Toyota Prius

Rank: 9
Current Design Introduced: 2004  

2006 Toyota Prius + click to enlarge | view slideshow >

Toyota showcases its industry-leading gasoline/electric hybrid technology in the Prius, but the last generation just blended in with other small cars on the road. With the latest Prius, Toyota chose to make a strong overall design statement that alludes to the technology within. The futuristic design of the current model is one of the best of any car, according to Matano, of the school of Industrial Design at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, because the technology and the shape match so well.

“This Prius is so iconic,” said Matano. “And if you look at it closely, the aerodynamic treatment is very sophisticated with such attention to detail.”