Toyota updates Prius C hybrid hatch
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 17th Aug 2017
Keeping the title of Australia’s most affordable hybrid vehicle, the base Prius C has increased in price by $590 to $24,040 plus on-roads, while the top-spec i-Tech has gone up by just $30, to $26,540.
Additional standard specification over the outgoing model include satellite navigation with Toyota Link connected mobility, while the multi-information display on both variants has increased in size from 3.5- to 4.2-inches.
The base Prius C also gains the premium steering wheel with integrated buttons from the i-Tech variant.
Exterior design changes have meant the Prius C has grown in length by 55mm to 4050mm, thanks to a 15mm extension to the rear spoiler and 40mm to the front bumper.
The front bumper, bonnet and fenders have been tweaked, while the grille has been restyled for a more prominent look, with i-Tech variants featuring a chrome-plated bar across the upper air intake.
Headlights have also been redesigned, and are offered in LED form for the i-Tech and halogen for the base model.
Two new exterior colours – Hornet Yellow and Aquamarine – have been added, and the i-Tech receives newly-designed 15-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Prius C receives a new black steering wheel with silver highlights, a redesigned centre cluster and more cargo space in the rear thanks to a temporary spare wheel.
Multiple measures have been taken to increase structural rigidity and handling, including larger and stiffer lower-rear panels and additional spot welds to the rear-wheel housings.
No changes have been made to the Prius C’s powertrain, which teams a 54kW 1.5-litre aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine to a 45kW electric motor for a combined output of 74kW/169Nm teamed to continuously-variable transmission.
Combined fuel consumption for the hybrid powertrain is rated at 3.9 litres per 100km, with CO2 emissions of 90 grams per 100km.
Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb highlighted the green credentials of the Prius C, pointing to “its remarkable fuel economy and resultant low environmental impact, both of which are becoming increasingly important factors in any new-car purchase”.
So far in 2017 Toyota has sold 441 examples of the Prius C, down 22.8 per cent on the 571 it sold to the same point last year.
The light-car segment has been dominated by the Hyundai Accent, selling 9865 examples so far in 2017, followed by the Mazda2 (7426) and Toyota Yaris (6967).
| 2017 Toyota Prius C pricing* | |
| Prius C (a) | $24,040 |
| Prius C i-Tech (a) | $26,540 |
