2012 Toyota Prius c Trims and Specs

Though some who recall the days of the American muscle car may laugh, the just-introduced 2012 Toyota Prius C One hybrid hatchback allows its owners to giggle all the way to the bank. It’s not big, and it’s not potent, but this 5-seat subcompact wagon boasts class-leading fuel economy, 17.1 cubic feet of grocery-bag-ready cargo area to the rear seatbacks and a fold-down rear seat for some hefty added toting capacity.

A 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine is mated with a 60-hp electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), thereby endowing this front-wheel-drive-only Prius with a total of 99 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. Auto engine stop/start capability, driver-selectable Eco and EV (electric-only) modes and the I4’s built-in variable valve timing (VVT) mean this micro-hatchback gets a class-leading 53 mpg city/46 highway. Regenerative braking, meantime, helps the gasoline engine recharge a nickel-metal hydride battery that’s a bit smaller and lighter than that found in the larger Prius offerings.

Standard amenities begin with a rear spoiler, power-adjustable mirrors and 15-inch steel wheels outside and continue with cloth upholstery, full power accessories, a 3.5-inch hybrid performance display, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and a simulated alloy steering wheel inside. Climate control and Bluetooth technology also come standard, as does a single-CD player with 4 speakers, auxiliary iPod integration and a USB connection. Options, meantime, include Toyota’s VIP Plus remote antitheft system and a Preferred Accessory Package that encompasses floor mats, cargo organizers and exterior protection coatings.

Standard safety equipment aboard the 2012 Prius C One includes Toyota’s touted Star Safety System with 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) (front disc/rear drum), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights also come standard in this pint-size Prius, as do turn-signal-integrated mirrors.

Stepping up a notch from its entry-level sibling, the new-for-2012 Toyota Prius C Two 5-seat subcompact hatchback offers just a few more standard amenities, including split-folding rear seatbacks. This convenience adds a little extra capability to its 17.1 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats.

A 1.5-liter gasoline-burning inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine and a 60-hp electric motor combine with a well-wrought continuously variable transmission for a total of some 99 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. Regenerative braking helps the I4 juice up the downsized nickel-metal hydride battery, while variable valve timing (VVT), a driver-selectable Eco mode, and an EV (electric-only) mode that runs this little wagon up to 25 mph for short distances, each combine with auto engine start/stop technology to help keep mileage at a class-leading 53 mpg city/46 highway.

Standard appearance goodies include 15-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler and power-adjustable mirrors, while cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, a telescoping and tilting simulated alloy steering wheel, and full power accessories only scratch the surface of the cabin's amenities. Bluetooth hands-free calling is standard, as are a 3.5-inch hybrid performance display and cabin air filtration to bolster the climate control system. Entertainment, meanwhile, is presented via a single-CD player with 6 speakers, an auxiliary iPod interface and a USB port.

Added exterior protection features, floor mats and various cargo organizing tools are each optional in either the Preferred Accessory Package or in standalone form.

Safety-wise, Toyota’s Star Safety System means the 2012 Prius C Two offers standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights and turn-signal-integrated mirrors also come standard, while Toyota’s VIP Plus remote antitheft alarm is optional.

In keeping with its sequentially oriented trim labeling, Toyota has introduced its upper midlevel 2012 Prius C as the Prius C Three. Kind of rolls off the tongue, no? Anyhow, a smaller hybrid powertrain gives this downsized 5-passenger subcompact hybrid hatchback its go, not to mention class-leading fuel economy, while some 17.1 cubic feet of cargo room to the rear seatbacks increases dramatically when the split-folding seatbacks are down.

Look for 15-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler and power-adjustable mirrors adorning the outside of this downsized Prius, while cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and full power accessories, including Smart Key remote entry and push-button start, endow the interior. All this is bolstered by a dash-mounted 3.5-inch hybrid performance display, as well as cruise control and a tilting, telescoping simulated alloy steering wheel. Also standard is a 6.1-inch touchscreen navigation suite, not to mention Bluetooth hands-free communications and Entune infotainment flaunting Bing smartphone apps. Finally, a single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio, an auxiliary iPod input and a USB connection also come standard.

Upgraded 15-inch alloy wheels are optional for this upper-class trim, as are a power sunroof and the Preferred Accessory Package, with floor mats, cargo organizers and exterior protection upgrades.

A variable-valve-timed (VVT) 1.5-liter gas-powered inline 4-cylinder engine is at the heart of this Prius’ hybrid powertrain. Mated with the 60-hp electric motor and the continuously variable transmission (CVT), this pint-sized four-banger puts out a total of 99 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque, with mileage estimated at an impressive 53 mpg city/46 highway. Regenerative braking helps the I4 maintain a charge in the nickel-metal hydride battery, while a driver-selectable Eco mode and up to 25 mph on electric power using the EV (electric-only) mode, not to mention auto engine start/stop technology, all help maintain this hybrid’s class-leading fuel efficiency.

The 2012 Prius C Three boasts Toyota’s Star Safety System, including 4-wheel antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Further standard safety equipment includes turn-signal-integrated mirrors and daytime running lights, with a VIP Plus remote antitheft alarm optional.

As the flagship trim of Toyota’s debuting Prius C lineup, the 2012 Prius C Four offers a number of expected additional standard features. This 5-passenger subcompact hybrid hatchback starts by offering 17.1 cubic feet of cargo space to the rear seatbacks, with those same seatbacks coming in split-folding form for additional stowage space. The 15-inch alloy wheels, meanwhile, are bolstered by a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable outside mirrors for a sharp-looking profile.

Inside, Smart Key remote entry and push-button start combine with power windows, cruise control and a tilting and telescoping simulated alloy steering wheel for some added convenience, with leatherette upholstery and heated, height-adjustable front seats providing a touch of class. Of course, cabin air filtration complements the climate control system, while a 3.5-inch hybrid performance display is joined by a 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation monitor. Toyota’s Entune infotainment and Bling smartphone integration technology are joined by Bluetooth hands-free calling and a single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio auxiliary iPod input and a USB connection.

Optional in the top-shelf 2012 Prius C Four is the Alloy Wheel Package with 16-inch alloy wheels, a sportier steering and suspension package and a power moonroof. The Preferred Accessory Package, meantime, adds upgraded exterior protection, cargo organizers and floor mats, all of which are available as standalone options.

Powering this pint-size Prius trim is a variable-valve-timed (VVT) 1.5-liter gasoline-powered inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a 60-hp electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a total of 99 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. Regenerative braking helps boost the charge to the nickel-metal hydride battery, while driver-selectable Eco and EV (electric-only) modes, not to mention auto engine start/stop technology, allow an estimated 53 mpg city/46 highway. When in EV mode, the Prius C Four can putter up to 25 mph for very short distances on electric power alone.

Toyota’s Star Safety System, finally, endows the flagship 2012 Prius C Four with 4-wheel antilock brakes in front disc/rear drum configuration, along with traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights and daytime running lights all come standard as well, while the VIP Plus remote antitheft system is optional.