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Featured Prius C is discontinued

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by IAPrius, Aug 19, 2019.

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  1. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    But please, TOYOTA, A Corolla Wagon!!!

    I can't see RAV4 as a PRIUS v replacement though - it's only got 5 seats.
     
  2. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    The budget car came from the ICE+HSD long used, very close to what Prius had some 20 years ago. In Europe, half of the Yaris sold are HSD.
    Despite the lower weight, the aerodynamics didn't help much to perform as a "Prius", but still had better MPG than the 2gen Prii (4,8l/100km Yaris HSD vs 5,21 of the Prius 2004--2008)
    Also, bear in mind your comparison seems very bad...it sets the Prius c gainst the 4Gen HV Prius, with the latest Atkinson version of the very efficient 1.8. It was Toyota's duty to get improvements in all line up models, but the cost maybe influenced...
     
  3. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    USA Prius V had just 5 ..... although other markets did have different configurations.
    .
     
  4. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    that segment is well covered by Subaru. Man, when we were in the Flathead Valley Montana? Those things were as thick as thieves. Decent efficiency, too.
    .
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't want to be negative about the Prius c.
    But I would say, at the time, I waited on my Hybrid Prius purchase to allow the Prius to go through it's Gen 3 refresh, AND to see what the Prius c would be once it came to market.
    I actually like smaller vehicles so a smaller Prius concept appealed to me. The Prius c, is very, very similar in size and even looks a lot like a Honda Fit.
    But I will admit, I was disappointed in the MPG when it was released. Toyota probably should be applauded for being able to shrink HSD to a Prius c size, but I know I was hoping for MORE MPG with the Prius c. When I saw the MPG's for both models were more or less equal, it cemented the choice as being a regular Prius. At the time, the buy in price for a standard Prius II, vs. a well equipped Prius c, was about equal, so it just made more sense to me, to get the bigger, more vetted vehicle.

    I like the new Corolla Hybrid, I think it looks great. Want to call it the replacement? OK...whether that is perfectly correct or not.

    What I think is regrettable however, even if NOT reached with the Prius c, is the increase in price. Toyota and Honda have both talked and tried to grasp the "Hybrid for Everyone" mantle.
    I would like to see, a good, smaller, Hybrid, that is has a lower new buy in price. As an option for younger people, first time buyers, and/or people on a budget.
    I was hoping Prius c might be the vehicle to grasp this market. But while it was the least expensive Prius, IMO it was never really less expensive enough in comparison to it's own inner family options.

    I haven't really seen the projected prices on a Corolla Hybrid, but I'm guessing they're not going to be less expensive than a Prius c, and be more in line with the cost of a well equipped Prius.

    Having hung around Prius Chat way too long, what I some times feel is regrettable is younger people, or sometimes just people on more modest budgets, that want a Prius, but find they simply cannot afford a new one.
    The advantage of great gas mileage often is a huge lure for these people. But the buy in compromise they are often faced with, is buying used. Which leads to a lot of threads about the wisdom or viability of buying a 5, 10, even now 15 year old Prius.

    And sometimes I feel that some people are so enthralled with the idea of owning a Prius, that they buy into some questionable used Prius purchases. Ignoring the risks of later in life maintenance costs.

    The pure reality of a Hybrid, and HSD, may make the reality of producing a new Hybrid that would compete with economy vehicles buy prices, impossible.
    But maybe more than the reality lost with the Prius c, what I think is regrettable, is the concept of a "utilitarian", lower cost, Hybrid for everyone, being pretty much clearly abandoned.
     
    #45 The Electric Me, Aug 20, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2019
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  6. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

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    I've no problem with smaller cars, but the worse fuel economy seemed bad. If I'm buying a Prius, its for the top of the line fuel economy.

    Maybe they can bring back the Prius c as an affordable EV.
     
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  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I guess so - "c" was introduced when Gen 3 was around - but there was no attempt to do another version. I was thinking of when I bought my Gen 4, I compared with a "c" and the comparison I posted was the last 4 years - both current models.
     
  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Ahhh - the 7 seat was what attracted me to it, but I bought the Gen 4 instead.. I'd considered a "v" because I was continually transporting my parents, and also 4 grandchildren (now 5). But Dad has passed away now, and Mum is in Aged care - and I've only had to cart 4 grandchildren - which is all I can.
     
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Maybe you'd be better served if TOYOTA gave you the Corolla HATCH Hybrid - these are the latest Australian prices:

    upload_2019-8-20_23-19-13.png
    upload_2019-8-20_23-20-0.png

    But even the base model of Corolla is far better equipped - RadarCruise, AEB, LED Headlights and:
    upload_2019-8-20_23-22-6.png
     
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Clearly that is what you THINK.
    I think that it wasn't making ENOUGH money for them.

    IF......it were not for the C, my family probably wouldn't own any model of Toyota......instead of the two that we have.

    Companies seem to have lost sight of the fact that brand loyalty is really important for long term health.

    When you value short term profits OVER long term stability, you are doomed.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Who was that question aimed at ??
    I don't know. A Smart Car maybe.
    Certainly NOT an SUV or a bad-assed pickup truck.
     
  12. Prashanta

    Prashanta Active Member

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    That hardly changes my point.

    The Corolla Hybrid is now their entry-level hybrid. And it's arguably a far superior vehicle compared to the Prius C.
     
  13. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Dang it...too bad the corolla hatch will never reach the USA. It looks like the perfect car for me! (y)

    I have wanted a 'hatchback Prius' for so long that I almost purchased a Lexus CT200H a while back...but couldn't justify the cost.

    I guess I'll stick with the Prius v (wagon) for a while as we need a 'hauler' that can move the kid back and forth to college. Once that is done, the options increase.
     
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  14. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    this has nothing to do with what somebody thinks or doesn't think. In the US, small car purchases are on the outs. Other areas around the world? Not so much.
    .
     
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Aqua/Prius c and Yaris hybrid are currently two different cars. When the redesigned Toyota Yaris arrives, I suspect the hybrid version will become the new Aqua, if Toyota decides to keep the name. With the new Corolla introduction, they have cancelled some comparable models in other markets.

    Corolla hatch has a shorter wheelbase than the sedan and wagon, which is why it has a smaller interior.

    The Prius c was about a generation behind the Prius in terms of drive train when it came out. It might actually have been the same as the one in gen2 Prius. I think it was the first Toyota hybrid to stuff the battery under the rear seat though.

    It was cancelled here just before getting the SkyActiv treatment. Among other partnerships, Toyota ponied up a bunch of cash for Mazda's new Mexico factory. In exchange, they would get Mazda2 sedans to sell in the US under Scion. When Scion died, the cars became the Yaris sedan replacement, and now they'll be our Yaris hatch.

    For the US market, the cost for a full hybrid is simply too high for this car segment. Maybe a parallel one could be priced low enough. It's what Honda has on the Jazz/Fit hybrid in Japan, and it has beaten the Aqua in sales some months. I think it would have to be in the HR-V to have a chance though.

    The Prius c was a subcompact. The Corolla is a compact. It's abandoning hybrids in the smaller segment, while giving a sedan choice to the Prius.

    We get the Corolla hatch. Just not with the hybrid option. Europe also gets a wagon, with hybrid option. I hate them for that.
     
  16. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Yeah...you knew what I was getting at though...:whistle: Seriously though...I hate that too!

    Maybe they will rethink their strategy due to the hybrid RAV4 popularity. Of course, I'm sure market research indicates that 'Americans love SUVs and crossovers' so I can understand Toyota's thinking there. It also is true as far as what I see out on the roads around here ( i.e. - not many hatchbacks at all ).
     
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  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    And that still is just YOUR opinion......which should not be confused with fact. :whistle:

    My family likes the C much better.
     
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  18. Prashanta

    Prashanta Active Member

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    I don't know why you're picking a fight. I said *arguably* superior vehicle. One can certainly argue it and many people will agree.
     
  19. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Relax...people just really like to...uhh...'debate' around here. :whistle: Don't take anything personally. (y)
     
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    We'll get it when they kill the Prius hybrid.
    I was surprised we got the Corolla hatch to begin with, but hatchback popularity here has climbed a little bit with the market shift to SUVs. I think GM is keeping the Cruze hatch after the sedan is gone. We were going to get the Focus Activ, a Focus hatch roof rails, but it died in the trade war with China.
     
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