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Which larger Prius is most like the c?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by celticmoon, May 29, 2013.

  1. celticmoon

    celticmoon New Member

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    After 3 days with our Habanero C three, we are already considering a second Prius. We take several long trips a year (3000 miles rt) and a little more cargo space would be good. I am very aware the C could use more oomph (one commute route requires merging onto the interstate in the left lane). Maybe a little more heft/bulk. So a liftback or v might be right.

    I like the dash and the display on the c three and find the seats comfortable. What larger model and trim level is most similar to the c?? I drove a 2010 found the upper display to be so different. I can't figure out what is due to year and what is due to trim level. Any easy place to find specific info?
     
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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  3. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    My wife recently replaced her '05 with an' 08. We thought the C was very different from all other Prius models. She didn't care for it so I got myself one.

    SPH-L710 ? 2
     
  4. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    In what aspect is your question referring to? Size? interior layout? Feel? I personally feel the liftback and the V are more similar to each other overall than to the C.
    Consider this: the liftback mpg is nearly identical to the C.
     
  5. celticmoon

    celticmoon New Member

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    I am liking the colorful display graphs for eco feedback on the C. The 2010 liftback I drove had a small strip of b/w numbers - a little harder for these old eyes to track the info. So I wondered if newer liftbacks had a display similar to the C.

    I also like the C seats and am reading a lot of complaints/concerns about other model seats.

    We'd use the larger for long trips, so the mpg edge for hiway use goes to the liftback it seems. By a hair.
     
  6. Jzerocsk

    Jzerocsk Member

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    You could get a roof box for the C.
     
  7. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    ^I agree. If you're only looking at another vehicle for occasional trips and more cargo room, then throwing a roof box or even a hitch box is the best way to go, so you don't have to buy a whole other car.

    I don't own a V, but the display for the V is closer to the C in that there's some color to it. Imagine the liftback display, but with color. I don't understand why the liftback display looks so outdated, they should have updated it during the 2012 midcycle refresh.

    I liked the seating of the C in that it hugs me a little more, whereas the liftback is more spacious but too open and flat. I've sat in the V, but don't recall how it compared to the other 2.

    One more thing to consider: the liftback MRSP is closer to the C.

    I rented the C for a week before I bought a liftback. During long highway trips, the liftback is smoother while cruising. It doesn't handle as well as the C, and I don't imagine the V being any better.
     
  8. celticmoon

    celticmoon New Member

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    Thanks for the thoughts. Very interesting. I am starting to think the c will do just fine on a longer trip. It swallowed a heck of a lot on a Costco run... I like a smaller car anyway, after 17 years in the early (way smaller than now) RAV.

    pOOk, that is it exactly - the display does seem outdated on the liftback versus the c.
     
  9. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    Excellent description :)
     
  10. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    For the longer trips you could look at a couple of options to expand storage in your c. If it were me I'd probably choose a hitch mounted box over a roof box which would be a bit less expensive. All told you would spend $600+, but compared to a new (to you) car it might not be such a bad deal.
     
  11. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    A cargo basket with some bungee cords is probably a better buy than a box. It's a lot cheaper, and more versatile. You can load a storage bin or something that's odd shaped that wouldn't fit in a box.

    Prius C tow hitch = $100 - 150
    Cargo basket = $100 - 250

    Most you would spend is $400 with a descent set up. I prefer hitch over roof not so much bc of the mpg loss (you will experience more loss with roof) or the higher price of the roof rack, but bc of the easier access of the hitch.
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The funny thing is, it was updated. The graphics were improved for the 5" MID.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    p00kienrayray likes this.
  13. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Is this for the Canadian models? Because the US models still have the older version which is still B&W and slightly more pixelated.
     
  14. Quattro

    Quattro Member

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    The 13's has the same color touch display as the C, even for Prius II.
     
  15. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Are u talking about the MID display w/ speedometer and fuel gauges? Or the touch display in the stereo? 2013 US liftback models do not have colored MID.
     
  16. nklb

    nklb Member

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    It is not black and white. It can also do red.

    I actually prefer the display of the liftback prius to that of the c.
     
  17. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Yea I've seen some red in there but it's nothing like what Tideland displayed.
     
  18. Quattro

    Quattro Member

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    The stereo display, which can also show similar info as the MID.
     
  19. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    OP was talking about MID in upper dash.
     
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well it's hard to take a photo of the VFD. Looking at the "old" one, it's too blue compared to real life. e.g. the whites i the "new" photo aren't that white.