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2021 Prius C models?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Pri3C, Mar 17, 2021.

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  1. Pri3C

    Pri3C Active Member

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    Searching recent Prius C videos on YouTube I’m noticing lots of new videos coming out of Mexico advertising 2021 Prius C models. I’m linking a few of the vids below. Is Toyota making new models for this market and manufacturing them there? Does anyone have the details?




     
    #1 Pri3C, Mar 17, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2021
  2. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    Yes, the Prius c, discontinued in the U.S. after model year 2019, is still sold in Mexico (page in Spanish). In Japan, the equivalent Toyota Aqua (page in Japanese) is very popular, and it’s no surprise that Toyota might continue selling the same model elsewhere.

    According to Mexican government reports from INEGI, the Prius c cars sold there are imported from Japan; Toyota’s domestic production is of Tacoma and Yaris models only.
     
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  3. Pri3C

    Pri3C Active Member

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    Interesting! Thanks for the info. I think you’re right about them being imported from Japan. Watching the second video I linked a little further (@ 1:20) under the hood it says what I think translates to “vehicle approved for Mexico”.

    Have the headlights and front design been tweaked again?

    The top video gives a good tour of the interior.

    Does anyone see anything else, inside or out, that looks different from previous years?

    I noticed both models featured in the videos are standard key.
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Same LED headlights as my 2018/USA model. 2021/MX version seems to have LED taillights, a new change.

    Looks like the front bumper cover was revised for a different grille and foglight plugs. This is interesting to me because it's similar to the updated bumper cover on the USA models. I'm guessing this is differentiated for the Crossover styling package. Hey wait! These MX cars don't have the Crossover package at all! USA models got this for 2018-19; it's the black plastic cladding following the lowline on the wheel arches and rocker panels & black clad not-roofrack thing on top.

    Interior appears virtually identical to my 2018 though I notice it hasn't got the Toyota Safety Sense camera system.

    re: standard key- not surprising at all. Lots of features with high "consequential costs" are removed from cars in the MX market. Some don't have airbags because the insurance companies fought the replacement costs. Not surprising to see standard keys vs. the radio things.
     
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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    To be fair, the Prius c One and Two had a regular key and only the Three and Four had SKS.
     
  6. davidc83

    davidc83 Member

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    Yep, my 2015 C 2 has a regular key, no sks

    Z6201V ?
     
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  7. Steve Mty

    Steve Mty New Member

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    Hi there,
    I live in Monterrey Mexico which shares a very short border with Texas and 3 days ago collected my 2021 Prius C from the Toyota Dealer. As far as I can see, looking at specs, this is similar to a Prius C 2019 sold in the USA.:The only model available here is the Prius C... one car fits all. The car was manufactured in Japan and I bought it as a "Demo" used car with 370km on the clock. It's going to be the family go to car for cross city driving. Toyota seems to be one of the few manufacturers who don't produce cars or components in Mexico. In the last 3 days with 3 different drivers we've averaged, according to the car's info, 4.3 Liters per 100 km =54.70 U.S. MPG. I've yet to plug in an OBD11 when I can I hope to get accurate numbers.
     
  8. orangecones

    orangecones Member

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    So I guess it marches on in both LHD and RHD configurations, even if it's dead in the US. Not at all surprised about the de-contented (relative to US version) packages, at least at the base level. At least judging by NZ JDM imports, all Aqua L (base) and the majority of S (mid) models are regular key. Not sure at which point the push button on the S comes in. AFAIK all G (top) and GG (sport?) models have button. Not sure about X ("offroad" package - aka black cladding). And of course the L model also doesn't get a rear wiper, but it does get hand crank windows! So TL;DR - not surprised base models being base.

    I saw somewhere that in Japan they don't really do model years, and actual build date also doesn't really matter. The car is identified as the year it was first sold. Which makes it a bit confusing when you're looking at a refresh year. You'll find 2016/17 models as the pre-refresh and refresh. Presumably the same will apply for 20/21. Although it must also be hard to differentiate the Aqua/C from the Yaris Hybrid in markets where both are sold. Back in the before days (2015+) the Aqua/C was the more premium option and price reflected that. But for 2020+ - the new Yaris Hybrid is the better car - or Corolla Hybrid if you can stretch a bit. Hardly a reason for the Aqua/C to continue existing.

    Side rant - Why is the Corolla hybrid only in sedan body style in the US. I mean - we all know why, don't step on the Prius, but also "come on Toyota".
     
  9. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Worldwide push button start is viewed with bemusement

    Outside the us
    Standard keys are considered easier to maintain and more reliable
     
  10. orangecones

    orangecones Member

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    I've never had anyone I know with a push button car ever have problems with the system. There is really no maintenance to it beyond swapping the battery in the keyfob every so often - which is something you're gonna do if you have a remote door clicker anyway. But dude - that quality of life of literally never having to take the key out of your pocket. Once you live with that level of convenience, going back to a traditional key feels barbaric.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Look up how many people in the world do not have safe drinking water and decent sanitation.
    You will be SHOCKED.
    :whistle:
     
  12. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Careful, throwing around a term like "barbaric" given that pushbutton start has killed. Heck, the personal injury lawyers are buying up the search terms.

    Now, I don't personally know anyone who died from it. But I do know someone who couldn't figure out why her car was completely out of gas in her carport one morning.

    Our c Two uses a traditional key and we appreciate that. We just replaced the other car, and the new one is a pushbutton- couldn't get it any other way. Yesterday I installed an extra CO alarm in the garage. Wouldn't dream of parking one of these indoors without that.

    I really miss the reliable, carefree feeling I got from a plain key that took almost no room in my pocket, got me into the car, started the engine and was always found dangling from the ignition lock at the end of a journey. The feature list was very limited but sometimes simplicity is its own feature.
     
  13. orangecones

    orangecones Member

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    ... and so have traditional key ignition systems.

    Yeah this one is dead on any new car because you'll still have the remote door lock remote - be it a separate dongle from the key (really bad) or be built into the key itself. And then there are things like VW's switchblade key. Point is, a modern key isn't significantly, if at all, lighter in your pocket than a keyless fob.

    2 things here. A keyless fob will be right there in your purse/pocket/cupholder you chucked it into at the start of your trip. Surely something staying in your pocket is more convenient than having to fiddle with things. And as a taller dude, I'm sure you've experienced other keys (and things) dangling from the ignition switch and bumping up into your knee. I keep my keyring light, but every time I use the wife's keys...oh boy.


    But man, didn't know ya'll over here had such strong anti-fob opinions.
     
    #13 orangecones, Jul 9, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2021
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    And back a couple of decades you could get a replacement key from any key duplicator service, for around $5.
     
  15. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    #15 royrose, Jul 9, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2021
  16. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    If you get into an extremely minor accident to the point that you just need some paint touchup the immobilizer, antenna and other components related to the push button start many times become flakey and end up not being repaired by insurance only to be discovered later.

    I know several that were never in an accident where the fob quit being recognized
    Then had a new key/battery/fob and after paying big $$$$ to reprogram had the same issue reoccur, had to pay a couple grand tearing apart the dash to replace modules and move wiring around and reprogram.

    Immobulizers are bad enough without push button add push button and a minor fender bender can make it so you want to junk the car after it randomly doesn’t want to crank or shuts down while driving
     
  17. orangecones

    orangecones Member

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    Hey, that is actually really neat looking and glad they are bringing in new tech to once again re-position the Aqua as the more premium small car, because as it stands right now (if shopping 2020/21 models), the Yaris/Vitz Hybrid is the better and more modern option - given that the core of the current Aqua dates back around 2006 (Platform shared with the Vitz of that era, 2nd gen hybrid system). So ya, this new car makes sense. Also about time - with the recently* announced 2021 Note ePower and 2022 Honda Fit (presumably still a hybrid in some markets) - makes the current Aqua feel extremely dated.
     
    #17 orangecones, Jul 9, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2021
  18. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Sorry if I came off too loud for ya. Everyone has a feature grudge or two, we just happened to trip over one of mine.

    The Prius c was great in that you could choose which key system you wanted between the different trim levels. When you have a choice like that, it is missed it when you don't have the opportunity to choose again next time around.
     
  19. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Looks nice! I don't think will see them here unless maybe fuel is $6+/gallon. If be nice if they made it do 25 miles plugin EV. Strong regen will help city # as we can all know. Financially speaking it would not pay for it self to replace even if it does come to the US. Would love it though if they put a #1500 tow capacity on it.
     
    #19 priusCpilot, Jul 10, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2021
  20. Pri3C

    Pri3C Active Member

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    Wow, this is a much bigger design overhaul than it appears to be at first glance.

    All new hybrid system, more cargo space, and a host of other very thoughtful design updates.

    I hope Toyota reconsiders bringing these back to the US market.
     
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