- The latest addition to Toyota's rapidly expanding Prius family is the entry-level Prius C.
- The Prius C goes on sale in the U.S. in March.
- The base sticker price will be around $19,000.
DETROIT — The latest addition to Toyota's rapidly expanding Prius family is the entry-level Prius C, which makes its U.S. debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and goes on sale in March with a base sticker price of around $19,000.
The Prius C is a subcompact five-door hatchback that is smaller than the standard Prius hatchback — Toyota now calls it the Liftback — and the even longer Prius V crossover. The series also is adding a Prius Plug-In Hybrid model in the first quarter.
The Prius C is 19 inches shorter than the familiar Prius Liftback, and is 542 pounds lighter. Projected EPA fuel economy is 53 mpg in city driving and 46 mpg on the highway.
Based on the Japan-market Toyota Aqua, the Prius C is aimed at younger customers, including first-time hybrid buyers, and will be available in four trim levels. Among the standard features are automatic climate control, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with audio and climate controls, multi-information display, hands-free phone capability and a USB port with iPod connectivity.
The Prius C is equipped with a smaller version of the Prius Liftback's hybrid drive system, including a 73-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 45kW electric motor, providing total system output of 99 hp.
Inside Line says: Meet the junior member of the Prius family.
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damaje says:
09:42 PM, 01/10/2012
Where as you won't be getting a dealer to dip into holdback and sell the car for under invoice, if you want a deal just tell them a competing dealer (mention by name) is willing to sell which ever one you choose for 1000 under the MSRP, but they did not have the color you liked most but for the right price you would take whatever color they had unless you can get the color you prefer at the same price. On the last Saturday of the month you can drop that to 1500 under MSRP, don't mention color just ask if they can beat it. If they can't go to the nearest competing dealer unless it is owned by the same company and name drop the sales managers name from the dealer you just left "John doe the sales manager at ABC Toyota said he would take 1500 off, can you beat it?" Now the dealer you are at will say something like "wow that is an incredible deal why didn't you take it?" You can make up any excuse, I either say the salesman or the sales manager was too pushy or seemed like you were getting the run around.
And don't even mention anything about your car as a trade in until you have the numbers worked out and finalized. When they first mention a trade tell them you are giving the car you drove there in to your spouse or kid.
blackdynamite1 says:
08:49 PM, 01/10/2012
This summer, this car WILL sell like it's big brother IF they can support that much production.
My guess is it will be a hard car to find on lots, and an even harder one to find below MSRP
BD
jacksan1 says:
07:55 PM, 01/10/2012
The first batch of driving impressions of the JDM Aqua (Prius C) has been very positive, with most testers reporting an excellent handling characteristic as well as its good sound-proofing, making it a very quiet car. We do need to be careful, since these first testers mostly drove the higher-trim models with fatter rubbers and all. Nevertheless, the initial driving impressions of the JDM Aqua have thus far been good.
Some of these testers have also reported over 60 mpg when driving the Aqua in city streets.
The backlog of the JDM Aqua orders is being reported to have now extended to 8 months. Toyota is preserving additional production lines for the NA Prius C, which is contributing to this huge back orders for the Japanese market.
blackdynamite1 says:
07:54 PM, 01/10/2012
What are you talking about?
Yaris hybrid is sold overseas to countries that don't get the Prius C
Yaris Hybrid and Prius C would be redundant
BD
govmotorgm2008 says:
07:36 PM, 01/10/2012
It's ok. Not at sharp as the Prius 3rd Gen. I was hoping for 60mpg combine. I'm thinking I like the Yaris hybrid better. 19k is still expensive. Anyone know the mpg for the Hybrid Yaris and cost?
alpha01 says:
06:54 PM, 01/10/2012
@brokenaudi - I was thinking along the same lines. I actually think Toyota should have offered this model to Scion with a bit stiffer suspension than it likely has, and left the Prius family at Prius, Prius Plug-In, and Prius V for now. In return, the FR-S should have been a Toyota Celica. Too bad.
se_riously says:
03:02 PM, 01/10/2012
Perfect price point for this vehicle. It's about $1200 more than a Honda Fit Sport w/ Auto, but that is recouped in fuel savings in a reasonably short timeframe.
madarchitect says:
02:07 PM, 01/10/2012
+1 to brokenaudi
I personally cant stand any of them, but get why some people love them.
MD
ttbuyer says:
01:21 PM, 01/10/2012
Much more interesting looking than the standard Prius. I hope it drives better, too.
felonious says:
01:12 PM, 01/10/2012
Brokenaudi: genius comment!