The “un-Prius-like” Toyota Prius C is sporty and fun to drive
The fun to drive "non-Prius-like" Toyota Prius
At least according to some early Prius C reviews
After more than 10 years on the market, hybrid cars have sadly achieved very little in terms of real world impact. At less than 3 percent marketshare of total US auto sales, hybrids are still just scratching the surface of change. Ultimately, prices have to come down.
That makes the sub-$19,000 smaller Toyota Prius C interesting, but now comes word that the Prius C isn’t even very Prius-like, except in terms of fuel economy. Instead, the new Prius C is “taut, sporty and, yes, even fun.”
Did someone just say Prius and fun?
Yes, the folks over at InsideLine certainly did. Like many children, the “un-Prius-like” Toyota Prius C is going to be a little more wild than its parents
While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to drive the new Prius C I have been intrigued by its looks. I’m sure such a statement prompts many to clamor that the new C looks just like a Prius, only smaller. It does, but there is something about the smaller shape and the reduced dimensions that have made the new Prius seem less science experiment-like, and more like a regular old hatchback. From the back and sides, especially, the C definitely takes on a shape of its own.
I’m still more of a fan of Toyota’s Lexus CT 200h design cues, however, but I definitely like the flow of the Prius C’s design language better than that of the conventional Prius. It even looks a little more sporty.
But looks are one thing. To now learn that the new Prius C also handles better than the conventional Prius makes those smaller lines even more groovy. In fact, it’s going to be very interesting to see how the Prius C fares in the under $20,000 car segment. (For more on this angle check out, $19,000 Toyota Prius C: Why buy a Corolla or other compact?).
Yesterday, Kipplingers named the Chevy Cruze Eco Manual, Best in Class for 2012 in this segment, but the Cruze’s numbers seem to fall short compared to this new Prius. For instance, the national average price of the Cruze comes in at $19,889, and the Cruze averages 28/42 mpg city/highway.
With a promised sub-$19,000 price and a 53/46 mpg advantage, the Prius C already seems very compelling, particularly for urban commuters. But, assuming conventional Prius ride quality, one would imagine the Cruze would still have an advantage. However, now that it appears that the new Prius C will defy these ride quality expectations, the C might provide some real competition in this segment.
In fact, maybe this is the hybrid that finally tops Prius sales, even though this un-Prius-like hybrid is still a Prius.
[...] The un-Prius-like Toyota Prius C is sporty and fun to drive var addthis_product = 'wpp-262'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":false,"data_track_addressbar":false};if (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined"){ addthis_share = [];}At least according to some early Prius C reviews After more than 10 years on the market, hybrid cars have sadly achieved very little in terms of real world impact. At less than 3 percent marketshare of total US auto sales, hybrids are still just scratching the surface of change. Ultimately, prices have to come down. That … Read more: http://www.hybridcarblog.com/ [...]