MPG: 53 City / 46 Hwy
ENGINE: Hybrid
I’m a mpg stalker. I watch my speed, acceleration, and braking in order to maximize my mpg. I’m not a fan of hard braking but I like speed on the road and I naturally want to accelerate quickly but I try to hold on pushing the pedal to the metal after a stop. I recently test drove a 2014 Prius c hybrid hatchback for a week and found that after a few days I didn’t stalk the mpgs as much as I normally do, contrary to what is heard about many Prius drivers, who pay too much attention to their fuel economy.. even though it’s not that necessary since they’re driving a Prius!
The Toyota Prius c for 2014 offers buyers a lot for their money. Toyota’s alternative version of the revolutionary hybrid Prius has a great list price. The Prius c is smaller than the original Prius and offers the same great gas mileage. If sales are any indication, it is a popular car.
The 2014 Toyota Prius c offers up to 53 mpg city fuel economy, the highest of any vehicle without a plug and is Toyota’s most affordable hybrid model.
The angular body style of Toyota’s Prius has been a gripe of mine for years so I was thrilled to see that the Prius c and Prius v have a softer, less angular look.
With 50-combined mpg, the 2014 Toyota Prius c gets the same outstanding mileage people expect from the original Prius – 47-mpg city/53 mpg highway. Everybody in my family liked the Prius c and the larger v, the Prius v review is coming soon. I appreciate the safety features on the Prius. It has the same equipment as in all Toyota vehicles: Anti-lock Brakes, advanced vehicle stability control, traction control, electric brake-force distribution, brake assist and smart stop technology that automatically reduces engine speed when both the brake and accelerator are engaged. I also appreciate the favorable safety ratings that organizations have consistently given the Prius c. The Prius c comes equipped with nine airbags, including knee bags and an overhead bag.
Prius c Interior
From my past experience with Prius’ the noisiest part of the Prius has been the body. To tone it down, this Prius c comes with a quieter, practical looking exterior that fits families better. The car is longer, and the length increases the cargo space making it more comfortable for an environmentally conscious family of four and in my opinion, the hatchback gives the Prius c a fun family feel, not so much of a college student who lives in the city feel. The cargo space is helpful with errands around town and even long road trips. The interior and cargo space the Prius c offers, is good for a subcompact. The storage compartment above the glove compartment was a huge hit and kept things like my husband’s or son’s iPhone secure as well as a book. The Prius c comfortably seats four adults with average rear head and legroom.
Hybrid Economy vs. Noise – Who wins?
This car is about economy, and the main selling point is the astounding combined city/highway mileage that result from the hybrid technology. The first thing on your mind when considering a Prius will probably not be how powerful or fast the car travels; but to experience the hybrid’s economy, and that will make a slower ride acceptable. How quickly you get over the louder than average and somewhat bumpy the ride is something to consider. My daughter and I drove to Nashville and back in the Prius c and I noticed wind-noise more than usual but the road noise wasn’t too bad and like I mentioned earlier, the handling was great. The Prius c shares the powertrain with the Yaris, Toyota’s economy subcompact, and it shares the same somewhat noisy and slightly bouncy ride but during our 450+ mile road trip in the Prius c, the road noise did not affect the quality of the drive.
Prius c EV and Eco Mode
Toyota offers an EV mode to keep the car in all-electric drive at low speeds for up to half a mile. The Eco mode lowers the climate-control settings and caps power output, for even thriftier use of fuel at the price of sloooow travel. We tested it dutifully, and then switched it off–and found the Prius c to be quite economical even when driven energetically.
The Prius c is a great option for a small family who drives a lot whether in the city or on the highway.
For the budget minded, the same great mileage is found in all the model styles. You’ll get the same hybrid economy across the board.
The four Prius c models are:
One: A basic Prius c comes with power windows and locks, the basic interior, a 3.5-inch center screen and USB/Bluetooth connectivity, all at a price of $19,890.
Two: A Prius c at the second level gets an upgraded interior with comfort features like two-tone seats and head adjustment. Toyota also adds cruise control and intermittent wipers at this level for a price of $20,699.
Three: The Prius gets jazzed up with voice activated commands, an Entune Smartphone app, a navigation system, keyless entry and push button start, at the price of $22,499.
Four: The ultimate Prius c includes everything before it, with the addition of Softex dash and steering wheel covering, alloy wheels, fog lights and heated front seats, all for the price still below what the original Toyota Prius starts at $24,000.
As an inexpensive alternative to the Prius, the Prius C performs well for the budget-minded, small family.
Test drive a Prius c at your local Toyota dealership.
Do you own a Toyota Prius c? Have you driven one? What are your thoughts on the car?
– Alicia