Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Toyota Prius c Technology

[Autos_Editor]

'Hello city' or velocity ' choose one. Kitted out like an office on wheels, the Prius c Technology is a well-priced do-gooder's vehicle that does well at the gas pump. But with only 99hp, it's just as well that do-gooders don't visit the track much.

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[hemusbull]

You "was typically in the high fives"? What's the point of this 25k micro? For a litre more and hefty 10 grands less you have ordinary choices!

[OliverD]

You "was typically in the high fives"? What's the point of this 25k micro? For a litre more and hefty 10 grands less you have ordinary choices!

Show me a similarly equipped car that is ten grand less.

[nlm]

I've just had an epiphany. In almost every car review the as-tested price floors me. But since this is seemingly becoming the norm rather than complaining about how over-priced the vehicle seems I think rather my conclusion is that, I am just a cheap bastard.

Now that I've got that out of the way my only other comment is 480 litres isn't too shabby for this segment, only 20 litres less than a MB GLK.

[Frontier1]

For 16k I get a Hyundai Accent auto, for 9k difference I get a better looking car, less complexity, very good fuel economy.  Dont think I can make up the 9k in fuel economy, my driving style nullifies the hybrid advantage.

[wing]

^ Makes me wonder how anyone affords cars these days.  I make good money and can't afford any of these cars (according to my own math).  But I'm cheap.

[Frontier1]

^ Makes me wonder how anyone affords cars these days.  I make good money and can't afford any of these cars (according to my own math).  But I'm cheap.

You are so right, now there are a lot of reasonable cars out there. Me it's pick ups and minivans, gotta be the stupidest part of the market.

[redman]

Now, if the Prius "V" was priced at 25K it would be interesting. This vehicle would fly at 20K but to many great options for 5K less with good fuel economy.
Reliability has been proven with the Prius brand.

[Frontier1]

Now if the Prius "V" was priced at 25K it would be interesting. This vehicle would fly at 20K but to many great options for 5K less with good fuel economy.

but again, no looks...

[OliverD]

Why are you guys so fixated on the $25k price? Any car in any segment is going to be expensive if you load it up with options.

Comparing this to a $16k Accent is practically apples and oranges. In fact, a base automatic Accent is $16.5k and doesn't even include air conditioning. For that you need to move up to the $18.7k GLS model.

[Noto]

Even putting affordability aside, these things reduce to what I am willing to pay for a vehicle.  It is astounding to me how much some people are apparently willing to spend on vehicles.

You expect to pay less for a far more technologically advanced machine?  You're in for a rude awakening once you finally join this world...

And seriously, you think you can get an Accent for $16k all-in?  The $25k price tag on the Prius C is before dealer discount and AFTER tax.  Let's see...Accent 5-door, automatic, with Air Conditioning, means you have to get the GL Auto starting at $17,099.  Add in freight and taxes, Hyundai Canada is showing $21,157.78.  I see a $4k difference. 

On pure highway drives between Windsor and Toronto, I can net 6.7L/100km during perfect weather in an Accent.  I've made the ride once in a colleague's C and the computer was showing 4.1L/100km at 115km/h (hey, gotta keep the Chatham Po-Po at ease).  Even at 1.3L/100km different from the heavy-footed tester's 5.4L/100km here in the Prius C, at 20,000km/year, the Prius C uses 260L/year less (or $325 at $1.25/L) - maybe not significant enough, but if you do all city driving instead, the 7.2L/100km in the Accent vs the 3.5L/100km in the C makes a much larger difference - and I believe those numbers are near-attainable from my experiences.  City driving in an Accent typically nets me around 8L/100km.

My only quibble with the Prius C is the wide use of hard plastics in the cabin - but the Accent is definitely no better.  I'm not arguing that the C is a better car than the Accent - personally I would buy the Rio - I'm saying that the price difference is not unwarranted considering all the tech you get in the C.

[Snowman]

Why are you guys so fixated on the $25k price? Any car in any segment is going to be expensive if you load it up with options.

Comparing this to a $16k Accent is practically apples and oranges. In fact, a base automatic Accent is $16.5k and doesn't even include air conditioning. For that you need to move up to the $18.7k GLS model.

  Not a fan of hybrids but lets make a fair comparison here.

[bombastic]

You "was typically in the high fives"? What's the point of this 25k micro? For a litre more and hefty 10 grands less you have ordinary choices!

Show me a similarly equipped car that is ten grand less.

Elantra?

[TheHire]

You "was typically in the high fives"? What's the point of this 25k micro? For a litre more and hefty 10 grands less you have ordinary choices!

Show me a similarly equipped car that is ten grand less.

Elantra?

In order for an Elantra to be "similarly equipped", you're looking at a Limited Automatic. Roughly $24K, and you don't get navigation for that price. That being said, I have convinced 4 people to buy Elantras in the past year; all manual.

[blotter]

news flash:
cars are expensive.

and as it's already being stated, you need to compare properly with prices.
it's easy to look at some add and see how affordable the car companies are making things look.
But peel back the smoke and mirrors and you learn how quickly prices go up.

the Tech package is a completely loaded vehicle. (at least that's as loaded as you're getting it)
It's actually a nice little car.  If you don't need a big car and want some creature comforts.
My wife drives a Yaris and her friend recently bought this car with the same package.  My wife feels this thing is far nicer, drive better.   They're nearly the same car, just hers is older and lacks many of the options the tech package features. 

Pricing...

here's a great example of how insane things can get.
Hyundai Tuscon... every add will show this car at $19,999.00
BUT... if you want to drive off the dealer lot with the completely fully loaded version... i know someone who's paying off a $42,000 loan for this car.   FOURTY TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS for a $20K vehicle!!!!!!!!!!  How the heck does that happen!!!!
I just think, but they could have bought a million other vehicles instead at that price!!!!!

the point here is, until you actually start to build and price a vehicle, you don't really know what the real cost is.  Unless of course you want the bottom of the line, bare bones model.

[blotter]

here's a comparable:
this includes no discounts or promotions

Prius C with tech package.
cost out the door in Ontario $30,933.75

Yaris, loaded with all available options in Ontario $24,684.85


the PRIUS includes, which the Yaris doesn't have
- 3.5 inch LCD Screen
- Navigation
- Auto Climate
- Push Button Start
- Heated Seats
- Power Moonroof
and the Hybrid system

[dragonfly]

 Does this package have Satellite radio?  I find 25 grand for a gutless, hard riding, very noisy , puny, and extremely ugly car outrageous..It's one thing to be ecologically aware, but I think the need to self flagellate with a car like this is un-necessary.. I just got back from a long trip to Florida in my new Santa Fe(which I purchased for 30 grand)...I got 32 MPG on the last tankful...and rode in comfort...real comfort...It's just not worth the trade-off for me...But that's just for me..obviously YMMV.   Jack

[me_2]

My daily driver was a 4speed automatic Toyota Echo 2005 for 5 years before I sold it. IIRC, city avg was okay but not so great on highway: was on par/higher compared to my -S- cars. May the Prius C would have a been a transitional hybrid vehicle until plug-in hybrid or something else becomes available but it came too late for me.

I did a lot of test drive of brand new cars during 2010-2012 laps but they were old technology to my eyes.  I choose to kept my daily driver Saturn -S- cars (7.6L / 100 kM lifetime average), that was true until I bought my Volt. My 2000 Saturn SW2 with a 5 speed (only) manual tranny turns 6.2 L / 100 kM on a 560 kM highway ride this last week-end, without any cruise control @110. I still love them ... (Use it or lose it). My SW2 weight 1117 kG vs Prius C 1132 kG. It wasn't so bad after all.

My Chevy Volt lifetime average is below 1 L / 100 kM after almost a year later (175.6 L / 18,535 kM). Most fuel burnt was last winter. My fuel consumption would have been lower without those 500 kM (1) day long week-end ride. Soon, I would have a dedicated kW.h meter to my Volt but until then, I have to rely on Onstar's data. I don't try to convince first comer asking me few questions about my Volt from the economical point of view only (because economics vary widely form one individual to another), but how enjoyable it can be to drive electric (instant torque = frugal sport car in my minds). Don't know about the Prius C CVT driving experience (enjoyment?), I say that because I dislike so much my mother's Versa CVT, but this is another story.

First picture:
April 3rd, 2013, 5C, winter tires, mostly highway 110 km/h, left home with full battery, return home with partial recharge (18.4 kWh total use). 1715 kg, comfy, good (to me) Bose sound system, can't complain except EV-km would rise as soon above temp. above 15C  but below 30C, especially due to use of cabin A/C, not battery conditioning. During winter time, the cabin heater "eats" more energy in comparison to the electric driven A/C does.

As seen below example: 18.4 kW.h / 107.7 kM => 17.1 kW.h /100 kM (10.5kW.h/17.1kW.h/100kM=61kM avg).
20.13 L / 345.2 kM => 5.83 L /100 kM on the range extender internal combustion engine. Blended avg 4.42 L / 100 kM 



Second picture:
This capture was taken August 27th,2012: 3.8 kW.h / 31.5kM => 12.1 kW.h /100 kM (10.5kW.h/12.1kW.h/100kM=86kM avg). Note the 54kM estimated remaining after I drove the first 31.5 kM (54 + 31,5 = 85.5 kM)



Last Edit: Today at 01:46:49 pm Add 3rd picture

[blotter]

Does this package have Satellite radio?  I find 25 grand for a gutless, hard riding, very noisy , puny, and extremely ugly car outrageous..It's one thing to be ecologically aware, but I think the need to self flagellate with a car like this is un-necessary.. I just got back from a long trip to Florida in my new Santa Fe(which I purchased for 30 grand)...I got 32 MPG on the last tankful...and rode in comfort...real comfort...It's just not worth the trade-off for me...But that's just for me..obviously YMMV.   Jack

It does have Satellite radio.  i agree  and this isn't my cup of tea but for someone who wants or needs a little car with some tech stuff, this isn't too bad.  My Matrix is hard riding, gutless and noisy too.  It actually just feels like a slightly bigger version of this car (at least the 1.8L is)
As the article states, most buyers will be keeping the car in the city for the most part.

Our friend how bought one absolutely loves the stereo / USB / i-pod connectivity + stereo controls and the Satellite radio.. those are her favorite features.   
She is however coming from of life of very old used cars that had zero options or reliability.
So this is a nice change for her.

[TheHire]

Does this package have Satellite radio?  I find 25 grand for a gutless, hard riding, very noisy , puny, and extremely ugly car outrageous..It's one thing to be ecologically aware, but I think the need to self flagellate with a car like this is un-necessary.. I just got back from a long trip to Florida in my new Santa Fe(which I purchased for 30 grand)...I got 32 MPG on the last tankful...and rode in comfort...real comfort...It's just not worth the trade-off for me...But that's just for me..obviously YMMV.   Jack

Except you can't compare the behaviour of a zippy little car versus a midsize SUV when it comes to maneuvering around the city, which is where the little Prius excels.