2012 Toyota Prius C

2012 toyota prius c review

The C is shorter, lower and narrower than Prius but has more leg room and hip room than a Yaris. It will seat five at a squeeze and has the battery pack and fuel tank under the rear seat, so the boot is a decent size and accommodates a full-sized spare wheel.

The interior is disappointing. The cabin has a budget car feel with a cheap finish and hard plastics. The main instruments are poorly placed in the centre of the dash like the old Yaris, not in front of the driver like the new Yaris.

2012 toyota prius c Interior

If you’ve been inside a Prius, the interior will be “déjà vu all over again.” While the shapes look familiar, few parts are actually shared as the Prii models share the same style sheet but share few major interior trim parts. Personally, I found the traditional shifter and the high-resolution LCD in the dash a significant step-up from the Prius liftback’s low-rent display and awkward joystick. Strangely enough, the Prius c also shares little with the Yaris on which it is based, aside from a passion for hard plastics. Shoppers should know that while all Yaris models have token soft touch bits on the dash, only the top-end Prius c “four” gets some pleather dash yumminess. While some may complain about the hardness of the surfaces, the fit and finish is above average in the segment (if you exclude the Germans) and the style is less controversial than the Prius liftback.

2012 toyota prius c engine

The Prius C is smaller and lighter, so its powertrain is downsized to match. There’s a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, making 73 horsepower, and the automaker’s Hybrid Synergy Drive includes a smaller motor system and 0.9-kWh battery pack—with the system altogether making 99 hp. Acceleration is about on par with other eco-minded small cars. Serving as a reminder that performance is definitely not the priority, the Prius C offers an Eco mode, which reduces power output and has different climate-control settings, as well as an EV mode, for going up to a half mile on electricity only, but there’s no Power or Sport mode. As for handling, the Prius C is surprisingly nimble and meneuverable, but again, don’t expect the dynamics of a sport-tuned hot hatch. But the payoff is clear at the pump: In 50 miles of driving around San Diego—including freeways, two-lane roads, and stop-and-go—we saw a 51.4-mpg average.

2012 toyota prius c price

Like the Prius, the c comes in numbered packages. “One” is obviously the price leader at $18,950, achieved by “decontetning” niceties like cruise control, cargo area lights, adjustable front headrests, the center armrest and tonneau cover. The $19,900 “Two” adds extra speakers, variable intermittent wipers, 60/40 folding rear seat, cruise control, center armrest and an engine immobilizer-style key. “Three” lists for $21,635 and adds Toyota’s Entune Navigation radio with 6.1-inch touchscreen , XM and HD radio, and “Entune App” capability (Pandora, Bing, etc), keyless entry and keyless go and a telescoping steering wheel. The top-of-the-line “Four” brings 15 inch 8-spoke alloys to the party, “Softex” seats, heated front seats, fog lamps and turn signals in the side mirrors for $23,230. The “Four” can also be equipped with the $850 moonroof and an optional 16-inch alloy wheel and sport steering package for $300 (or $1150 when combined with the sunroof) topping the Prius c out at $24,380 or about the same as a base Prius liftback.