Cars.com take on the 15 C

i think she read consumer reports first.

 

Too bad she neglected to tell potential consumers how dependable the C is. Additionally, I really get a kick out of Consumer Reports panning the C yet having to admit it's one of the most dependable and economical cars out there. I routinely disregard the views of so called e(X)perts.

 

Too bad she doesn't realize the center armrest slides forward. Much more comfortable that way!

 

This is a $20,000 car, was she expecting it to have a Lexus like interior? Ride is very comfortable, noise and wind noise is acceptable, nothing that would be annoying. Baby seat, who would buy this car as a family car? It really is a shame that so called car people don't have a clue of what is a good car. The C is one of the smartest cars on the road today, achieving 50 plus mpg daily, in a nice looking package for the price that is a affordable for most people. If you want luxury you won't be looking at a $20,000 car. I would love to know what she drives

 

The review seemed spot on...except the arm rest. I think a test vehicle with a neutral exterior color would have better deflected any undue negativity though.

 

Brighter the color the better!

 

The last thing she said--about crash ratings--I'd be interested to see the facts on that.

Driving a '13 Prius C Two & I could swear I read that the crash ratings + air bags made it one of the safest cars on the road (at that time).

Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly…

 

The last frame in the video was shocking!!
$26 thou for THAT?

To be fair, you can get into a C-type for around $20K, if you shop carefully and eschew the pleather and other doo-dads, but a level-1 C does not even come with cruise control!
A Prius "C"-2 is easily going to be in G3 pricing range, which would negate many of the complaints that Cars.com had with the C, and give you better crash survivability, but many C-type drivers like the fact that the C looks less Priussy than the G3.
Both are real-world dependable out to 10 years and probably 200,000 miles, and either will easily be a bargain if you swallow your pride and drive them for 10 years.
All things considered either car is probably going to be about your cheapest new-car purchase after 5 years....but each has a hybrid premium that makes them a poor choice if you're going to trade out in 3-4 years.

The C isn't a bad car but I agree with the review in general terms, except for the price point being a value.
$20-25K should get you more.

Caveats: I've taken the C-type for a few limited test flights, although I have no stick time on the interstate with one. I've got 85,000 miles in the adult Prius, and it's no joy on a bumpy road either!!!

 

For c owners, from the video: do the brakes "take some getting used to.... the pedal requires more pressure..."? With the regular Prius, I've got zero complaints about brake feel. Like most things that work well, I don't really notice them, just use them.

 

This is certainly true.

At the present market condtions, a c One is below any G3, but a c Two is just at the G3 price point, and a G3 starts at a level Two anyway.

 

It's the small overlap crash test, where the Prius C gets a "poor" rating (the lowest possible). It's been that way since 2012 and continues through 2015. See the link below.


Vehicle details

 

Thank you for posting this; I missed the small overlap crash test & its rating when reviewing cars a few years ago.

Looks like a small overlap crash would be…pretty brutal.


S

 

Putting aside regional/Dealership differences and add ons, comparably equipped Prius C's are listed about $2,000 to $5,000 less than the adult Prius.

 

There are not many new cars that pass the overlap test, even Mercedes models scored low, and they are known for safety.

 

Fair enough.
I was just floored at the as-tested price for the tangerine in the video.

(semi)Non-related: Have you pulled the trigger yet?

 

I would politely disagree. 2012, 2013, and first half of 2014 Camry had "poor", then 2014.5 had "acceptable", and 2015 had "good". 2012-2014 Prius v had "poor", but 2015 has "good". Even the 2015 Yaris gets "moderate", which isn't great but still better than "poor".

2014 and 2015 Prius hatchbacks get "Acceptable". Previous years weren't tested.

My point is that I think that for 2015, it's fair to ask for better ratings.

 

I am not sure what you are in disagreement about? My point is that all manufacturers have struggled with passing the over lap test. 2015 was the first year that certain models improved, compared to the previous years. However, there are still plenty of cars that need to improve to pass with a good rating.

 

The biggest safety factor with regards to a car is the driver. It's great that we now have all these passive devices to protect us in the event of a crash, just look at the damage some older vehicles sustain in an actual or simulated crash. I wish in the name of safety stricter driving tests were given, traffic laws were better enforced, drivers recognized the seriousness of driving carefully, and people would stop using all these communication and gaming devices while driving. Driving a vehicle is one of the few things all high school graduates will do during there lifetime, why don't they address the importance of driving safely and properly in the educational institutions. Thank you for allowing me this daily rant. By the way I feel very safe in my C2 because I drive with great caution and never trust the person in the other car.

 

There's a difference between feeling safe and being safe, but I don't get wrapped around the axle on government safety tests because:
1. I don't drive in government safety labs, I drive on the street, in the real world. Manufacturers can build their cars to get better grades on standardized tests - just like schools can teach students to pass specific standardized tests.
2. I ride a 620-pound motorcycle. It has a crash safety rating that's worse than the C-type.....probably worse than the Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
I don't trust other drivers either because you almost certainly don't see me, or if you DO see me you're trying to kill me.

If you're in an itty-bitty, 2500# car that's only about as big as a 1970's microwave oven, then you don't get to BE as safe as you would be in an up-armored HMMWV.
People who like to bend numbers and facts for a living will point to things like energy transfer through frames, and stability, and say that you can be "statistically safe" in a sub-compact.
Reality Check:
You KNOW for certain that you're going to be in an accident five minutes from now and you have to choose a vehicle to do it in.
Your kids are with you.
Pick:
1. Any 2015 Prius.
2. Any 2015 SUV.
OK.?
Choose!
We live in a world where cars are GOING to keep getting smaller because energy bills are going to keep getting bigger.
Crash ratings are quasi important, but it's only one data point, and most people regard crash test ratings as a validation for a purchase that they've already made.....just like car reviews.