Looking on Toyota.jp website, the Aqua (Prius c) looks to have went under a more extensive update. Looks much better IMHO. They even offer a crossover version with heftier styling. Wonder why Toyota didn't bother to offer the updated version here?
Looks fine. I imagine Toyota will wait till 2020 to offer the updated version (at least that's what they say). I hope they follow the competition and make it more of a crossover style. Raised ride height, roof rails, etc.
On some of their other models it took a year or two for the updated version to reach the US. One reason I bought a 2008 Corolla was because I did not like the higher raked lines on the newer Japanese one that I knew was coming to the US. I believe the new version was the 2010 model in the US.
I bet we'll see this updated version for 2018, as it doesn't make too much financial sense for Toyota to stamp-out two versions of that front quarter panel for the larger headlights (from what I see, the rest of the changes are in the plastic bolt-on bits). Of course, it may be that Toyota will pull the C altogether from the sales floor due to dropping sales figures (others would know better than I if the sales are actually falling) and replace it with a hybrid CH-R, something that I know currently exists halfway around the world. Living in New England, roads are narrow, parking spaces are tight and often parallel to the sidewalk, and traffic never lets up, so the C is pretty much perfect. If it were about 2 more inches off the ground, then the large chunks of ice would just go right under me in the winter months, and I wouldn't have to worry about the sound of "skadunsh" as I pull out of the parking lot to the pub. All things considered, there's nothing like being behind the wheel of a bright green MPG master with a mean mouth in the front and bright-a** driving lights. Score. If Toyota were to bring over the newer, friendlier-looking version with the corolla vent fingers in the front, roof rack, and creme brûlée color, I honestly wouldn't give it a second look, as I think the design of the little tree frog you see on my avatar to the left is more my style. I kind of like that the current C looks angry - almost as if it (or it's driver) thought it had something to prove...constantly...particularly to Dodge Challengers. That new summer rain-ish 2018 version above is very sexy though, and I would probably be green (ha) with envy. Really, what the current car needs is about 20 more HP, some beefy sway bars, wider stock tires, quicker steering, simulated shifts on the eCVT, and a blind spot camera. Maybe that'll come about in the Prius D!
I'd personally like the C-UV with the standard C front end. The wrapped around style just looks too much like a ford focus.
The sportier styling is what sold me on my 2017 Prius C Three! I second what @contravox stated about it being 2" taller, in general, as I've already scraped the underside of the front, driver side bumper due to a sharp dip at one of the exits at work! *sobs quietly* The US 2017 Prius C styling IMO is better than the JP 2018 XUV. But I do like the new eyeliner DRLs!
G'day, Mention of raising the car suspension made me nostalgic for my Citroen GS 1220 with its hydropneumatic suspension. Three height settings, normal, high, and higher, set by a small driver-side lever. It would be great if Toyota took on the many engineering initiatives of Citroen and built them with Japanese engineering thoroughness and quality. Oh, well. David S.
I really like the creamy lemonade model in the photos. It gives the C a unique edge over the rest of the Prius family. I think the C could continue its life as the lifestyle Prius maybe even as a new name like Prius Adventure. With cuvs like the Nirro and Crosstrex Hybrid (or its replacement) are vehicles that people may cross shop with the C. Considering they have more rugged qualities I think Toyota could be making money on a cuv rather than issuing a half-baked attempt like the CH-R.