Toyota Prius c: 53 MPG city / 46 MPG Hwy; Under $19,000

I'd suggest a combination of battery and the EPA tests. People will be able to whup the EPA city rating with sensible driving.

 

I could afford to purchase a Gen III but won't. Why, because 90% of the time I only have one person in my car. I don't need the extra space and can't justify spending $25K on a commuter car.

I'm currently looking to replace my TDI and the Prius C with go on the list along with a used Gen II, Insight, Sonic, Accent, Focus, and Rio. I still have a year or two to look since the TDI only has 230K.

 

"Toyota always looks long term in its marketing schemes. This vehicle won't appeal that much to the well-situated buyer who can comfortably afford a Gen III or even a Prius v. There's nothing much to attract that buyer to the Prius c."

I have enough money to buy any car I want (although my wife would raise her eyebrows at a Tesla) and I am interested in the 'C'. My priorities are not yours, and it is silly to think otherwise.

Do lots of buyers start with a price range in their head when they go shopping ? Absolutely. They also start with a 'reasonable' fuel economy. I suspect for the majority of buyers it is low 30s, high 20s MPG combined these days, but as petrol spikes to $4 often enough for Merkins to remember the pain, a combined 40 MPG car will grab attention, a 50 MPG, sub $20k car will be most everybody's list to check out unless it is too small.

As for the people whining that the 'C' is not 60 MPG, 50 MPG combined is damned difficult. Just look how many other manufacturers reach that bar. Hell, how many models reach 40 MPG combined other than Prius and diesel micro-compacts ?

 

Right. No way. That is only people with wierd city drives. I normally get in the high 30s not beat 51 in my city driving in a gen III. Some people that brag have different city experiences. If you have short trips with air conditioning or heat in the city, 53 will be crazy high. Keep the speeds down and acceleration down, I have no doubt some people will beat prius lift back mileage. Which one will do better is all up to the driving route.

 

Prius c had about 10% better fuel efficiency in Japan and Europe tests. I wonder if Toyota down-rated to match the same 50 MPG or we are seeing the result of the difference in aggressive EPA cycle.

50 MPG car for $19k sounds excellent.

 

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. However I stand by my contention that the new Prius c is not directed primarily to the current Prius-buying demographic. It's directed to a whole new segment of buyers which 'til now has been excluded from buying a Prius.

 

" However I stand by my contention that the new Prius c is not directed primarily to the current Prius-buying demographic."
Toyota better hope not.

Seeing as how Toyota has been explicit for years now in saying the 'C' is their low-priced hybrid offering, we really do not have to guess here. Will people accept a car smaller than the Prius to save $4k and own an HSD hybrid ? I think so, unless the amenities are deemed too low-end, or the buyers refuse to part with high acceleration drivetrains.

 

Doesn't have the Kammback shape like Prius, likely higher Cd.

 

I priced out the versa, it's not actually worth owning until you move at least one package up.

The base doesn't even have power windows OR power door locks! Can you imagine in 2012 buying a new car and having to use the key for its locks? No cruise, either. OR Variable intermittent windshield wipers. Seriously, Nissan, truly you didn't give intermittent wipers as standard?

yeah, that is peculiar.

They sure will. I would consider this as a replacement to my Prius. Truly does commit to commuter only duty, though, given its small size. Ironically, our largest car I drive myself, wife drives the prius since it's so much better on gas and she drives more with more people. I ought to dump my gas guzzler sedan and get something like the c but that won't happen for a while (lease!).

 

I can see that hurting highway, but the mere 2 mpg better on a smaller engine, much lighter weight in city does surprise me.

 

So we know the market for GenIII lift back. The plugin market is also known. The "v" seams meant to appeal to the Crossover market. The "c" is the lower cost market. I think Toyota has a good idea what they are doing, slowly converting the public, all with better MPG for it's intended class. Different products for different consumer needs. Buy the one that works for you.

 

It is due to Prius having larger batteries I am sure...

But, this is just an EPA test. I would be willing to bet anything that Prius c buyers will easily get better mpg than Prius drivers on anything but high speed highway.

Easily.

We just need to look at current Yaris vs Corolla... in EPA you see small difference... Fiesta vs Focus have only 1 mpg city difference. But in real life? Try 5-6 MPG at fueleconomy.gov.

Thats because EPA tests allow for very very slow acceleration (0-60 mph in 40s), which is completely unrealistic and makes for lesser penalties.

 

Although I am very disappointed with the unimproved gas mileage of 50 MPG Combined and a little disappointed with the price, if I were in the market today for a new car, the Prius c would be the Number One car for me to check out.

My remaining hope is that its handling, "flingability" and fun-to-drive factor are as good as I think a 158" long car should be.

 

IMHO Prius C to compete with Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta. Add maybe Scion, Aveo, Cube and Versa, but those do not have good MPG. Given similar amenities "C" is 2K more then others (3K with manual) but it will save ~1K a year in gas if you drive 30K. So you pay off difference in 2-3 years but you keep car for 6-10?

Different people buy vehicles for different reasons, but "C" targets singles who drive alot and commuters with more then one car in family. I'll bet the kid who is delivering pizza and newspapers to get through college will find it a very attractive, as much as the guys who drive 50-70mi to get to work.

 

"The base doesn't even have power windows OR power door locks! Can you imagine in 2012 buying a new car and having to use the key for its locks? No cruise, either."

Cruise control is worthless to me, and if it is not a smart key I don't find any utility in power locks. Now, if you asked me whether I would tolerate the horrible reliability of a Versa for its price, the answer is no.

 

This is where I'm at in regards to The Prius c. As a current owner of a Honda Fit? I'm hoping for a better common ground. A hybrid with some of the characteristics of The Fit...fun to drive factor...AND some of the characteristics of The regular Prius...efficient and economical.

Plus it would be nice if Toyota offers it with just a regular moonroof.

Really though? I'm going to have to see the vehicle and drive it. If it doesn't "feel" right? Then it wouldn't be enough to pull me from a regular Prius.

Like most everyone? When I first heard Toyota announce that The Prius c would have the highest MPG of any non-plug in Hybrid, my hopes and thoughts were much closer to 60 mpg. I'm of course disappointed that the mileage isn't better. But it still raises the bar in within it's own newly created segment. Kind of hard to complain too much about a mass produced and available vehicle for less that $20,000 that will get the best MPG's available.

Personally? I think people get too hung up on what "vehicles" this new vehicle competes with. It's ALL in the Prius Family.

I think The Prius v, competes with wagons and mini-vans...as well as The Prius.

I think The Prius c, will compete with other sub-compact hatchbacks...as well as The Prius.

As Toyota expands the Prius Family? Each product will stand on it's own merit.

But ultimately? People will buy what they want and can afford. I'm just glad the options are expanding.

 

Prius c is half size bigger than Yaris.

Also consider two things - most Yarii sold right now are 18-19k. And Prius c will get better resale value when selling as well. If gas goes up to $5, considerably so.

 

Can someone post thread about Accord Plugin Hybrid? Thats easily biggest surprise of the show IMHO, two motor full plugin hybrid from Honda!

 

My initial thoughts exactly. But, the press release from Toyota states that the lighter car has better tuned MacPherson struts and overall handling and handles very good. This car could be fun to drive. I'll have to test drive it and decide whether to get one of these now (March 2012 release), or try to squeeze more miles out of my 200K-mile Corolla and wait for the GenIV Prius (I'm in the financial market segment of a full size Prius but I love the lightweight handling of small cars).

..of course, if it keeps at least 95% of it's value, I could justify trading it in when the GenIV comes out.

City dwellers who rarely venture on the highway would benefit from 53mpg and easier parallel parking and city maneuvering.
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