Toyota Prius

The toy and game-maker Hasbro recently added a game token in the shape of the Toyota Prius to the “here and now” version of Monopoly. In other words, the Prius is now officially an icon of our times. That distinction is earned because of the Prius’s technology, but also as a result of the look and style that is entirely its own.

The distinct space-age shape of the Prius is a deliberate statement on its next-generation approach to motoring. Its large, diamond-cut headlamps and snub-nose front-end are the starting point for the Prius’ pseudo-flying saucer appearance. Go ahead and look back at the sci-fi comic strips of the 40s and 50s and you’ll see exactly where Toyota got its inspiration. The angled hood seamlessly flows into the windshield, then to a flowing roofline that is sleek and low. Short overhangs and a sawed-off rear section finish off this hybrid’s futuristic character.

Of course, beauty is subjective, so the Prius has received mixed reviews on outward show. There are many who think the Prius looks gimmicky, if not entirely ugly. But for many hybrid owners, the distinctive look of the Prius sends a message, which declares that we must take steps to reduce our voracious thirst for oil—with all its negative consequences in terms of the environment and geo-politics. For this camp, the Prius is like a middle-finger-on-wheels aimed at Hummers, Suburbans, Escalades, and the like.