Mazda MAZDA3 vs Toyota Prius c

Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor.

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The Toyota Prius family is growing. The iconic hybrid has been so successful Toyota has seen fit to expand the Prius into a multi-vehicle sub-brand. It still lives under the Toyota name, but has expanded to several uniquely Prius–ey vehicles. The first variant was the Prius V, which is a larger vehicle that took on more of an MPV/wagon shape when it went on sale in the U.S. in October 2011. As you might have guessed the, “V” stands for “Versatility.”

In March of 2012, the family grew again, but this time by going smaller. The Prius C is a subcompact hybrid, based on the same platform as the diminutive Toyota Yaris. But the Prius C features the namesake drivetrain and more attractive and fun packaging. The Prius C is a more affordable, more city-friendly means of staying within the Prius family. The “C” in the name stands for “City,” but it might as well be “Compelling.”

So, is the Prius C, at $19,080, worth its premium over the mere $14,430 for a Yaris? It depends on where you’re standing.