The official unveiling of the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius model took place yesterday evening in Las Vegas. Toyota chose Las Vegas as the glitzy backdrop for the global reveal of the fourth-generation Prius, the hybrid that has become synonymous with the Japanese automaker.
With its distinctive curved roof shape, the Prius is an icon among environmentally friendly "green" vehicles. It accounts for almost a quarter of all "alternative fuel" vehicle sales, according to the automotive website Edmunds.com. That category includes plug-in electric cars and plug-in hybrids as well as non-plug-in hybrids like the Prius.
Historically, much of the Prius' mystique has come from Hollywood: it became a celebrity darling over the last decade, attracting high-profile owners from Miley Cyrus to Leo DiCaprio.
With the Prius now entering its fourth generation, consumers have also learned to trust and understand the car's once confusing hybrid electric technology. They get that most hybrid cars don't need to be plugged in and the battery packs don't need to be replaced after a few years.
In addition to better fuel economy and a new look, Toyota is also offering a new suite of safety technology features. These include a lane departure warning system that will gently steer the car back into its lane and brakes that work automatically if an impending collision is detected.
