Trade in my 2009 Prius for a C?

You would have to test drive to see, however being small the ride is probably on a par with what you've got. The seats in the regular Prius 2010 and up are bigger and I think more comfortable.

 

Hello. Today I test drove an orange Prius C level 4. It is windy as a trip to Oz today but the little C handled it well. I am 6'2" tall and found the seat and wheel adjustable enough to get comfortable, VERY comfortable aside from a lack of lumbar support. However, in the passenger seat I felt it necesary to keep my head tilted uncomfortable to the left to keep my head off the frame over the window. I was considering it to upgrade my 2002 Prius which I've owned for 4 years. It felt familiar, yet better than my 2002. The engine sounds the same, steering and brake feel are similar, though everything feels tighter and a bit sportier. The interior is nothing like a typical Prius, very little different from a 2012 Yaris. We drove the C in a 30mph crosswind on a 65mph divided highway. It was comfortable, fairly quiet, and well composed. With my wife in shotgun and salesman in the back seat the ride felt firm in the front end and oddly soft in the rear suspension, overall a pretty good ride. I've never driven a gen 2 Prius like yours but I think you should take a C for a drive. Computer showed a 38mpg average on this car that had hardly ever left the parking lot, and I did see the graph show 48mpg on my short drive.

 

You could try replacing the seat in your 2009 with another one. Cycledrum did it, but in the end gave up and bought an Accord, but the Gen 3 won him back. If you're driving commuting 80 miles, that could be 20,000 miles per year. If you find the seats are painfully uncomfortable do something about it either way. Reviews have noted that the c's seats are more comfortable than the Gen 3.

 

Maybe a Recaro replacement in the 2009 will do the trick. But it could be a huge pain and after paying a bunch of money for a Recaro put in, you may not like it either. Who knows.

I'm calling it a tie between the 2011 Prius driver's seating and the c. I couldn't tell the difference except the 2011 has a little more legroom potential (but not the wheel telescope to match the slide oops). No complaints though, I'm really happy with my 2011. Like a well broken in pair of jeans

That said, if they bring the cost of plug-in Prius down and the range up in, say, 10 years, or so, that could be hot. But, hey, big boys want their toys

 

The C in Prius C is for City, it is not going to be ideal as a freeway cruiser. No better Highway MPG than the Gen 2 and worse ride. It should be easier to park and have better city MPG.