My return to my Honda Fit has convinced me of one thing. I like small cars. Therefore, it's not beyond the realm that someday, I might be driving a Prius c. Best of both worlds? Hybrid efficiency and small car size and dynamics. But what I'm wondering about, is Toyota has pretty extremely updated the Prius with the Prime and Gen 4. What's the future for Prius c? Does it get a "New Generation" bringing it more into performance and stylistic lines with the Older Brother "Regular Prius"?
The 2018 is out of the factory. I have not studied the features but it is a small car that whizzes along. The alloy wheels of the Four are seeming optional. There are a few added lines externally.
From what I've seen it's had a few updates in interior materials and options. Looks like new seats too. I have a 2012 so it's a whole different car to me but I imagine others with more recent models may not see it as being so drastic. I imagine the C may not get an upgraded powertrain for some time due to the low fuel prices. However, the most complaints I have with the car are more in materials than its performance
The Aqua is still selling fairly well in Japan, so I thought it would get a more dramatic redesign for 2018. I was a little surprised to see it received what I'll call a 2nd mid-cycle refresh (1st refresh coming in 2015 as expected). This may suggest Toyota is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Aqua/C. But I like the 2018 make-over. I hope Toyota has made material and NVH improvements since that is where the C previously fell short. (I love my C, but always suggest multiple test drives so a potential buyer will understand its weaknesses.)
Toyota perhaps delayed the c to focus on moving other models to the new TNGA platform. I know the 2018 Camry must have consumed a lot of engineering resources. I assume assembly lines would need some modifications too since the Camry is larger than the Prius and has a larger drivetrain.
This seems like any easy upgrade considering the Aqua crossover trim is nearly identical to ours. It's an improvement I think over the fast and furious body kit the 17 had. Plus, I also feel like it's adopting its own look. This doesn't feel like a downsized Prius anymore. It looks like it's own model and that may be just what the C needed to really take off. It's hard to establish buyer loyalty when the car is viewed more as a trim than a standalone model. Bonus for the C is that the 18 Yaris is probably a dud (and nearly as expensive) and the C-HR is pretty taste specific. So baby crossover styling for the win?
I imagine Toyota doesn't want to lose any loyal buyers by changing too much too fast. I agree, the update is great though I imagine our complete redesign may be waiting on the next Aqua. It's Japan's Tacoma. Loyal buyers that do not want the car to change (pure speculation but probably true). I imagine this may be the Hail Mary to see if the C still has what it takes to stay in the game. Honestly its sales are decent considering what it is though I imagine the Prius v may not make it to 2018.
