The all-new Prius C arrives fresh off Toyota's drawing board for 2012 boasting the best city fuel economy of any car without a plug and a sub-$19,000 starting tag. Although it is very inexpensive, the C doesn't stand for "cheap"—all rumors to date point to an extensive features list including a really fancy steering wheel.
No, this entry-level subcompact 5-door hatch with up to 1 mile of pure electric driving under 25 mph and 53 mpg city/46 highway is not named after its tag. Rather, the Prius C is a spry little hybrid built for lovers of technologically enhanced "city" life. Every dimension of the C is smaller than the regular Prius for improved economy and agility on those tight city roads, shaving nearly 20 inches from end to end and shedding just over 500 pounds in the process of delivering a balanced cornering posture and reducing the load on its smaller engine.
Instead of the 1.8-liter four-banger for the base mechanicals, this junior Prius gets a 1.5-liter good for 25 fewer horses at 73 hp, and an electric motor putting out 20 fewer horses at 60 hp. In total output that makes the Prius C a 99-hp machine versus the 134 hp produced by its big brother's powertrain. Surely this will affect acceleration, and while there is no official word from Toyota, early estimates put the C just a fraction of a second behind the larger powertrain for a 10.7-second run from 0 to 60.
Toyota also promises a very long standard equipment list, including automatic climate control, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry and a really fancy tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio, climate, Bluetooth hands-free and Multi-Information Display controls. Three different audio systems offer access to your music no matter the format in even the base systems, from a CD player with MP3/WMA capabilities to the usual auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod connectivity to upscale features like Bluetooth streaming. Options include satellite radio, HD radio with iTunes compatibility and a 3.5-inch display with real-time traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports scores and stocks.
Aside from that, the Prius C is pretty much what you would expect out of a Prius. Four trims will be offered, and if big brother is to be any indication, you can expect One, Two, Three and Four editions. Front-wheel drive and a special continuously variable transmission are safe expectations across the board, and its 3 driving modes—Normal, climate- and power-controlled Eco and electric-only EV—should be familiar to hybrid fans.
By the same token, that means the Prius C will feature most of the same common downsides of the Prius—namely, hard-touch plastics and other hastily made materials decisions. More bad news, the Prius C lacks the Prius's highway-handy Power driving mode, severely limiting its acceleration capabilities in times of need.
However, with its smaller dimensions the Prius C should be considerably more nimble, but big brother's problems with driving dynamics stem from its vague electric steering and spongy suspension. The official word from Toyota indicates major changes in the suspension arena and an improved steering ratio for drivers that opt up to the 16-inch alloy wheels and associated sport tuning package, but so far there's nothing solid on whether the electric steering was universally improved.
That said, the 83-mpg Japanese edition is touted as a complete divergence from hybrids of yore, with such a spirited and fun driving experience it's hard to believe you're in a hybrid, but as of this writing, nobody's gotten their hands on a Prius C in the USA just yet.
I had an oil change in June at a Toyota dealership. They checked my battery and result came back "green" (green=ok, yellow=need attention, red=immediate attention). Then my battery died the next month in July. When I called for an explanation, the rep just said "it happens"! If it's true, then what's the point of checking battery regularly? Thoughts? Should I call them back and demand an explanation?
Dear can you please be possible to check my ad? I try make a search and my ad doesnt appear. Please let me know it. Thank you.
accidentally changed from mpg to kil. Don't know how to get it switched back
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual seat cushion front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 45 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 73 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 4800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual seat cushion front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 45 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 73 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 4800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 45 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 73 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 4800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Entune · Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 60 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 45 · Electric Motor Torque: 125 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 73 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 4800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Entune · Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 8
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent