Power Toyota Irvine, CA: I like the absence of the center console that goes up to the dash, like in the Prius Liftback. Some people like that, that's okay. To me, a car feels much more spacious when there is more open space there. From the front seat, I like the interior of the Prius c a lot. The backseat is very small. In terms of quality/solidness, there are some flimsy plastic parts, like the rear cupholder. It is clear that they were trying to save costs when designing this car. Otherwise, IT GET'S 53MPG IN THE CITY!!! Did I buy one yet? Nope. They were all $25K sticker price, and there were Liftbacks sitting right next to them for $24,900. LOL! THAT IS A TOYOTA MATRIX (correction: YARIS) TO THE LEFT, AND IN THE 2ND PICTURE FROM BEHIND. THEY APPEAR TO BE THE SAME SIZE.
wow thx the C looks the same size even smaller then the yaris.. Wth? the C looks to be so bigger then the yaris at pictures before.. well my impression only a bit smaller then the prius but next to the yaris it really looks tiny and weak.. i mean it look so small and the line's of the desigh just make it look tiny compared to the bulging yaris.. did not expect this hope to see some more better comparison pics soon
I commented on this a few days ago, but there is so much going on here, and focus is understandably on the people who get their Prius c, that it was barely noticed. I like the Prius c a lot, but the Yaris offers maybe some other interesting points, such as its cab-forward configuration offering better inner space (see below) For those wanting to learn more about the Yaris Hybrid, which is not expected to be available in North America (but who knows?), please look here: http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-hybrids/102578-yaris-hybrid-reviews.html The Yaris Hybrid is just being officially launched at the Geneva car show in Switzerland, and can be pre-ordered for delivery mid-June. Great review. Although it's not an in depth one with objective measurements, it gives us an excellent impression. And waw, beautiful surroundings around San Diego (La Jolla?). I've been intrigued by the statement that the Prius c would be more high end then the Yaris. I believe this is somewhat misleading. At least, as far as the Hybrid is concerned, this is certainly not the case. In fact, its "midgrade" base model is 22,300 $ in Germany and 15000 £ in the UK, but that is all taxes included, and is as well equipped as the Prius c 3. See the Yaris hybrid thread for details. Both cars are mechanical twins, but Toyota wishes to exploit the Prius brand name to position de c as a more highend car. The Prius c uses the slightly stretched (1.6 in.) platform of the Ractis/Verso S. Width is identical. The Yaris is 1.7 in. higher and 3.8 in. shorter. Its windshield is advanced to give it a cab forward appearance. This makes it feel very roomy and offers more head space in the back. The trunk space may be slightly smaller, but I'm not sure. This gives the impression the c is a lower and longer car. The following pictures illustrate the above. And an image of the Mid Grade (black) and High Grade Yaris hybrid models. Note the specific front which looks very Prius liftback 2012 like to me and the nice LED daylight driving lights incorporated into the headlights. US people should be aware both cars are essentially city cars and therefore SMALL. I may have been wrong thinking they prefer larger ones... Jan P.S. Some comments here seem to confirm the last remark...
I'm lost here. So you get the Yaris in the US but you don't get the Yaris hybrid. Instead you get a completely different model the hybrid Prius C? Which is actually smaller than the Yaris? I think the dash looks poor - very poor. The screen looks an afterthought. Why not adjust the Yaris hybrid to US spec and have done?
Simply because in North America, the Prius brand is considered "chic", whereas the Yaris is considered a small car for people who cannot afford a bigger one. The USA Yaris also has poorer specs and older type 1.5 l engine, no CVT but a prehistoric Automatic 4 gear box... If you look at the Yaris Hybrid specs you see better finish, and high end features, plus 4 disk brakes. But let's not exagerate. I find the Prius c is a nice car, and there would be plenty of customerrs for both models. Maybe if the Euro keeps falling, Toyota will make more money with selling it in the USA, then importing the Prius c from Japan...
They look to be about the same size to me The aqua/prius c is also the one they are getting in japan. Its the one with that will have higher volume. IMHO you are right, but the regular prius sells despite or maybe because of its funky screen I don't think the yaris would be as easy of a sell as the prius. Here the bulk are the cheapest cars, so you get more of the question why am I paying x more for the hybrid. The prius c looks different and IMHO a little better. You'll have to ask toyota why they made both, but the thing seems to be selling well in japan, and IMHO they will sell more prius c's in america than all the trims of yaris. Then the question really is why give the yaris hybrid to europe instead of the aqua. The answer is easy, they could make the cars in europe and both avoid some taxes and tell people it was made over there. It sounds like the yaris has a much better reputation in europe than it does in america, maybe for reasons mister has stated. The lower volume european built yaris hybrid likely would cost toyota more in america for similar trims than the japanese built prius c.
At least in the angle of the rear hatch and glass, I see a lot of Lexus ct200h similariy/influence. (Yes, I know the c is a smaller car.) I guess it's the result of sacrificing better aero, less curve in the roof, to maintain usable headroom in the rear seats and cargo volume.
It's easier to sell a smaller, cheaper Prius than it is to sell an expensive Yaris here. The Yaris here is considered a cheap car for first-time buyers or those looking for a 3rd or 4th car. Those looking for a more premum subcompact would look at the Fiesta or MINI or heck even the new Rio looks good (a bit of Seat influence in the rear design)
