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TOYOTA Prius C (Aqua) Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 3
First production year: 2012
Engines: Hybrid
Body style: Hatchback
TOYOTA Prius c photo gallery

Toyota tried to make a more affordable version of the Prius and introduced the Prius C in 2012, which was updated in 2015 and 2017.

The Japanese carmaker was the starter of the hybrid revolution. While in the beginning, it was the only offer on the market, later on, more and more brands joined the trend, but Toyota kept trying to stay ahead. To compete against cheaper options, it built the Prius C, a more affordable car to buy, and offered one of the best fuel efficiencies on the market.

With the 2017 facelift, the carmaker brought a new front bumper and different headlights. Toyota removed the daytime running lights from the bumper's side scoops, which they shared the space with the fog lights, and migrated inside the headlamps. On the sides, the carmaker installed black plastic moldings around the wheel arches, where it fitted standard 175/65R15 tires.

For Toyota, it wasn't easy to cut costs and still kept the same quality standards. The carmaker chose to use lower quality plastics inside the cabin but kept the same up-market infotainment systems and the same drivetrain as in the regular Prius. For the 2018 model, the Prius C featured a standard backup camera for the entire range.

Under the hood, Toyota installed the same 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor plus a 0.9 kW NiMh battery pack as its predecessor. It was a cheaper but trustworthy solution. After all, all it mattered was the fuel efficiency, and with an average of 46 mpg (5.1 l/100 km), the Prius C was one of the best offers in its class.

full description and technical specifications
TOYOTA Prius C (Aqua) photo gallery

The Toyota Prius changed the way people looked at hybrid vehicles. First, they saw them as more expensive. In 2012, Toyota launched a more affordable model: Prius C, which was refreshed in 2015.

Toyota gained a lot of experience in building hybrid vehicles since the first generation of Prius was launched back in 1997. So, 15 years later after their first hybrid and looks like they were ages ahead. Since the Prius was far more important in the city than on the highway, the Toyota engineers built a Prius for the City. This is why it was named Prius C. It had a shorter body than the regular Prius, and it was built cheaper.

The exterior looked just like a nice small city hatchback. From the side, it looked like a Prius that traded half of its trunk for a roof-spoiler.

Inside, the Prius C had enough features to make the life easier, starting with the AC unit, an automatic transmission (CVT-type) and an infotainment unit with a new 7" color touch-screen display. An upgrade to a better system, which came with navigation and Entune music app, was available as an option.

Under the hood, Toyota installed a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor plus a 0.9 kW NiMh battery pack. In a world where the Li-Ion was the top quality battery, Toyota chose the older version that was heavier but cheaper. After all, it was a cheap and very fuel-efficient vehicle, with urban fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km (53 mpg).

full description and technical specifications
TOYOTA Prius C (Aqua) photo gallery

Since its introduction to the market in 2012, the Toyota Prius became more and more expensive. This is why Toyota decided to launch a more affordable version: Prius C.

Toyota experience in the hybrid segment is undeniable. Their commitment to this trend ran strong over the years and one after another, the car-manufacturers started their own hybrid vehicles. The main downside of a hybrid car is the price. Regardless of the fuel-efficiency, the acquisition price it was high. Not for the Prius C, that started under USD 20.000.

The Prius C sat on the subcompact Toyota B-platform, also used for the Yaris.. Thus, the production costs were kept low. The hatchback vehicle was 4-meter (157.4”) long and due to its limited wheelbase of 2550 millimeters (100.4”), the rear legroom for the passengers wasn't that great. But the main reason why Prius C was launched was to attract more people to the hybrid side and lure it with a low acquisition price.

There were four trim levels named simple: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The top-spec had 16” light-alloy wheels, body-color rearview mirror, and better upholstery. But regardless of the trim level, these had the same powerplant. A 1.5-liter engine, an electric motor paired to a CVT automatic transmission and a NiMh battery pack. The air-conditioner was available from the base level. On upper trims, the car had a navigation system and a nicer infotainment system.

full description and technical specifications