Why did you choose a C over a liftback?

If I could admittedly contaminate this thread for a moment, and offer a the converse viewpoint, I can say I ended up purchasing a standard Prius probably primarily because my previous vehicle was a Honda Fit. Which I really, really liked. And I generally like smaller vehicles as opposed to larger. Easier to park, IMO often more "fun" to drive.

But when I looked at the Prius c, it just reminded me so much of The Honda Fit, that I wanted something just a little more different. I did not want to be owning the Prius c and constantly comparing it to the Honda Fit.

I kind of suspect, had I not owned a Honda Fit, I probably would of ended up in a Prius c.

But the extra room is nice, and the older I get the more I value the "larger" smoother, (I think)- driving experience.

And they keep telling me I'm not getting any younger.

 

Your choice is perfectly understandable.

I got the C but my wife has a Fit.

Fit is better in terms of cargo space and the foldable rear seats make for a more versatile rear area.
Fit is not so good on MPGs but it's a fun drive.

I like both cars but I can understand what you say - the Fit is a great vehicle. Maybe if Honda finally brings an updated hybrid Fit to the US market...which has been a rumor for almost 5 years.

YMMV

 

You say this like your C doesn't have rear folding seats.

 

Sorry - should have said that the Fit rear seats fold flat - so the cargo area is level and flat all the way to the back of the front seats.
The Honda rear seats - HOW TO: Use Your Magic Seats - Unofficial Honda FIT Forums - make for a very versatile cargo area. Fold the front passenger seat forward and I can carry long boxes or building material that my C would have difficulty with. Funny - this Fit shown is the same Honda blue color as my wife's Fit.

I know anyone who's owns or owned a Fit - like The Electric Me - appreciates this feature.


YMMV

 

Ah, gotcha.

 

I had a few reasons for choosing a C over a Liftback. Still loving my choice.

My subjective reasons:
The C's cheap and cheerful look.

I like my C (trim 2) because it has a key and shifter, just like our old cars.
I was afraid I'd walk away from a push-to-start model and leave it in a
not-fully-shut-down state. (Happened to my brother in his "V".)

I didn't like the split view out the back of the Liftback, and really
didn't like the center console. I've heard so many complaints about that
massive console I'd be surprised if it is carried over in the next redesign.


On the numbers side:
I wanted a small car and the 3rd Gen Liftback was only 2" shorter than our CR-V.
At 18" (.46m) shorter than a Liftback, parking the C is a delight.
The beauty of the Prius family (C, Liftback, V) is that they overlap a little
in size/utility but not enough for one to really steal share from the others.

To simplify lifetime cost comparisons I use estimated purchase price
+ cost of fuel over 120,000 mi.(193000 km) (I *always* keep cars past 120k.)
C was #1 by this measure - cheaper than any similarly-equipped B-segment car.
Liftback was mid-pack. That's OK, but there's more competition
from diesels at that price point.

93% of the population thinks the C is better looking than the Liftback.
OK, I made up that number. I'm sure it's higher.

 

87% of the time, percentages are made up on the spot.

 

I'm so horribly torn on this topic... I like small (currently drive a smart). I LOVE QUIET. I love cheap. I LOVE the center console on the liftback, and honestly don't like the interior on the c at all. Really like the front on the c, don't really care for the rear of the c. I don't hate the Liftback styling, but it's more of a "form follows function" bit for me, anyway. Over-all, I want cheap-to-own-long-term, quiet, comfortable, reliable.

Prius c = cheap(er), small, front styling, rear visibility
Prius = QUIET, Console, front/rear styling works for me, poor rear visibility.

So, there's my dilemma. I've, to this point, stuck with the liftback. I'm currently renting one for a week to see if I like it. And I do. but it still feels huge to me, especially when trying to back into a parking space (and I used to drive semi/tractor/trailer trucks). I almost feel like I need to "get out and look" when parking the liftback (especially when dirty, and the lower window becomes coated). But, mostly because I'm afraid the c is loud and jittery. I've had enough of that with the smart. BUT, the c is probably a limo/noise-cancelling heaven box compared to my smart. We'll see. Might go test one this afternoon.

 

I own a Prius 2, no back-up camera. I would say that my pre-purchase concerns about rearward visibility have faded. My experience is if you properly adjust your mirrors, and employ blind spot mirrors, along with I personally fold the rear seat headrests forward when nobody is in the back, THEN the rearward visibility is IMO quite passable.

 

After driving the liftback for 5 days, I agree, the rearward viz isn't as bad as I had felt during 3 mile test drives. And I really really like how quiet it is, and how well it comfortably hauled 5 of us to a hockey game this weekend. But, I do like the size/price/exterior of the c. And I know most c-folks really hate the console on the liftback, but... I absolutely love it. I'm not sure what it is, but it's sleek to me. My other half doesn't like it because it gets in the way of his knee. But he has a new Tundra, so he couldn't really care less what I get as long as I'm happy with it.

 

You might be pleasantly surprised when you drive the c - I don't find it jittery at all, and I run it at highway speeds on the dreadful roads around NYC.

 

I picked the C because it was cheaper and I hate the console in the lift back.

 

We have a 2012 lift back and our daughter has a 2012 "C" . I really like the C a lot but having to use a key to switch the status to " ready " is a throwback after driving the lift back for 2 years !

 

Nah, it's definitely 216% of the time... I heard it on the news


I'm still infatuated with my C Compared to when I drove my SUV, I see so many more people checking out my little car when I'm driving it around town, the car is like a view magnet

 

Although the price point was quite nice, I ultimately chose the C mostly because of the size, as I drove a 2-door Civic coupe for many years and really like driving a smaller car. I like being able to fit into smaller parking spaces and don't get much use out of the backseat as it is. Also I liked the overall positioning of the shifter and the console (and the touchscreen in the 3/4) more than the Prius. I concede the regular Prius comes in some really nice colors that I wish were available for the C (particularly the dark grey and dark blue).

 

I like the hatchback over the liftback.

 

I like the C better because it looks sporty and gets a little better gas mileage. I also did not like the center console on the original version.

 

Sportier and wanted something that would be a little better on gas seeing as it would be used as a daily commuter…… Already have a lift back (mine ) and the vehicle that was being traded in for the C; had to keep payments relatively the same or lower…. wanted another lift back, but couldn't get the numbers right…. the other half saw the C in Summer Rain and had to have that…. it was a nice alternative to another Gen3 which would have been purchased in the Barcelona Red Metallic…. but Couldn't beat the Lease Special on the C - $199 a month from TFS.. Wish we would have gotten a C4, but I'm making enhancements to the C1 to make it our own….




The C now has mudguards, I need to do another photo shoot lol

 

For me, I was interested in the Volt, but still too cost prohibitive to justify, then I looked at the Prius Plug-In, but it at least needs the range of the Volt for me to even consider it, but then I learned about the beauty that is the C and I fell in love with it instantly. Two weeks in and not a single regret! I am on a lease, so maybe if the Plug-In technology improves (and style too) I may go that route. But I don't know, I'm enjoying my C so much I may lease into a 2016 at the end or end up just buying it.

 

We were looking at a Kia, when I read about the Prius. My wife really liked the Corolla cars she's owned,
so selling her on the Prius was done with a short test drive..

We don't have a zillion miles on it, but the C2 our main transportation around town.
My 2009 Ford Escape is connected to a battery charger 24/7.
Because it hardly ever gets used. (Hauling hot water tanks, lawn care supplies, new snow blowers, lawn mowers & etc).
I'm pretty use that a used Prius V could easily haul all that stuff..