2012 Toyota Prius c Video

For some time, the Toyota Prius has enjoyed “king of the hill” status when it comes to fuel efficiency. However, the Prius now has to share that title with … itself: the 2012 Prius c hatchback. Unlike the futuristic-looking conventional Prius, the smaller Prius c is billed as more of an everyday driver, according to Cars.com’s Managing Editor David Thomas. So how does the c stack up against a conventionally powered subcompact commuter car?

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Comments

if Toyota would have just kept the same powertrain in the C as the normal Prius, it likely would have gotten better fuel economy and both would have been less costly to produce.

Jon,
They had to shrink the system for weight and size. There wasn't really another option.

Sometimes I wish "being green(er)" didn't have to be so bloody ugly.

Jinglebuddy,
My wife and many other women like the looks of the car. Contrary to men's fantasies look around you at what most women choose to drive and say good bye to a that gas guzzling pollution mobile that sits in the same traffic as everyone else.

It should be remembered aerodynamics has a big effect on highway economy. With the Prius C's somewhat boxy rear compared to the slope of the Prius, there's no guarantee mileage would be any better with the original powertrain.

Derrick,
It is for this reason in town mileage is better but highway mileage is not. Hint: The "C" stands for city.

Mark Schaffer,

Yes, everyone should remember the Prius C DOES get better mileage in the city. And the Prius' powertrain would be even less likely to help there.

Well I go to work on the 405 south bound, every work day and traffic can be quite heavy at times, I am averaging 50mpg to 60mpg at approx. 30mph up to 70mph. Once I get up to 50+ mpg, quick bursts of speed and then laying off the peddle and keep it up to 60mph-65mph with slight peddle pressure.

Mark, the point is: why TOYOTA people persists assigning the disign contract to some visually handicap people, specially when it commes to the rear end. It's terminally ugly...

Well Andre,
You have your opinion and thousands of buyers disagree with you.

"...what most women choose to drive and say good bye to a that gas guzzling pollution mobile that sits in the same traffic as everyone else."

*YAWN* sure whatever you say.