The phrase refers to pre-owned vehicles manufactured by Toyota that combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a plug-in charging capability. These vehicles offer the ability to drive on electric power alone for a certain range, reducing reliance on gasoline and lowering emissions, and examples include models like the Prius Prime.
Acquiring such a vehicle offers potential benefits like a lower purchase price compared to new models, access to technology advancements in hybrid and electric vehicle systems, and the opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon footprint. Historically, the availability of these vehicles on the secondary market has increased as more consumers adopt plug-in hybrid technology and trade in their older models.