Toyota has announced that it will have the most fuel-efficient production car in the U.S. next year when it releases the 2010 Prius with an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 50 miles per gallon.

Next year’s model will be the third generation for the Prius, which first hit the U.S. marketing in 1997.

Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division says the car has shown that a hybrid can be a practical everyday car and thinks the new features will attract even more buyers.

“The Prius has evolved with our customers over the past 10 years and is now more things to more people,” he said.

Over the last 13 years, Toyota has slowly increased the fuel efficiency of the Prius. The first generation of the car had an EPA rating of 41 miles per gallon, with the current generation inching up to 46 miles per gallon.

In addition to increased fuel economy, Toyota says the 2010 Prius will have a more powerful engine.

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