Value” by Kelley Blue Book
2009 - “Best Car Value Under $24,000,” IntelliChoice’s Best Overall Value of the Year Award
2009 - “Best Bets,” Cars.com

2010 - All-new, third-generation Prius is introduced.

Source: Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Passenger Car Chronology / Toyota