Prius C: The Oppo Review

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures) 06/01/2015 at 18:08 • Filed to: Prius C

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I recently had the opportunity to drive a Prius C in the mountains and about 12 miles on a fairly rough dirt road. I didn’t completely hate it!

Exterior 7/10

Compared with both other Prius variants, the Prius C is pretty good looking. The brakelights are horrendous, but Prii are slow, so if you’re stuck behind one, just pass it. If I didn’t know anything else about the car, I’d consider it for myself based on looks alone.

Interior 5/10

Functionality is a 7, design is a 4 and materials are a 4. Functionality is fine, but Toyota used a seemingly random collection of shiny/matte plastic with completely mismatched patterns. Even if you aren’t a dash stroker, you’d have to admit the plastics are cheap. The energy diagram is cool, but the “eco score” is bullshit. Also, a normal auto trans gear selector, not the stupid thing found in the regular Prius.

Ride 6/10

Firm, but not too bad. It feels like a well made tiny car. Road noise is a bit high, but that could come down to tire choice.

Handling 7/10

That’s not a typo. The steering feel for the Prius C is great. Fairly heavy with good feedback. I know I was surprised. The car feels tossable in the best way. Points off for obscene amounts of understeer, though.

Brakes 4/10

Yes, they work, but the regenerative braking feels weird and does not inspire confidence. I alternated between barely stopping and slamming on the brakes the whole time I drove the thing.

Acceleration 2/10

Yes, predictable, but good god this thing is slow. Already powerless, but the CVT sucks away every remaining bit of thrill. You get your thrills in a Prius C by seeing how close you come to death at every on-ramp or merge. I’ve driven some pretty slow cars, but this one was in another league. Unlike older slow cars, there is zero sensation of speed, so taking 34.6 minutes to get to 60 mph is just as excruciating as it sounds.

Maybe a 2 is generous...

Sound 3/10

Electric motor noises are kind of fun, but the CVT means that the only gas engine sounds you’ll get are droney and bad.

Value 6/10

Yeah, it gets 60 mpg, but it costs a lot more than a similarly equipped Fiesta, Fit, Mazda3, etc.

Pretentiousness 7/10

It’s a Prius, but it’s not the Prius. The Eco stuff in the menus is obnoxious, but it doesn’t scream “Ecowarrior” the way it could.

Total: 45/90

It was better than I ever expected, except for the zoom-zoom. I passed a few people and managed not to camp out in the left lane, both of which are an accomplishment in a Prius. Still, as not terrible as it was, I don’t get the obsession people have for the Prius. There are so many better cars for the money, and any used car is going to be better for the environment than a new one. Yet again, I don’t see why someone would buy this over a Mazda3 hatch.

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jkm7680 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 06/01/2015 at 18:28

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The interior looks like shit. Like every other Prius in general.

RustedSprinter > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 06/01/2015 at 18:56

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What does the C in prius C stand for?

Uncle Bob > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 06/01/2015 at 19:25

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burn it with fire!

Alex B > jkm7680 06/01/2015 at 20:21

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I've sat in one. It has literally the cheapest automotive plastic I've seen outside of GM or Dodge.

Alex B > RustedSprinter 06/01/2015 at 20:21

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Compact would be my guess.

mazda616 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 06/01/2015 at 20:27

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So..is it slower than a regular Prius? I’ve driven a 2009 Prius and it was hilariously slow.

RustedSprinter > Alex B 06/01/2015 at 20:31

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Makes sense.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Alex B 06/01/2015 at 22:55

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That’s correct. In fact I’d rate GM’s plastics ahead a little bit.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > mazda616 06/01/2015 at 22:56

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I don’t know, I’ve only ridden in Prius taxis and they feel pretty quick in the hands of maniac taxi drivers.

SlickMcRick > mazda616 06/02/2015 at 01:40

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Sure is slower by almost a full second. Even the Prius V which is the largest available in the line up is half a second quicker to 60. Prius C times are as follows:

0-60 10.7s

1/4 comes at 18s

pip bip - choose Corrour > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 06/02/2015 at 04:34

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go for another drive and feel the shittiness.

mazda616 > SlickMcRick 06/02/2015 at 09:35

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That’s about the times my first car (‘92 Chevy Beretta 4-banger auto) managed. And yes, merging onto the interstate was terrifying.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/02/2015 at 10:38

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No thank you, I think I’ve had my fill of Prius driving.