The junior member of the Toyota Prius family, the Prius c provides the outstanding efficiency you expect from the bloodline in a smaller, less expensive package. That combination of price and hybrid know-how makes the little hatchback remarkably easy to own.
What's New for 2015
The Prius c wears a new grille and exterior lighting. A sunroof and rearview camera are now standard on the top trim level.
Choosing Your Toyota Prius c
While the standard Prius already dwells on the smaller end of the size spectrum, the C manages to be 19 inches shorter and 500 pounds lighter, which puts it firmly in the subcompact class. Like others of its ilk, the Prius c offers fine urban agility and is a cinch to park.
The hybrid power plant consists of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor that together produce 99 horsepower. Like other Prius models, the c features front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). You can expect to achieve 53 mpg around town and 46 mpg on the highway. In combined driving, you get a solid 50 mpg.
The Prius c comes in four ascending trim levels, dubbed One through Four.
Since the One lacks essential equipment like cruise control and a split-folding seat, we recommend starting with the Two, which is only slightly more expensive. Let your thirst for technology and budget (it's a $4,000 leap from the Two to the Four) determine whether further upgrades are necessary.