From eco-friendly drivers to cash conscious consumers, the word is out, the future is GREEN! Toyota's Prius, originally released in Japan in 1997, helped make hybrid technology a household topic and with the 2010 models on the way, Toyota will yet again “raise the bar”. With a combined 50 MPG rating the 2010 Prius means business and that's not all. Along with increased fuel economy the 2010 edition has also received a much needed cosmetic make over. The original Prius design , while unique, was not very attractive. The new 2010 model is sportier and more aggressive than ever. The base model begins at $22,000 while the fully loaded models start at $27,270.