| Model year | 2012 |
| Make | Toyota |
| Model | Prius C |
| Style | 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
| Base MSRP | $23,990 (Prius C Four) |
| Options on test vehicle | 16-Inch Alloy Wheel and Tilt-and-Slide Sunroof Package ($1,150) |
| As-tested MSRP | $25,140 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected, inline-4, gasoline with auto-stop/start |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 1,497/91 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable intake-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 13.4 |
| Redline (rpm) | N/A |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 99 @ 4,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 82 @ 4,000 |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Transmission type | Planetary gearset-regulated continuously variable transmission and column shifter |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | Final: 3.19 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Semi-independent twist beam-axle, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, integrated stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 13.2 (14.4 with standard 15-inch tires) |
| Tire brand | Bridgestone |
| Tire model | Turanza EL400 D2 |
| Tire type | All-season, low rolling resistance |
| Tire size, front | P195/50R16 83V |
| Tire size, rear | P195/50R16 83V |
| Wheel size | 16-by-6 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 10-inch one-piece ventilated cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 9-inch drums |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.6 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 6.6 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 11.3 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 18.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 18.0 @ 75.1 mph |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 10.9 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 30 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 118 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 64.3 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.80 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 35.5 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.6 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 66.5 |
| Acceleration comments | Didn't matter whether the transmission was in D, B or Eco -- the Prius C had the same level of marginal performance. This thing is in no rush to get down the drag strip. Power braking also had zero effect. Engine is extremely thrashy, especially so at high rpm. Started the acceleration run with six battery bars and finished with six bars. Non-defeat traction control. First run was the quickest. |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | Short travel, firm pedal. Minimal ABS commotion. Front tires almost always locked up a bit at the initial stab of brakes. First stop was shortest at 118 feet. Pretty consistent, too: the longest stop was the third one (out of seven) at 123 feet. |
| Handling rating | Average |
| Handling comments | "Skid pad: The non-defeat ESC system took over here. Between cutting of throttle and application of brakes, you could just keep the throttle wooded to the floor and let the computer sort it all out. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 52.5 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 59.4 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.56/cross |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 53 city/46 highway/50 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 48.9 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 9.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 2,500 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 2,587 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 61.3/38.7 |
| Length (in.) | 157.3 |
| Width (in.) | 66.7 |
| Height (in.) | 56.9 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 100.4 |
| Track, front (in.) | 58.3 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 58.1 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 37.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.7 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 35.0 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.6 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.0 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 52.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 51.7 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 17.1 |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 2 years/25,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Passenger only |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not Tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not Tested |
| IIHS offset | Not Tested |
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