Toyota Prius C review

As Toyota's least-expensive hybrid, the Prius C, $20,850, has been much anticipated. True to its namesake, it delivers excellent fuel economy of 43 mpg overall, 1 mpg less than the larger Prius, and a stellar 37 mpg in the city—the best of any car we've tested. The C's tiny dimensions and easy parking also make it a natural for urban driving.

But overall you get what you pay for. This subcompact hatchback, which is related to the lackluster Toyota Yaris, suffers from a stiff ride, very noisy cabin, slow acceleration, and cheap-looking interior trim. In our Ratings, the Prius C's overall test score of 53 puts it slightly under its chief competitor, the mediocre Honda Insight, and is too low for us to recommend the model.

As with other Toyota hybrids, we expect very good reliability.

The C's small 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine is coupled with an electric motor and a nickel-metal-hydride battery. It's fuel-efficient, but with only 99 combined horsepower on tap, the engine has to work hard and it often struggles to maintain speed on hills.

The hybrid system is well integrated, with smooth transitions between electric and gasoline modes. The engine doesn't need to kick in until the car is going about 35 mph and, to save fuel, it automatically shuts off when the car comes to a stop and smoothly restarts when you lift your foot from the brake pedal. An EV mode lets you drive about a mile at low speeds on electric-only power, as long as you maintain a light foot on the throttle.

Ride and noise are major gripes. The continuously variable transmission operates smoothly but can hold engine revs high, which results in a raucous noise. Wind and road noise add to the din. The ride is stiff and choppy.

The Prius C handles soundly, but it isn't particularly agile and the steering lacks feedback. When pushed at our track, the C reached the limits of its grip early, although the electronic stability control system kept it secure. It posted a decent speed in our avoidance maneuver.

The Prius C's cabin is very basic. The hard-plastic panels have disparate textures in an attempt to add some flair to the interior, but they don't hide the cheap materials, including the thin carpet and headliner. At least the seat cushions are covered in nice fabric.

Drivers have enough room, but the driving position is flawed overall. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, but its adjustment range is small and many drivers couldn't pull it close enough for comfort. The left-foot rest is too close, and taller drivers found their knee rested against the door panel. Visibility is decent to the front, but much of the small rear window is blocked by large rear head restraints.

Front seats are flat and firm, and many drivers wished for more lumbar support. Most testers found the rear seat to be supportive and roomy for the car's small size, but as expected it's very tight for three people.

The digital instruments in the center of the dashboard are easy to read, but many testers would have preferred them to be directly in front of them. As you drive, a color screen can display your fuel cost and how much money you're saving on gas compared with another vehicle, based on the price per gallon and gas mileage you input. Controls are mostly straightforward, though some are a long reach for the driver, and the radio knobs are shallow. Many ancillary controls (mirrors, door locks, and panel-illumination adjuster) are unlit. Bluetooth is standard on all trim levels, as is automatic climate control, a rare feature in this class.

Cargo space is limited to one large suitcase and a duffel bag, but it can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split rear seat.