autoevolution
 

Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

TOYOTA Prius 1997-2004 6 Photos
TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)TOYOTA Prius (1997-2004)

The 1997 Toyota Prius was a milestone in the car industry. It was the beginning of the hybrid revolution and it all started when the Japanese car-maker helped an engine with an electric motor.

In 1997, Toyota introduced the Prius on the Japanese market. It was a car built for a purpose: to be fuel-efficient and practical enough. On top of that, it was offered at a good price for those times. And it wasn't a fashion vehicle, but it became one. It became a statement for sustainability as well.

The first generation of the Prius was not a great looking car. It was shaped like a regular, three-box sedan with triangular and curved headlights. The Corolla from those times looked better. On the D-pillars, a pair of air-vents to cool the batteries were needed. It shared more pieces with other production cars from Toyota.

Inside, the design was even weirder, with a big stick next to the steering wheel. It was used for the transmission. The instrument cluster was completely digital and installed in the middle of the wide and long dashboard. The navigation display was mounted on the upper side of the center stack. Remember, it was 1997, and not too many cars featured such a piece of equipment.

The revolution was under the hood, where a 1.5-liter gasoline engine was parallel mounted to an electric motor. Both were mated to the same CVT gearbox, the only transmission from those times which could have to handle the two types of engines.

TOYOTA Prius 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
  1 hybrid engine
  • 1.5L 16V 1AT (72 HP)

TOYOTA Prius
1.5L 16V 1AT (72 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.5L 16V 1AT (72 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1497 cm3
Power:53 KW @ 4500 RPM
72 HP @ 4500 RPM
71 BHP @ 4500 RPM
Torque:85 lb-ft @ 4200 RPM
115 Nm @ 4200 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Hybrid
Fuel capacity:13.2 gallons (50.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:99.4 mph (160 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):13.4 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:1-Speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:175/65R14
DIMENSIONS
Length:163 in (4140 mm)
Width:66.9 in (1699 mm)
Height:58.3 in (1481 mm)
Front/rear Track:58.3/58.3 in (1,481/1,481 mm)
Wheelbase:100.4 in (2550 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.9 in (124 mm)
Cargo Volume:13.8 cuFT (391 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.29
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2700.7 lbs (1225 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3626.6 lbs (1645 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:39.9 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km)
Highway:51.1 mpg US (4.6 L/100Km)
Combined:46.1 mpg US (5.1 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:138 g/km
  report a mistake on this page