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# 2018 Toyota Prius C Four - Roadblazing.com DHS Budget Subcompact Hybrid Car Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-toyota-prius-c-four-roadblazing-com-dhs-budget-subcompact-hybrid-car-review/
- Published: 2018-08-10T20:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T17:52:37.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Hybrids, Hatchbacks

(Contributing Editor: Tomasz Paluch)

#### HYBRID VEHICLE RIDDLE: When is a Prius easier on the eyes and the least expensive gas electric hybrid car sold in America today?

#### Answer: When it is the **2018 Toyota Prius C**. The "C" stands for "City," congested and parking constrained environment for which this subcompact car is well suited.

#### Facing recently introduced affordable ground-up gas-electrics such as [Hyundai Ioniq](https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-hyundai-ioniq-hybrid-limited-bottom-line-review/) and [Kia Niro](https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-kia-niro-hybrid-touring-quick-review/), the **Toyota Prius C** is still undercuts them all at the cash register.

#### Placing Toyota's 2nd best selling gas-electric hybrid on the Roadblazing.com / ChicagoNow.com "Drive...He Said" Budget Subcompact Hybrid Vehicle scoreboard.

#### 

#### \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

#### *Must Haves:*

**√** Low M.S.R.P:

*from* **$21,535** (incl. destination) for a CVT automatic **2018 Toyota Prius C One** . The test vehicle was a top trim *2018 Toyota Prius C Four = $26,293 M.S.R.P*.

**√** Low transaction price:

Check Toyota.com & Toyota dealers for their extensive purchase, finance incentives.

*Current retail fuel prices, adjusted down for inflation, are still comparable to mid 1980's prices.*  

**√** Sufficient capacity, Versatile use of space:

Ample girth, well padded front bucket seats; Tall rear bench > TNGA Prius Gen. 4 legroom, though moon roof shaves scalp-room; 8 bottle / large beverage cup holders; Front / rear door storage = modest / none. Under hatch cargo area = 3 carry-on suitcases, w/o swing up parcel shelf; 60/40% split near-flat folding rear seat backs; Sliding padded center armrest.

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Leatherette seats, heated in front, w/ ample cushion aided by tilt/ telescoping steering wheel](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-seats-driver-P1330901-bd.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Leatherette seats, heated in front, w/ ample cushion aided by tilt/ telescoping steering wheel 

*For Comparison's Sake*: **2018 Toyota Prius C** rear legroom & trunk volume **vs.** [**Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-hyundai-ioniq-hybrid-limited-bottom-line-review/) \= -7.0"-inches, -28%

**√** Class average, superior overall fuel economy:

50 miles per gallon in combined driving, 430 mile highway range on 87 octane unleaded fuel. ***Electric operation = 20% of energy use***

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Gauge cluster digital speedometer & 3.5"-inch Multifunction display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-gauges-efficiency-004d.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Gauge cluster digital speedometer & 3.5"-inch Multifunction display

*For Comparison's Sake*: **2018 Prius C** combined fuel economy = 7% > [**Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid**](https://www.roadblazing.com/2017-hyundai-ioniq-hybrid-limited-bottom-line-review/) ; 11% < **Toyota Prius Two Eco**

**√** NiMH battery parallel series hybrid power:

Traction motor delivers brisk low speed torque; Lower battery capacity = frequent gas engine supplemental & charge firing; Continually Variable Transmission lacks stepped sensation; Gas engine works hard at freeway speeds.

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Upper gauge cluster and infotainment screen energy flow and efficiency displays](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-infotainment-efficiency-003d.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Upper gauge cluster and infotainment screen energy flow and efficiency displays

**√** Acceptable ride/ handling

Front strut/ lower arm + rear torsion beam arranged for taut compliance, filtering most minor divots; Narrow tires grip well prior to onset of sway induced understeer; Steering assist emits heft and linear windup; Initial front disc/ rear drum brake pedal reaction slow.

**√** Fitting & Finished:

All Pri-i = center upper dash rectangular dual digital instrument screens, including trip meter, real-time energy flow video and plethora of fuel efficiency menus. The mid center stack heart-shaped gloss black bezel houses the convenient infotaiment display with crafted twin dials; Below that is Toyota-ified upward canted climate control.

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Rear seat forward view w/ single rear bottle holder, sliding front center armest](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-seats-rear-fore-cupholder004d.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Rear seat forward view w/ single rear bottle holder, sliding front center armest

The Prius C Four's light grey perforated leatherette seating = an oasis in an otherwise desert of dark complected hard panels, and pliability only where elbows rest; Some interior panels like the glovebox door = large uneven gap; Freeway engine drone and wind noise drown out the hi-fi.

**√** Solid build, O.K. warranty, +1 Initial maintenance:

5 year / 60,000 miles powertrain; 3 year / 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranties; 8 year / 100,000 miles hybrid components; 2 yr. / 25k mi included maintenance. Over 1.5 Prius C's have been produced since 2011;

*J.D. Power ranks Prius C rates a 5 out of 5 in initial quality rating for mechanical dependability* .

**√** Styling = crossover aspirational:

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Saluting high tension electrical wires](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-ext-sidebyside004d.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: Saluting high tension electrical wires

Full vehicle dark lower body & wheel well cladding + simulated front and rear skid plates = Crossover Aspirational; Pointy Prius nose less so w/ wrap around front fascia containing integrated deep lower trapezoidal grille; Darkened straked front corner inserts, dark spoked alloy wheels & integrated roof spoiler; Lower door sculpting flares toward rear quarters. Vertically flat liftgate; Signature tall vertical tail lamps.

**√** Generous standard equipment set:

*Standard:* Power windows (driver's express), door locks; Automatic climate control w/ pollen & dust filter, Dual vanity sun-visors, Tilt & telescoping steering wheel, Front overhead map lights;

**√** Good safety feature set & ratings:

6 airbags (incl. driver's knee), Rear view camera w/ park guidance grid, **Toyota Safety Sense-C**: Lane departure alert, pre-collision warning & city braking, automatic high beam headlights.

![2018 Toyota Prius C Four: standard rear camera w/ park assist grid on 6.1"-inch LCD display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2018-Toyota-Prius-C-Four-rear-camera005d.jpg)

2018 Toyota Prius C Four: standard rear camera w/ park assist grid on 6.1"-inch LCD display

**IIHS*: Front/ Side / Small Frontal Overlap = Good/ Good/ Acceptable*  

#### *Making Life Easier Behind the Wheel:*

**√** Bi-LED projector headlamps

**√** LED tail lamps

**√** Automatic climate control

**√** Bluetooth handsfree phone, SMS & audio connectivity

**√** Steering wheel horizontal spoke audio & voice command controls

**√** Cruise control (Prius Two and up)

**√** Touch infotainment display: 6.1"-inch Entune touch LCD display FM/AM Audio with USB, Aux, I-pod, streaming inputs, 6-speaker 160W audio, advanced voice recognition, Siri assist;

**√** USB x 1 ports, 12V x 1 power ports

**√** Modest front center stack wireless device storage

**√** 60/40% split folding rear seat backs (Two and up)

#### *Nice To Have:*

**√** Keyless entry (smart access, Three and up)

**√** Push button start (Three and up)

**√** Heated front seats (Four)

**√** Heated mirrors (Four)

**√** Entune Premium audio touch display, HD radio, weather, traffic & native GPS HDD navigation, Sirius XM radio (90 days complimentary) (Three and up)

**√** Power moonroof (Four)

#### *Wish It Had But Doesn't:*

**\-1**: Lacks Scout GPS Link navigation app compatibility  

#### *Which to Skip, Which to Pick:*

**Prius C Two** brings preferred cruise control & split folding rear seat to the table. If native GPS navigation and comfort keyless access / push button start is required than **Prius C Three** is the choice.

#### Buying Tips:

**1)** Try locating an outgoing model year vehicle. They come with greater manufacture incentives.

**2)** Do Your Homework." Scour manufacturer websites for "Rebates", "Incentives" or "Special Offers."

**3)** Be flexible on options and colors. Be willing to consider what other consumers would typically pass on.

**4)** Inquire with new car dealers about renting a similar model service loaner vehicle for an extended test drive.