DecodedCarsToyota Prius c
8 model years from 2012 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2012–2019
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 46–50 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2019)
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2012 (53)
- Fewest problems
- 2016
- Interest
- 3,942 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2019 Prius c in brief
The 2019 Toyota Prius c is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 158 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,496 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 46 MPG combined (48 city / 43 highway), 72% better than the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG, for an estimated $1,450 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file.
The Toyota Prius c has 8 model years in our data, from 2012 to 2019.
Its most efficient year was 2016 at 50 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 46 to 50 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the service brakes (52), electrical system (48), unknown or other (35).
Buying used? 2016 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2018 is the year to avoid.
2018 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 4 campaigns and 175 owner complaints.
How the 2012 Prius c compares
The 2012 Toyota Prius c is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 158 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,502 lb.
About the Toyota Prius c
The Toyota Prius c (c stands for "city"), also known as the Toyota Aqua (Japanese: トヨタ・アクア, Hepburn: Toyota Akua); "aqua" is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles. The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.
From the Wikipedia article "Toyota Prius C", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2019 Prius c pros & cons
Full 2019 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 46 MPG combined — 72% better than the average 2019 compact car (26.8 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 25 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2016 Prius c
12 owner complaints · 0 recalls
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2018 Prius c
6 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 1 crash report
Most reported: Unknown Or Other
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Prius c changes by model year
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 8 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 46 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,496 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 46 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,496 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 46 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,496 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,496 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 12 |
| 2015 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,496 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 17 |
| 2014 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,502 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 33 |
| 2013 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,502 lb | Not rated | 0 | 52 |
| 2012 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 50 MPG | 157.5 in | 2,502 lb | Not rated | 0 | 53 |
Alternatives to the 2019 Prius c
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2019 Toyota Yaris | 35 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2019 Ford Fiesta | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2019 Mazda 2 | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →