Is the C truly a 3rd gen Prius or is it closer to the gen2 in tech?

The C doesn't come with standard auto on/off headlights... but it can be added.

 

Why add it, the car tells you when you left them on, its a simple car, lets leave that way, that is what I love about It, simplicity.

 

Good stuff, tnx all ! - Question, is there a fan to help cool the high voltage battery, if so does this cooling fan continue to run even after the car is off ? (again if so the 12v battery must get a real workout)

 

There is a fan below rear left seat. It stops once you stop/turn off the car.

Sent ?

 

Good to hear, suspect in MY 2015 the Li-ion batteries will need additional cooling, I want the old stuff !

 

My C is wearing in well as I now am getting 60+mpg (computer indicated) on my daily 60 mile round trip commute. Of course the weather is warm now.

On the other hand, my Gen II is running better than ever. It has 60k miles now and last weekend we drove it to the beach and back. About 350 miles and the computer indicated 56+ mpg when we got home.

I really like both of my cars. But I must say the Gen II feels and sounds more solid than my C (which I really do love).

 

First, let me say I moved to a Prius C from a Civic Hybrid and I got thme mpg as you - 38 mpg average.
My prius C2

First let me say I moved from operating an Insight 2001, and 2 Civic hybrids 2004's, to a Prius C2. The Insight got 45 to 52 mpg, the Civics got 38 to 44 mpg, and the Prius C2 gets 48 mph besides having no attempts to maximize mpg. All are in videos on you tube.
Then only Toyota Engineering can answer your questions and probably will not. Any comparison of battery technology between gen 3 Prius and Prius C could be expected but that is likely only known by TE asa it should be.
My recommendation is move up to the Prius C.

 

I have a Gen III and a C, love them both... they both have their pros and cons