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Toyota Prius C hatchback 2012 review


Toyota has turned the game around with its new fuel efficient Prius C. Aiming at keeping prices down, it also costs up to $6000 less than its nearest rival.

VALUE

For $23,990 the buyer receives the base model that the maker claims returns fuel consumption of 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. The Prius C comes in two versions of the five-door hatch; the entry-level at $23,990 and the i-Tech top dog for an extra $3000.

Standard features include keyless entry and start, automatic air-conditioning, 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio, CD player, Bluetooth audio streaming and phone connectivity, USB port with iPod connectivity, a 3.5-inch colour-screen multi-information display, 15-inch wheels with a full-size spare, cruise control, foglamps, power windows and mirrors, and 60/40 split-fold rear seat.

The Prius C i-Tech also gets satellite navigation with live traffic updates, alloy wheels, self-levelling LED headlamps with washers, power retractable exterior mirrors, a larger rear spoiler, premium seat coverings and interior trim.

TECHNOLOGY

Not surprisingly, performance of the Prius C takes a back seat to fuel economy, the efficient 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 45 kW electric motor combining to put out a combined 74 kW of power. The petrol engine delivers 54 kW of power at 4800 rpm and 111 Nm of torque at 4000 revs.

The maker puts fuel consumption of just 3.9 litres/100 km in the combined city / country cycle. Best we managed was 3.3 litres/100 km on the highway and worst was almost twice that around town. A big help is stop/start technology which has the petrol engine switched off when the vehicle is stationary, coasting or braking, and when it is reversing.

DESIGN

Toyota has brought the Prius into line in the form of a standard hatchback. The Prius C maintains the look of its Yaris sibling up front, but beyond that the ‘C’ is pretty much on its own until it gets to the rear lamp display which harks back to Prius origins. Aerodynamic performance is enhanced by stabilising fins on the tail-lights and side mirror fittings, while front and rear underside covers further boost aerodynamic performance. The windscreen wiper blades are also aerodynamically crafted.

SAFETY

With active and passive safety features standard in both model grades, the Prius C is designed to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Active safety includes an electronically controlled braking system to blend regenerative and friction braking. It also has ABS anti-skid braking with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control and hill-start assist.

The Prius C passive safety package has seven airbags, force-limiting and pre-tensioning front seatbelts, outboard rear seatbelts, and seatbelt reminders for the front seats.

HYBRID SYSTEM

To say the Toyota Prius C has a multi-information display with a range of features designed to encourage and make fuel-efficient driving easy is like calling a modern computer a plug-in abacus. Standard on both grades, Toyota says this grab-bag of functions is designed to help those who are new to hybrid cars get better acquainted with the technology and allows the driver to interact with the car as much or as little as he or she likes.

Encyclopedic, its contents include a Hybrid System Indicator, Energy Monitor, Eco Score, Eco Savings, Eco Savings Record and Five-Minute Consumption all presented on a 3.5-inch thin film transistor display flanked by the speedo and warning light array. Each can be accessed in turn by means of a touch-button on the steering-wheel hub.

The Hybrid System Indicator, for example, shows how the driver's foot is treating the accelerator pedal. In three zones, ‘Charge’ is when the battery is being recharged from regenerative braking; ‘Eco’ when the vehicle is driven in a fuel-efficient manner; and ‘Power’ when the car is not being driven economically, such as in hard acceleration.

The Energy Monitor shows the flow of power between the petrol engine, electric motor, hybrid battery and front wheels. This function also includes the time, a trip meter and average fuel economy. Eco Score compares the driver's fuel-efficiency with the past 100 trips as well as rating driver habits in the areas of ‘Start’, accelerating from a standing start; ‘Cruise’, normal driving; ‘Stop’, regenerating energy during braking.

Eco Savings calculates the cost of each trip, based on the price of petrol entered by the driver. Supplementary screens show the price per kilometre and how much fuel and money is being saved against values entered for another car. Eco Savings Record enables fuel consumption and savings to be compared for each of the most recent four months as well as one year ago.

The Five-Minute Consumption area includes an instant fuel-economy gauge and also has a bar chart that displays fuel use for the past 30 minutes in five-minute intervals.

DRIVING

Performance is far from being lethargic, yet is wanting when pushed hard. However, the shortcomings can be forgiven in the face of the deceleration of dough from the owner’s wallet. The front suspension uses a MacPherson strut design, the rear with a tuned torsion beam. Coil spring and shock-absorber characteristics have been tuned to get the best out of handling, turning and ride.

The fuel tank and hybrid battery in the Prius C are positioned under the rear seat, so there is ample legroom for all five occupants and a generous 260 litres (to the top of the seat backs) of luggage space in the boot. However, we would baulk at being one of the trio in the back on a long trip with limited shoulder space, and any friendship amongst the kids could be strained in a battle for the single drinkholder there.

$13,900 - $18,990

Based on 10 car listings in the last 6 months

VIEW PRICING & SPECS

Score

3.5/5
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.