Not counting plug-in cars, the 2012 Toyota Prius c is the most gasoline-stingy auto on the U.S. market, with a combined city/highway rating of 50 miles a gallon, according to the federal government.
Better yet, the starting retail price of $19,710 means the Prius c has the second-lowest base price of any gasoline-electric hybrid in the country.
No wonder the 2012 Prius c small hatchback with four-cylinder engine mated to two electric motors and battery pack is a compelling offering for budget-minded consumers and environmentalists who want to reduce oil usage and air emissions.
The gas-electric hybrid with the lowest starting retail price in the United States is the 2012 Honda Insight hybrid, which starts at $19,290. But the Insight’s combined city/highway rating from the federal government is 42 mpg.
The new-for-2012 Prius c showcases its thrift, even including an onboard computer that can tally how many dollars a trip is costing while the car travels.
For example: A 62.2-mile trip at mostly highway speeds in a test car that didn’t get quite the federal mpg cost just under $5.50 at the going price of $3.67 a gallon for regular fuel. All the driver had to do was input the price of the gasoline in the tank and the dollars rolled up in the instrument panel as the miles passed.
Computers in most cars display miles-per-gallon but don’t offer a way to input the gasoline price to give the driver the continuous fuel cost of travel. A driver typically must multiply the price-per-gallon by the mpg on his own.
But be aware: The Prius c is a small, five-door hatchback.
It’s 13 feet from bumper to bumper — which is 19 inches shorter than a “regular,” five-seat Prius hatchback and 4.3 inches shorter than the small Honda Fit.
The five-seat Prius c also weighs a lightweight 2,500 pounds and can be buffeted by high winds.
The Prius c isn’t sporty, either. Combined horsepower from the engine and two electric motors is 99, which is 35 less than what’s in a larger, regular Prius.
But Consumer Reports expects above average reliability.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $19,710 is for a base, 2012 Prius c One hatchback with continuously variable transmission that maximizes fuel economy.
Price can rise to more than $25,000 with the top trim level, Prius c Four, and an option package or two added.
Prius c Four includes heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators in them, alloy wheels, heated front seats with SofTex material, navigation system, and tilt and telescoping steering wheel with controls, among other things. A moonroof is an option even on the Four.
Besides the Insight, lower price, higher mileage, non-plug-in hatchbacks include the 2012 Scion iQ three-door hatchback with combined city/highway mileage rating of 37 mpg and starting retail price of $15,995. The 2013 Hyundai Accent five door with combined city/highway mileage rating of 34 mpg and 138-horsepower four cylinder starts at $15,570 with manual transmission. The iQ and Accent are not hybrids.
