Cars That Defined Their Decades

15. 2000s: Toyota Prius

One of the world's best-known hybrid electric cars, the Toyota Prius, has been produced since 1997. As the early years of the 21st century progressed, other electric and hybrid vehicles began to join the Prius as serious alternatives to purely petroleum-powered models. It was initially available as a four-door compact sedan, but as of 2003, Toyota production shifted to a liftback configuration, which made it adaptable for many roles, from family car to florist's delivery vehicle. In 2008 the Prius passed one million sold globally, quickly followed by the two, three, and four million marks in the following decade.