No matter how big an icon the Prius may be, Toyota's original hybrid isn't one-size-fits-all transportation. Already the automaker has built a family-size Prius, and now it's rolling out a smaller, cheaper, entry-level Prius.
In the U.S. that car will be called the 2012 Toyota Prius C when it arrives this March, but in Japan it's already on sale as the Toyota Aqua.
We've driven it, and the Aqua is the most un-Prius-like Prius that Toyota has made to date. Here's an eco champ that's unexpectedly taut, sporty and, yes, even fun. It's a surprisingly far cry from the regular Prius, a lovable fuel miser well known for its numb steering and aversion to cornering.
Smaller, Lighter Hybrid
At 157.3 inches long and 66.7 inches wide, the 2012 Toyota Aqua/Prius C is a full 19 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower than a normal-size Prius. It's just 2.5 inches longer than the new Yaris hatch and 4 inches shorter than a Honda Fit — and it's exactly as wide as these subcompacts. This dimensional similarity is no surprise, as the Aqua and Prius C share their basic platform architecture with the Yaris.
The wheelbase on the Aqua/Prius C is 100.4 inches — 6 inches shorter than the standard Prius but a couple inches longer than a Fit or Yaris. Front and rear overhangs are pretty abbreviated on this new five-door hybrid hatchback.
If Toyota's preliminary 2,500-pound curb weight claim is on target, the Prius C will be the lightest hybrid sold in the U.S. since the first-generation Honda Insight. It's over 500 pounds lighter than the regular Prius.
Even among non-hybrid subcompact cars, the Aqua and C are pretty svelte: The lightest Fit weighs 2,496 pounds, and that's without the junior Prius' nickel-metal hydride battery pack under its rear seat.
Yeah, It'll Get 50 MPG
That lightness will be key to the appeal to the Aqua and 2012 Prius C, because under the hood, we find a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder engine rated for all of 73 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 82 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. The engine teams up with a 45-kilowatt, front-drive electric motor, and the two are part of an upgraded version of the hybrid drive system that powered first- and second-generations of the Prius. Total system output is 99 hp.
Toyota isn't making any aggressive claims regarding fuel economy. Although the Aqua gets something like 83 mpg combined on Japan's test cycle, the automaker is targeting just 50 mpg combined in the U.S. along with an estimated 53 city/46 highway mpg. Of course, the original Prius already gets 50 mpg combined with its 51 city/48 highway rating.
Someone, perhaps Akio Toyoda himself, insisted that the driving experience had to be as normal as possible.
Similarly, officials quote 10.7 seconds for the Japanese-spec car's 0-62-mph getaway, suggesting the car will be a few tenths slower than the standard Prius (the last U.S.-spec car we tested went to 60 mph in 10.2 seconds).
Looks Are Deceiving
The Aqua/Prius C feels more spirited than Toyota's leisurely acceleration claim suggests, but you sure wouldn't guess that from its dull interior.
This entry-level hybrid has an exceptionally upright, industrial dash design. Although designers insist that it "evokes a great sense of space," it strikes us as cluttered and unwelcoming. Cabin plastics are resolutely bargain-basement — a consequence of Toyota's decision to build the Aqua/Prius C exclusively in Japan where the soaring yen is putting the squeeze on small-car profitability.
The good news is that the driver seat is comfortable and easy to adjust. Visibility is fine, too, and the Aqua can haul rear passengers and groceries as well as any Yaris.
A Prius With Personality
When we press the start button, pop the conventional shifter into "D" and press the throttle, we almost forget we're in a hybrid. Instead of the lazy drivetrain response and slack steering we've come to associate with these cars, the Toyota Aqua just acts normal.
Through the city, the car feels quick and alert, and we'd guess that Toyota's 3.6-second claim for 25-40-mph acceleration isn't far off the mark. Only when you floor it does the planetary-type continuously variable transmission protest and deliver that wearying slipping-clutch feel endemic to CVTs. But then, foot to the firewall is not really what the Aqua is all about.
As in other Prius models, the gas engine links seamlessly with the electric motor, so you rarely notice the electric assist cutting in and out as you drive. Of course, there are the familiar Eco and EV modes for really devoted hybrid owners. Selecting Eco provides tamer response to gas pedal input and reduces air-conditioner intensity to save fuel. If you drive the Aqua gently, you can run it up to about 20 mph in EV mode and eke out about a mile of silent, emissions-free travel.
This Is How Every Hybrid Should Drive
Toyota equipped our test car with the optional Touring package, which will be offered in some form on the 2012 Toyota Prius C as well. This option group upgrades the car's standard 15-inch steel wheels and tires to a 16-inch alloy wheel/tire package, and provides a quicker steering ratio and a livelier suspension calibration, along with a roof spoiler and smoked headlamp lenses.
On paper, there's nothing special about the car's front strut/rear twist-beam setup, yet the suspension shows its worth in effectively cushioning out road impacts. Around corners, body roll is nicely contained and the steering is quick (2.3 turns lock to lock) and precise. The brakes are strong, and even with a regenerative mode, they always feel like real brakes. In contrast to the regular Prius, which does its best to isolate you from the business of driving a car, this 2012 Toyota Aqua engages you in an old-school sort of way.
The Touring upgrades undoubtedly enhance the experience, but Toyota's engineers were focused on mounting the engine and hybrid components as low as possible in this car. With both the fuel tank and the batteries packaged under the rear seat, the Aqua's weight is well distributed and we'd guess even the base car will feel more spirited than your typical nose-heavy hybrid.
A Toyota product planner tells us the 2012 Toyota Prius C will feel almost exactly like this Japanese-spec Aqua. Apart from subtle tweaks to the tire compound and suspension calibration to suit our roads, these cars are one and the same.
Not Just for the Kids
There's no question that Toyota hopes the Aqua and 2012 Prius C will draw younger buyers and hybrid first-timers into the Prius family, and it's clear that someone, perhaps Akio Toyoda himself, insisted that the driving experience had to be as normal as possible.
We're not sure how well the Prius C's conservative sheet metal and down-market interior will go over in the U.S., but there's no denying that this car is enjoyable to drive. It's also roomy and convenient for a subcompact hatchback, and its sophisticated hybrid drivetrain will ensure it's far and away the most fuel-efficient car in its class.
It's going to be priced aggressively, too. Although our JDM-spec Aqua comes out to the equivalent of $24,000 as equipped, Toyota has promised a base MSRP under $19,000 for the Prius C.
With all this working in its favor, the 2012 Toyota Prius C is bound to make life difficult for the Honda Insights and CR-Zs of this world and quite possibly, the Nissan Leaf, too. Toyota has already been besieged with orders in Japan, and very soon Honda executives may regret their decision not to export the Fit Hybrid to our shores.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Add A Comment »
viper74 says:
11:02 AM, 02/22/2012
What's the point of this car?
1) It's smaller for urban folk.
2) It gets superb gas mileage.
3) It allows people to step into a hybrid without a huge cost.
Why doen't it get significantly higher MPG? It's engine and battery pack are smaller than that of a standard Prius despite its lower weight.
If you know how to drive a hybrid you should be able to coax 60mpg out of this car all day. Unfortunately most people think that they can just get in one and it'll return 50mpg no matter what they do. WRONG!
A lot of people say, "well my car "X" can get 42mpg". Yeah well that's on the highway. My 2nd gen Prius can get 60mpg on the highway. But can your "X" get 100+mpg for 20 mins. around town? Unless you own another Prius, Volt, Tesla or Leaf...no it can't. Yes, mine can. I took a picture of the display for non-believers. Too bad you can't attach pics here.
drive571 says:
03:06 AM, 02/09/2012
A lot of posts will say, "a Prius with less room, less cargo space, and the same mileage? Fail."
The review suggests that this is more like a Prius with a little less boredom, a little more conventional driver feedback, and $3K+ off the MSRP. Sounds like a good deal to me--and when we're talking ~$20K cars, that's a pretty big chunk off the purchase price.
At a price point that isn't far from well-equipped Fits, Yarises, Fiestas, and Sonics, this car seems like a significant step in making hybrids the "normal" car for non-enthusiasts, which strikes me as a good thing. If they aren't going to have any fun anyway, might as well leave more gas for the rest of us.
blackdynamite1 says:
09:41 PM, 02/08/2012
They're selling 50 MPG Prius for $5k off?
BD
byronwalter says:
09:16 AM, 02/05/2012
"...Take for example, the Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel has 190 hp, achieves 52 mpg, and is a big, luxurious car.... "
Those would be nice, big fat imperial gallons. Also the Brits do their mpg differently, such that I would expect the epa ratings to be closer to ~ 32 mpg for the Jag... still not bad.
And we will probably continue to pay a price premium for diesel over gas.
fortstring says:
03:29 PM, 02/03/2012
"I would think is has something to do with the batteries and their availability for production."
You might be right about this.
lucien4 says:
10:17 AM, 02/02/2012
@jb68902 You are mixing up ECE numbers with EPA mpg numbers. ECE numbers are typically 20-30% higher than EPA. That said the official ECE combined is 43mpg (which is 45% higher than Prius and CO2 is about 60% higher).
I don't see point of this car either. Smaller, cheaper, slower and yet same mpg. Why couldn't Toyota get better mpg despite weight savings? Smaller battery pack?
It's probably produced in Japan since that's the main market for this car.
icemilkcoffee says:
05:20 PM, 02/01/2012
So it's smaller than the Prius, slower than the Prius, and yet manages to get the same 50mpg as the Prius. I'm sorry- I just don't see the reason for this car at all.
houtx71 says:
06:38 AM, 02/01/2012
On behalf of ZR1Man: 10.7 second 0-60? A Corvette will eat the Prius for lunch. A Corvette handles better, looks gooder and will out perform any Japanese car on the market. Save my union job...buy American (I only have 334 payments to go before the Vette is all mine).
anonms says:
12:26 PM, 01/30/2012
@jb68902: In the US, our diesel options are severely limited and costly (VW offers the most affordable diesel cars here, and the Prius C, Insight, and CR-Z undercut all of them in price), don't offer similar or better fuel economy, and aren't necessarily more reliable.
dwharwood says:
12:12 PM, 01/30/2012
I don't get it. If you want to be really green, and you only have 19K to spend, fine. You can join the green club at a low entry price. But at this price point, as a "base," you can get a larger, nicer car with better performance with only 20% worse consumption. See, Civic, Corolla, Elantra, Jetta, et. al. You can even get a diesel. I can see the case for the Prius, because it is basically comparable to other compact cars and has a very big back seat comparable to an Accord/Camry, and the price is in line with those cars. Here, you are paying a premium for low consumption, period. And at this market segment, that premium will take a long time to amortize.