Can't decide between a C or a regular Prius

The c will be cheaper, esp. since the c starts at a lower price. If I were to buy a c, I wouldn't go lower than model Two. One doesn't have cruise control, which seems crazy in this day and age. Its MSRP is a few thousand cheaper than the MSRP of the Prius (liftback) Two (lowest model you can get as a non-fleet customer).

See The Toyota Prius c models and prices vs The 3rd Generation Toyota Prius Hybrid models and prices.

 

If you pick the c, get a c 3 if you can afford it. The smart key rules.

You should get the car you want, but make sure the complaints/criticisms are things you can live with.

While there are a few things about my c that I'm not crazy about, I have no regrets about buying it. Reliability is a crapshoot though, there's no way to know for sure.

 

I had my six foot friend sit in theC when I test drove it and she was fine. However, we have an Envoy as our other car so the C made even more sense. On the few occasions that I needed to haul something or someone that would not fit comfortably in the C- we just take took the Envoy. Otherwise, I use my C for everything from grocery shopping to kid hauling! And let me say to the person that said "do you have friends that you want to keep?" MY friends love my c and want me to drive all the time so they can ride I it!

 

Hmm, 2 not-so-small children will fit more easily in the liftback in the future and would give you more space to carry stuff.

As for reliability, it has a new, smaller battery and cut-down hybrid system, but it's not scaled back much further than the weight has been reduced. Given that it's not new I wouldn't be concerned about reliability myself.

 

Agreed that it's a crapshoot, but at least good Toyota's reliability record makes the odds of good reliability a lot better than those w/hit or miss or lousy reliability reputations.

 

No matter what you buy, remember this:

You are unique. Just like everybody else.

 

The C should be as reliable as the other Prii, it's HSD system is a mix of gen 2 and 3 just put in a smaller package. The fit n finish is typical of inexpensive cars, no worse, whatever CR says. Things like etune and nav gives some people headaches, but you're looking at a base model so that won't be an issue. I would suggest a 3, the SKS is worth the money!

 

I really like SKS as well, but not sure the OP really wants to pay the price premium for the Three over the lower models...

 

Get the prius C. I've driven Gen 3's for the last 2 years as a rental and although the interior is spacious it isn't as nice as the interior you get on the C. That said, I can't fit my bike without taking a wheel off on the C but it's no big deal.The C is also a lot easier to see out of and less van-like than the Gen 3. It's more of a normal car. It drives and feels a lot better on the road being 500lbs lighter! The TFT display is also light years ahead of the one that you get on the 3. As far as space for passengers is concerned I had 3 guys with me all over 6'1 fit just fine with plenty of headroom. Rearward visibility is a lot better on the C as well. There's really just so much more to like in that car because it's closer to what the future car should be....affordable, and less hybrid-like (slow, boring).

 

I think that is the first time I have heard someone claim the interior of the c is nicer than the Prius Liftback. Weird.

 

^^^
One downside of the c is that the rear visibility is very poor w/the rear head restraints in place. I experienced that first hand when I had a test drive and I was asked to back it into an area w/all cones around and all sorts of people walking around behind and the car w/o looking (Hybrids 2 Hotrods event).

If I owned a c, I'd remove the rear head restraints and store them in the car for in the event there are passengers.

I agree w/F8L. Weird. I don't feel the c's interior is nicer than the liftback.

 

I wouldh have thought that Toyota would set the limiters on the C at the same point as the liftback, which would make them exactly as 'slow' (i.e. only capable of 100 mph or so). Do you have evidence that this isn't the case?

 

Compared to the liftback?! Wow, I find that hard to believe. Yikes.

 

Without the headrests the rear visibility is fine in the c.

 

I think so. I don't have the much seat time in the 3rd gen liftback but I can safely say the c's rear visibility is WAY worse than the 2nd gen liftback. 2nd gen liftback's head restraints are pretty much out of the way when at the lowest position.

 

I am actually in the same spot you are. The dealerships were I am offer a much better discount on regular Prius. I can get a C2 for $20,088 or a Blizzard Pearl Gen 3 for $23,232 w/ $200 in free accessories (both prices after destination and fees). I guess I just need to drive both.

 

You can always customize your ride.

 

Ok, I test drove both and I am SERIOUSLY stuck... I can't decided. I liked how the regular prius was quieter and smoother but I liked the Cs styling more. ughhhh....

 

I test drove both excessively before buying by C (just three weeks ago!). I don't know if it helps but this was my take on it, obviously from my point of view so your opinion about style may vary:

C has a nicer body and a nicer interior design.

I did not at all like the center console/bridge thing that the Liftback had, it made the cabin feel tighter.

The Liftback was much less fun to drive, felt floatier and more disconnected and I felt like my visibility was reduced.

The Liftback had slightly more room in the front cabin, which I liked, and more leg room.

The C had a much more comfortable rear seat for me. I bumped my head constantly on the sloping Liftback roof.

The C handled more like a regular car, which I liked, and felt more responsive on the road.

The rear visibility seemed about the same between them but when backing up with the Liftback I had an extremely hard time seeing around me. Bonus: The Liftback had a backup camera, which was absolutely essential IMO. The C does not need one and I had a much easier time with it. I really grew to hate the rear window design on the Liftback.

The Liftback felt like a 'family car', which is a bit of a nebulous concept, but definitely influenced our decision to get the C.

The C was cheaper but still had a lot of features we wanted, smart key, push button start, etc.

The storage space was very similar. The C let you pile things higher where the Liftback was a little deeper. For the sorts of things we carry (suitcases, etc) the C won out for storage.

The C turns almost like a yaris, I like to make easy turns in tight spaces. The Liftback felt more like a boat in comparison.

The Liftback had more power, which I liked, but was also much heavier which made much of the additional power useless. This was a wash between them.

I think that was pretty much everything. I had a hard time deciding, but the lower price combined with a lot of little things made me go C. I think the Prius Liftback will be more tempting when it gets a serious body redesign, it felt less appealing than the C and V in that sense.

 

^^^
From reading the above, I almost feel you got the liftback and c reversed in a few cases.

I like the interior of the liftback a lot better.

I feel the c is the one that needs the backup camera since the rear visibility is very poor w/head restraints in place.

As for rear seat, well, from Toyota Side-by-Side Comparison, when you add the Prius liftback Two vs. the Prius c Two, the liftback has the advantage for every interior measurement.

The lifback also has way more cargo room.

In CR's tests, the liftback was a tad quicker in the 0-60 mph test and 1/4 mile.