The Toyota Prius is the world's first mass-produced and mass-marketed hybrid car, utilizing a mix of battery power and gasoline. It was first made available in Japan in 1997, then came to the States and elsewhere in the world in 2001.
The Prius has gained a large celebrity following along with the typical accompanying lampooning, including a hysterical "South Park" episode in which a hybrid car known as the "Pious" creates a cloud of Smug (sic) which hangs over the town.
The current Prius features Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, which allows for longer periods of use of the electric engine without having to switch to the gasoline engine.
Jokes aside, the Prius is an impressive vehicle. It is controlled by a computer that is complex yet relatively easy for the driver to use-and for some drivers to manipulate. The Prius has a large hacker following as well.
