Just saw a Prius C for the first time

[RobMarkToo]

It was pretty small! Pretty cheap looking too but still somehow you could tell it was a Prius. Good job Toyota.

[Inspector Detector]

Maybe I'll see them all over the place soon but they're rare birds in these parts for the time being. I wouldn't mind owning one though.

[00silvergls]

They're starting to pop up here. I saw 4 the other day.

[Vision33r]

Prius C is selling pretty well on the East Coast, I've seen 3 of them. The colors are very bold, $24k for a 45mpg car is pretty good. Unlike the other $24k car sold by Hyundai that can barely get 32mpg on the highway.

[A320FlyGuy]

I was looking at one the other day...I parked next to it at the airport.....I thought that it was a Yaris at first....I wasn't too impressed with it. I guess if you are a city dwelling yuppie with a desire to hug some trees and drive a hyrbrid, it's ok.....but really bottom line driven.

I was driving behind a Prius V and was shocked at how tall it was.....the proportions seem off to me for some reason.....but then again, to me, the regular Prius looks like a modern spin on the Chevrolet Citation......

[Lwize]

I've been seeing a bunch of C's and V's around. The orange sherbert C is adorable.

I wonder if they've been cannibalizing Prius sales?

[tjl]

I see a lot more Prius V than Prius C.

Consumer Reports liked the Prius V but not the Prius C.

[too_slow]

How is it a $24k car if you can get a base model for $20k even in Canada?
If you travel a lot in stop-and-go / heavily congested roads, then it makes a lot of sense. The seats are identical to the Gen 3 regular Prius, and is surprisingly comfortable.. AC/bluetooth/powereverything + 45/50mpg is standard.. Can't really ask for more..

[A320FlyGuy]

How is it a $24k car if you can get a base model for $20k even in Canada?
If you travel a lot in stop-and-go / heavily congested roads, then it makes a lot of sense. The seats are identical to the Gen 3 regular Prius, and is surprisingly comfortable.. AC/bluetooth/powereverything + 45/50mpg is standard.. Can't really ask for more..

I'm sure that the Prius family is a perfectly decent family of vehicles....I just find that every time I have driven a Toyota, I have always been let down....it's like going to your local bar...sure you can get a drink or 2 or 3 or 4 and you will get wasted if you really want to...but the beach side club in Ibiza is going to be oh so much more fun...Toyota just always seems so dull to me.

But that's just my opinion...I know that they build a rock solid vehicle that will run forever...but the vehicles that they build are just...boring and dull.

[kenny301]

I haven't seen any Prius V's on the road yet but I have seen one or two Prius C's. The proportions are a little off but the thing that bothers me the most are the tail lights.

[someguy123]

Prius C is selling pretty well on the East Coast, I've seen 3 of them. The colors are very bold, $24k for a 45mpg car is pretty good. Unlike the other $24k car sold by Hyundai that can barely get 32mpg on the highway.

Not sure which ass you pulled the 45mpg from....people are getting 60mpg city-driving.

[devianb]

I haven't seen any Prius V's on the road yet but I have seen one or two Prius C's. The proportions are a little off but the thing that bothers me the most are the tail lights.

That has got to be some of the worst looking factory tail lights ever made, not only that they are huge as well! I have yet to see a Prius C as well.

[someguy123]

I would have got one if they came with HIDs/LED headlights.

The Aqua in Japan has LED headlights as option.

[feels_road]

Not sure which ass you pulled the 45mpg from....people are getting 60mpg city-driving.

The average on fuelly is 52.6mpg (which, of course, is still very, very good).

The tail lights are nasty, and the interior is hard to swallow for a $20,000 - $26,000 car. I'd still probably buy one if I had a very long city/stop-and-go commute that would make an EV impractical.

[Biff Beltsander]

It was pretty small! Pretty cheap looking too but still somehow you could tell it was a Prius. Good job Toyota.

Solid post bro!




Related note, the cabbies at the dispatch company I work for are switching over to the Prius V right now, it's basically the perfect taxi.

[RobMarkToo]

Yep, its the tail lights that really scream "CHEAP CAR" for some reason. For only slightly better fuel economy probably than a Hyundai Accent really and more money. People will buy it though just cause it says Prius and they want a brand new car that is small and a hybrid, i guess.

[Biff Beltsander]

Yep, its the tail lights that really scream "CHEAP CAR" for some reason. For only slightly better fuel economy probably than a Hyundai Accent really and more money. People will buy it though just cause it says Prius and they want a brand new car that is small and a hybrid, i guess.

I think Toyota tried to hard to make sure the C looked different then the Yaris on which it's based so they went overboard with the clear taillight design trademark that every Prius beyond the original has had.
The Accent is in my opinion, a much nicer looking car.

Prius C

Yaris


These look pretty decent in person.
The Accent.
[IMG][/IMG]

[RobMarkToo]

Yeah I test drove a '12 5MT hatch Accent and pretty much liked it, although it didn't have a whole lot of character it was new and the fit and finish left nothing to be desired. I was hoping the clutch would have more feel after a few thousand miles. The one I drove was incredibly vague feeling, it just.. engaged someplace near the beginning of clutch travel and the rest was a black hole.

[mobile363]

I dont see the point.

Comparing my Kia Rio to the Toyota Prius C...

I did the math, and at current fuel prices, i would have to drive 120,000 miles before i offset the extra cost of the car with fuel savings. This is comparing the top trim levels in each car. Add to this the opportunity lose of spending more money up front that could have been better spent on RRSP, Mutual funds, stocks, etc.

I just dont see the point of putting up with a Prius C for 120,000 miles and then start making my money back. Yes, the Prius will be worth more in a resale situation and i think thats the only thing it has going for it. So weigh your options. I love driving my little Rio. The Prius C, not so much. Its boring and pedestrian. Probably built like a tank though

[kenny301]

Comparing my Kia Rio to the Toyota Prius C...

I am really disappointed in the availability of options for the Rio with the manual trans.

[Biff Beltsander]

I am really disappointed in the availability of options for the Rio with the manual trans.

I think it depends on the model does it not? The higher spec models are the only auto only if I'm not mistaken.

[kenny301]

I think it depends on the model does it not? The higher spec models are the only auto only if I'm not mistaken.

The base model is the only one available with the MT. The only options (on the Kia website) are an auto dimming rearview with with a compass and homelink, floor mats, a rear bumper applique, and a sport graphic.

[mobile363]

The base model is the only one available with the MT. The only options (on the Kia website) are an auto dimming rearview with with a compass and homelink, floor mats, a rear bumper applique, and a sport graphic.

All 3 trim levels here in Canada are manual for 2013. My EX is a manual.

[kenny301]

Maybe it will change for MY13 in the US also. The Kia US website only shows MY12 stuff I believe.