Prius C Might Be A Miser But Did It Have To Sell It's Soul To Get There?

Toyota grew the nation's best-selling hybrid into a family of new models for 2012, including a baby Prius that teases with a low price but measures up to its parents only in its ability to bypass gas stations.

The subcompact Yaris-based Prius c uses a miniature version of Toyota's Synergy Drive gasoline engine, electric motor and battery to achieve outstanding fuel economy — an EPA estimated 53 mpg city and 48 mpg highway. That's 2 mpg better in city driving than the standard Prius but 2 mpg worse on the highway. But the tiny new car is a lot more Yaris than Prius, despite its highly evolved powertrain and familiar bean-shaped body. The baby Prius is noisy, bumpy, and coarse.

Hoorayforpeepee - 4/19/2012 3:17:35 PM

+4 Boost

Negative Toyota article from 009 ... sigh ...

Here are a few other quotes from the article

The Prius c thrives in slow and moderate speed traffic. It is a child of the city. It parks like a dream. But mine also got 53 mpg on the trip that included highway and stop-and-go driving. That's 3 mpg above the advertised average for mixed driving. ( anyone still trying to get 40mpg from their Elantra Agent009 ?)

Prius, which sells as many gas-electric cars as all other automakers combined, is the only hybrid with loyal return customers.
Snagging newcomers with just enough money to buy a less comfortable but still efficient baby Prius c might keep them in the family for life.

Horsesmouth - 4/19/2012 5:14:20 PM

+3 Boost

Another Troll Piece by 009...another loss of credibility for this website.

The Detroit Newspaper doesn't like the current hottest selling vehicle in the country? Who would have thought?

I'd love to see the Japanese publications review the new Malibu ECO model...

topneuro - 4/19/2012 5:18:06 PM

+1 Boost

2012 Toyota Prius C rides like a Yak, not fast, no pizzazz, but kicking ass.