Prius Liftback vs Prius C

I looked at and test drove both prior to purchasing my liftback less than a month ago.
The C just felt....cheap. The interior is just plastic-y and inexpensive. The seats were not as comfy as the liftback. From the exterior - I just didn't like the squared off back end compared to the elongated back end of the liftback.

Driving wise - keep in mind these are my personal observations - they were sorta the same? The steering in the C was tighter, I think. They both drive like golf carts in Eco mode

The C was priced only about $2500 less than the liftback (Chicago area). Husband and I both decided we preferred the interior, seats, and body style of the liftback much more over the C. Our sales guy tried so hard to push us into the C model over the liftback - almost to the point of over-agressive. While we were chatting with another salesman while waiting on something, he said that the C model is not selling well - he said he couldn't understand why. I told him that it was immediately apparent to me after driving both that the C was made of less expensive parts and just felt cheap. He said that they thought it would sell well to the younger crowd that might like the squared off back end, but apparently, that hasn't been the case so far. He said liftbacks are gone within a day or two of coming off the trailer but the C's are on the lot for weeks on end.

In the end we haggled out a good deal, got way more on my trade than it was worth, and am thrilled with my liftback.

 

I have to agree. I also test drove both the C and the liftback within the last month or so. From looking online, I thought the C was going to be perfect for me. But after seeing it in person, I changed my mind. Didn't care for the way it looked in person. Don't like the back end design. Was very turned off by the two-toned color seats in the car. Interior does come off looking pretty cheap.
The liftback may be a little more expensive, but worth it to me. I am in the process now of trying to find one in the color combo I like and a dealer who is willing to negotiate on price with me. Can't wait till the day I bring my new car home!

 

It appears that Consumer's Report is correct about this C..

 

Check the C forums - you'll find a lot of reports saying exactly the opposite. And there are plenty of posts there complaining that prospective buyers can't find a dealer with the C in stock.

Before I decided which Prius I wanted I drove a rental liftback for a week (too big for me and I didn't like the center console and the poor rear visibility), a V (way too big and sluggish) and finally the C, which I bought in May. While it could use a bit more pep, if you're not afraid to mash the gas pedal it get going as well as any small car, and I find it comfortable and fun to drive. My wife and I just got back from a 1,350 mile ten-day road trip and had no complaints.

 

We have an '09 Liftback and I drive our '12 C. The C isn't for everybody, but neither is a small car of any type.

There are folks that feel a need for more comfort and space. They would probably not prefer the C. I came from driving an '89 CRX. The C is about the same size and rides about the same, has more safety considerations, and gets 50% better mileage without trying real hard.

I don't think my C feels cheap. Styling is a personal thing, so opinions vary. I think the V is ugly. I wish there were more rear window, but that's about it for the problems I have.

My last tank mpg was 60.7. I just aired up my tires to 50/40 while I was home at lunch and managed to get 87.8 mpgs on the trip back. I usually get anywhere from 65-75 on that trip.

It handles better than our Liftback. The seating feels a LOT better than that sitting-on-a-box seat in the Liftback. My daily driver only needs enough room to stop by the market, get some stuff at the hardware store, and take Wife and I out to dinner. The C wouldn't be a good only car unless you live that kind of life or like that kind of car. But, that's as it is with all other things.

The C isn't crappy. It isn't any cheaper than any other car in that segment. It doesn't excel at 0-60, but it beats the h3ll out of every other car for mpgs in a city setting.

But, as this is a thread in a larger car section, it would be full of people that prefer larger cars and not the Prius C. Buy what you feel like. Buy what suits your preference. The C is outstanding for many people.

 

Want to know why the Prius C was trashed by Consumer Reports? | PriusChat

This has been fought to death already.

As a young recent grad, the C was the choice over Yaris and similar compacts. Those felt cheap compared to the C. For 4k more (which could be made up in gas $$ over the course of a couple years) with the C you get your ethical planet helping choice and some bells and whistles the cheaper compact models might not have. The liftback was just out of reach for me... and I really don't need a bigger car. To each his/her own.


ps. And I like the look of it better than the liftback!

 

Well stated. I'd also add that I tested both the C and the liftback and preferred the drive and the rear window visibility of the C. And my dealership (in suburban Chicago) couldn't keep the C in stock - every one was spoken for, with waits at 4-6 weeks. I could have had my pick of GenIII liftbacks, though...

 

"I just didn't like the squared off back end compared to the elongated back end of the liftback."
"Don't like the back end design (of the C)."

Different strokes.....I have avoided the Prius for exactly that reason- I always hated the look of the lift back. The whole roof line was just a turnoff. Combine that with the, until the last two years or so, bland looking body side panels, and it was just a no go for me.

Now the C was a whole new breed. A more traditional hatchback design, with more sporty looking body panels. I was intrigued the moment I saw it, and after reading the reports from Japan of extraordinary gas mileage, I couldn't wait for it to arrive in the US. I liked because it did NOT look like a Prius. Yes, the dashboard looks somewhat cheap, but the two tone seats are fine and very comfortable. Many reviewers thought they were at least equal to or maybe better than the lift back seats. I never drove a lift back, so I can't comment on that. For me, all they lack is a lumbar adjustment.

Obviously, some sacrifices were made to keep the weight down to make up for the drag increase caused by the chopped off back end. Short struts and springs saved weight. The ride is fine on most surfaces, but on really bad pavement, you feel it. Better sound deadening materials were also sacrificed, so road noise at highways speeds is noticeable. But neither of these is unexpected in a car this small, and I find neither to be a deal breaker.

I won't restart my Consumer Reports conversation here except to say they turned a few legitimate gripes, and a distaste for the Habenero color of their test car, into a very negative overall review that hid the positive comments they made (yes, there were several) by following each one with a "But......". Don't get me started on their later calling it a "car to avoid"!

10,000 miles rolled past on my C3's odometer this past week, and with an average MPG of 60 on my 40 mile (half highway, half not) commute each day, I am very satisfied with my purchase, and find the car fun to drive and am really enjoying the electronic conveniences I never had before(and no, I am not a young kid). As for them sitting on the dealer lots and not selling, that was not my experience in March/April when I test drove and bought mine. I waited three weeks to get the model with options I wanted, and most C owners have similar tales of waiting. Nor was it the impression my salesman gave me on subsequent visits over the past two months. He says Toyota can't keep up with the demand, and news reports I read elsewhere seem to verify that.

 

In April, my local dealer was selling the C just as briskly as the liftback. Honestly, I think the C is a bargain, given the full hybrid technology, although the interior does reflect the $4,000-5,000 savings over the liftback. Unlike Consumer Reports, I didn't feel the acceleration, ride, and noise were seriously compromised for a small hybrid. However, my sticking point was it felt too tight between my left arm and the door. Also, the liftback is geared better for those who accumulate a lot of highway miles. The C remains an entry-level bargain for the serious hybrid buyer. As always, test drive both and decide for yourself.

 

Maybe it's a gateway car in PA!

 

Yes, I agree on both cars. The C is no longer a bargain at the higher option levels. The 3rd generation Ford Focus is a great car, and the American market finally gets the same version as Europe. I would have chosen the hatchback, too.

 

I can't speak for the Ford Focus, but can for a Ford Fiesta. Got one last year hoping the gas mileage and nice options would do it for me. I have been highly disappointed in it and can't wait to trade mine in. Seems like lots of little things have gone wrong or bother me for the past year with the car.

 

This thread is definitely a case of different strokes for different folks. The Prius brand was totally off my radar until the c arrived on the market. The smaller package, lighter weight, and whimsical interior resonate with me, whereas the Prius [liftback] and V simply leave me cold.

I can't relate to this "bigger is better" mentality. I can't consider the Prius [liftback], Focus, or any big car at any price. The Fiesta is certainly way too tall. I don't understand why everyone insists on having 60" tall cars.

You do realize the Prius c is essentially a Yaris Hybrid, right?

 

I traded in a 2010 Liftback for a 2012 C - The exterior appearance of the C was the main driving factor behind this decision - looks way better IMO. In contrast to the OP observation I found the interior of the Prius C 3 to be much nicer than that of the Liftback (2) that I had. Seats in the liftback (2) were very uncomfortable - and there have been several threads about seat discomfort in the Gen3, so I know there are others who agree. The seats in the C are very comfortable, the cornering and general handling is better (its a smaller car) - but the acceleration is a little underwhelming relative to the Gen3. As for the sales rate of 15 - 1, that must be specific to that dealership, sales numbers for August are out and Liftback is at 13,311 C is at 3,428, V is sitting at 3,325, and the overpriced underperforming for its segment PiP was at 1,047. Combined Prius sales were 21,111 making the Prius C 16% of all Prius Sales. Compared to just the liftback + PiP the C is selling at 23.87% So a ratio is pretty close to 1 to 4. Each model has their advantages - but the Prius C is a great car, as is the liftback.

 

Really, it boils down to customer preference and opinion. What type of seat one person finds comfortable, another may not. What one person thinks is a cheap-looking dash, another may not. While one person finds the squared off rear more cosmetically attractive than the liftback...you get the idea. To each their own - at least they both have PRIUS in common, right? I can't get over how much fun this car is to drive (had it less than 3 weeks) and how awesome the MPG are. It's such a night/day difference over my Jeep. I should have traded in a looong time ago.

 

Initially the Prius C was selling so well it sold at list while the Prius III sold at a discount. This made the price difference around $2K so it was a much better deal to buy the much better Prius III.

If the Prius C's sales are slowing down, the dealers may start offering discounts on the C vs. the Prius III.

I intended to by the Prius C and bought the Prius III. Many of the reasons CR cited. Prius III is a lot more car, more than $2K worth.