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Correct

 

The c has almost the same engine as the 2nd generation liftback. There were some updates, simplifications and changes, but they're quite close. I'm sure somebody out there has replaced a head gasket in one, but it's nothing like what the 2010-2015 liftback owners have faced.

Stuff worth knowing when shopping for a c:

The traction battery is smaller and does not last as long as the one in the bigger Prius. Expect 8-12 years from new.

The car was offered in the USA from 2012-2019. The trims:

• One is very stripped. The back seat does not split to fold, no rear cargo cover. No speakers in the rear doors. Simple twist-key ignition.
• Two has the split folding rear seat, cargo cover, speakers in all doors.
• Three has a few more goodies including smart key & pushbutton start
• Four has all that and more goodies like seat heaters and fog lights.
• The Four trim package was offered with optional 16" wheels. Fours with this option have a different steering rack, and unfortunately the turning circle is much wider, somewhat negating one of the benefits of a nimble hatchback.

There was a slight change to the body in 2016 or 2017 (not sure) which improved the small overlap crash test. Cars this small don't usually score well on those tests so this was a nice change.

Good luck!

 

I had understood that the 'c' has the Gen2 1.5L engine, or at least something very close to it, not the 1.8L engine used in the other Gen3 Prii. Gen2 doesn't seem to have this headgasket problem.

 

Gen 2 don’t really have a major problem like 3,
Oil burning on high mileage if not maintained properly maybe

 

The c has that 1.5 L engine, but updated from Gen 2 in at least two notable ways:

• In the c, instead of a belt-driven water pump, it has a variable-speed electric water pump like the Gen 3 liftback. The electric water pump is suspected by Toyota (per a European TSB recently discussed) of being a cause of head gasket issues in the liftback.
• In the c, the 1.5 L engine has a cooled EGR system like the Gen 3 liftback. The cooled EGR system is suspected by some on PriusChat of being a cause of head gasket issues in the liftback.

Nevertheless, one doesn't seem to hear as many head gasket stories about the c.

 

This is what's kept me from the sea they've tried to make it similar to the three and that's no good they don't do this to that engine in the Yaris I don't believe even in that little 235 horsepower Yaris rally car but .. so no C.

 

One other difference between the 2nd generation Prius and the Prius c:

Every (USA) 2nd generation Prius came with the published recommendation to use 5W-30 oil.

Every (USA) Prius c came with a published recommendation to use synthetic 0W-20 oil.

That may or may not have some bearing on oil consumption- I have no data beyond our own family case; no measurable oil burn over 77k miles in our Prius c.