2018 Toyota Prius C

Overview

There was a time not so long ago, while the American economy was in a slump and oil prices were rising seemingly unchecked when an ultra-affordable hybrid would have been a smart bet for a carmaker. That was the set of circumstances that spawned the Toyota Prius C, a hatchback based not, as its name would suggest, on the Toyota Prius but on the smaller Yaris. We are now several years and at least a few economic climates removed from that moment, yet the 99-hp Prius C persists in much the same form as when it was introduced to the United States in 2012. There may be some customer for whom the Prius C’s extreme affordability and simplicity will be the right fit, but you won’t catch us recommending it ahead of a Hyundai Ioniq—except, perhaps, for a demolition derby.

What's New for 2018?

The Prius C’s design was tweaked this year, matching popular crossover design cues with the addition of black plastic exterior cladding and roof rails. Some active safety equipment is newly standard, too, including forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Two new exterior colors joined the lineup this year, too: Sandstorm and a light-blue shade called Tide Pool Pearl.

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Pricing

Original MSRP:

• One: $21,560
• Two: $22,360
• Three: $23,785
• Four: $25,895

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The anemic Prius C has nothing to offer in the way of driving enjoyment and struggles to achieve cruising speeds in a timely fashion. Its hybrid powertrain is not efficient enough to make up for those significant concerns. With a measly 99 total system horsepower, it’s no surprise that the Prius C feels sluggish. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive round out the Prius C’s only powertrain, and the CVT does nothing to quicken the C’s pace. The Prius C’s small frame makes for a bouncy ride over rough pavement, and there’s no interest to be generated from the powertrain. A well-modulated brake pedal is one of the C’s only high points. It was too snowy to take the 2018 Prius C for a jaunt on our skidpad during its stay in Ann Arbor. The C’s short wheelbase means that the ride is jumpy and unsettled over bumpy roads. While turn-in is quick, the steering wheel provides almost no feedback from the road, and the C sometimes feels tall and ungainly around corners.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Prius C is small, even compared with the other compact cars in this set, so it’s not a surprise that interior space is lacking. With its budget-friendly price, the low-rent materials aren’t a surprise, either. But that doesn’t mean we will celebrate the C’s uninspired interior. There’s plenty of legroom for front-seat passengers in the Prius C, but headroom is lacking for both front- and back-seat passengers, especially if the car in question is outfitted. Our top-of-the-line Four model came with heated seats, one of the only interior luxuries that can be had in the Prius C. Our test vehicle visited the Car and Driver offices in the depths of winter, and its cloth seats heated up quickly and effectively. The tiny Prius C isn’t as good a pack animal as competitors such as the Hyundai Ioniq or Kia Niro, but it has enough cargo space for short trips or weekly grocery runs. Interior storage is severely lacking, especially in the back seat. There is a serious lack of interior storage space in the Prius C.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Prius C comes standard with a version of Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, which is simple to use but responds slowly to inputs and lacks some popular features. All Prius Cs have the same 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system; a USB port, an auxiliary audio input jack, and a CD player are all standard, too. Navigation services are standard in the upper Three and Four models, but Toyota has been slow to adopt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and neither is available in the Prius C.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

For more information about the Toyota Prius C’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.