[RedDevil]

Toyota won't sell the Prius if it mimics an ordinary car.
It derives its right of existence from being different.
Its selling point is its fuel economy, of course, but it has to stand out somehow. Fuel consumption is just a number.
The Prius is fuel economy with a Flash Gordon cape. For the Look at Me! I'm Saving the Planet crowd. (*)

And for those who can't bear the showy exterior there's the Auris with the same technology. People who buy that don't like the wild styling. They probably would not appreciate anything halfway in between either.

The second gen was much less wildly styled, but then it had that shape. That was enough excitement at the time.
The third gens style was already somewhat sharper as one got accustomed to the shape.
But somewhat does not cut it this time.

I suspect Toyota will sell this in huge numbers again.

(*) I'm fully aware there are other reasons why people buy Priuses, like its technology, refined operation, reliability, etc.