If you are in the market for an economical car that is environmentally friendly, Toyota’s Prius c is one you should consider. Toyota has been manufacturing the Prius since 1997, and it was the world’s first mass-market hybrid vehicle. Originally a four-door sedan, the Prius morphed into a hatch-back in 2003. As of January 2017, the Prius hit the 4 million units sold mark, making it the world’s best selling hybrid.
In 2011 Toyota introduced the Prius v, an extended hatchback, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The Prius c was created for urban drivers seeking to leave as small a footprint as possible, both literally and figuratively, on the world around them. It succeeded and here’s a look at why the Prius c is a great entry-level hybrid economy car.
Performance
When you shop for a subcompact hybrid, you aren’t planning on hitting the track. You’re probably more interested in getting around safely in a congested urban area. The Prius c does that and it does it well.
This hybrid has plenty of pep for zipping around the city. Its 4-cylinder engine is paired with an electric motor and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission to propel the subcompact to a whopping 48 Mpg city rating.
For a subcompact, it handles well. Its firm suspension is suited for city driving as it easily maneuvers through tight corners and cramped metropolitan streets and parking lots. The Prius c also uses a regenerative braking system. For those unfamiliar, a regenerative braking system uses the engine to slow the vehicle while at the same time transferring that braking energy into charging the battery.
Interior
When you hear the word subcompact you don’t think about space, however, the Prius c offers plenty of it. With seating for five, you and your coworkers can carpool comfortably, or you and your friends can hit the town for a night out.
The Prius c has plenty of cargo space too, with over 17 cubic feet in the hatchback. You can pick up your parents at the airport and stow their bags, or you can hit the grocery store and load up your weekly groceries; no problem.
The Prius c also comes standard with a 6.1-inch touch screen for the infotainment system. Automatic climate control, USB port, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and Siri Eyes Free systems are all standard.
Safety
The Prius c comes equipped with driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, and front and rear head airbags. It’s 4-Wheel Automatic Braking System is paired with Toyota’s Brake Assist system that will detect when a collision is imminent and apply brake pressure to help avoid a collision or reduce the impact.
Electronic Stability Control helps keep the vehicle under control when it detects extreme sway. Its Traction Control system provides additional power to select wheels when detecting slippage and a Lane Departure Warning system alerts you when the vehicle detects a drift outside your lane.
The amount of power packed into its small frame combines with its unparalleled economy and class-leading cargo room to make the Toyota Prius c a natural choice for anyone looking for a great entry-level hybrid.
“Prius c Tennessee” via Flickr by petridish38. Used with permission via CC0 1.0 / cropped from original
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