Prius C

[dja4260]

I'm in the market for a reliable hatchback or 4 door car with good gas mileage. The 8 year, 100,000k warranty would cover what I cannot work on. In 8 years it would be time for another car so the battery aspect doesn't scare me. I haven't driven one yet but I'm interested. It cost 3k more then the Sonata I almost purchased yesterday but gets a real world 55+ mpg as seen here .

Anyone have any experience with this line of cars?

 

[4x4chevydude]

From what Ive seen and heard it is reliable as any Toyota out there that you can buy...they are solid cars that get really good MPG...I wouldnt hesitate to buy one if I were in the market....

 

[Oldwolf]

I bought one, have 4k miles on it now and the computer is saying my average mpg is 60.4! Just to make this an oil thread also, I thought I would change the factory oil at 3k, but it is only a very slight amber color now. I have the 0W20 and filter waiting to go in but I can't make myself drain clean oil out of the 1NZ-FXE!

 

[mrsilv04]

Consumer Reports has called the Prius C a disappointment, and a car to avoid.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/06/the-toyota-prius-c-isnt-a-good-car-and-heres-why.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/.../1#.UCUVJqFlQ7w

 

[71Chevyguy]

I have a Kia Optima, basically the same as the Sonata. Nice car but don't expect fuel economy to be anywhere near what the sticker promises. The best I have averaged has been 24 MPG and that was all highway with the cruise set.

 

[tenderloin]

FWIW This months edition of Consumer Reports lists it as one of the top 5 popular vehicles to avoid. While gas mileage is good, they criticize it for it's "Yaris heritage...lower build quality than other Prius, stiff ride, noisy cabin, slow acceleration, cheap interior trim". I believe it even gets lower gas mileage (1mpg?) than the larger Prius..although less expensive.

Tried to delete after seeing a post above...Sorry

 

[The Critic]

I would spend the extra 2k and get a lift back. You will likely see better hwy mileage with the lift back than the C.


Most of those C-segment cars are poor values and are really designed for buyers who are simply trying to meet a particular price point.

 

[supton]

Will you do lots of highway in this car, or more city?

 

[Oldwolf]

Don't let the CR article through you dja, they are wrong when it comes to the C just like they are on most of their car reviews. The C is an outstanding hybrid, go test drive one and make your own decision, I bought the C4 btw. It has as much seating room as my liftback Prius, but less rear storage due to the hatchback design.

You might like the Priuschat.com forum too, lots of good info there, plus a discussion on the CR article too!

Btw, my Fuelly.com averages for my Gen 2 hatchback is 49.1 and for my C it is 58.1.

 

[Hokiefyd]

A co-worker just bought one. We have a number of folks at work with Prii, but only one with a C. She loves hers. Her other car is a Scion xD, so she likes the small car feel and the handling associated with it. It IS small! But she's also getting 60 mpg with it. It all depends on what you need. Those with regular Prii are getting 45-50 mpg. With a C, you get better mpg for less money, but you get less car also.

 

[hypervish]

The Prius C is suppose to be lower quality than the Prius. There's a reason why it's cheaper. LOL, CR is really off their game for this one. Not to mention the Jeep and Honda shouldn't be on that list either.

 

[cptbarkey]

The Prius C is the only hybrid I would EVER consider. The rest are too large and bloated and do not get enough payback for the premium.

 

[The Critic]

It would be interesting to see how the C does with lead foots. OP, if you are a lead foot, don't bother with one.

I know that if I drive my Prius like a maniac, I average about 37 versus 47 on my daily commute, which is a significant difference (more so that conventional cars). Given the C's small power train, I would expect the difference to be even larger.

 

[Oldwolf]

The C has the same engine as my Gen 2, the 1NZ-XFE, albeit somewhat modernized. Also the C has the same HSD drivetrain, albeit modernized too. Net result is my C weighs about 500 pounds less than my Gen 2.

 

[SLCraig]

I thought it looked like the best option (who doesn't like hatches) but I have been in a few new Toyota's and they are so raunchy inside, they remind me of mid 2000's Chrysler products. So that comment about the cheap interior I can see being right at least.

 

[friendly_jacek]

I'm a big fan of Prius (and own one), but I would not automatically recommend Prius C to everyone. Prius C is based on Yaris, I rented one once and it was a sorry ride. Prius C has lower MPG on hwy (due to it's smaller engine) and I would only consider it a city car. My liftback Prius II is also mostly a city car, but it's comfortable enough to take up to 4 people (with limited luggage) for a hwy spin.

One more thing, I bought mine for little more.

 

[dja4260]

I crunched some numbers and decided that it would take 6 years of driving for the extra expense of the hybrid to break even when compared the the FIT & YARIS. I like the FIT and Sonata. 15.6k or 18k

Just need to decide what is going to benefit me in the long run.

 

[Cutehumor]

all the prius owners hate the prius C. coincidence? I only see one person who owns a prius and a prius C say good things about the prius. hmm

 

[dja4260]

I've discovered the Hyundai Elantra GT. A 5 dr hatchback. I want it! Going to drive it in the morning.

 

[sciphi]

Careful about the automatic Elantras. They've had difficulty meeting EPA estimated fuel economy. I'm hoping the GT hatch is different since it's a different car (slightly tweaked European i30 hatchback) than the sedan.