2016 Toyota Prius c

NEW FOR 2016:

Known to Vancouverites as the EVO car-sharing vehicle and to all other Canadians as the smallest hybrid presently on sale, the Toyota Prius c enters 2016 with new available active safety technologies.

The Technology Package now features Toyota’s Safety Sense that includes lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system that automatically applies the brakes and tightens the front seatbelts prior to an accident. This makes the Prius c one of the smallest vehicles presently on sale to feature this sort of technology. The Technology Package also gains 16-inch alloy wheels, which briefly disappeared off the features list last year.

Also new this year is a new colour – Sparking Sea Metallic, a pale metallic blue. It replaces Tangerine Splash Pearl.

The Prius c uses a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder that is paired to a NiMH battery pack and a CVT. Other than a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle, you’re not going to find a more fuel-efficient car on the road. As with the other members of the Prius family, the c is a proper hybrid, and can travel more than a kilometer and a half on electric power on a battery with full capacity. Ride and handling characteristics are similar to the Yaris Hatchback which the Prius c shares its platform with.

The Prius c comes in two different trims - Base and Technology.

Standard features include 15-inch steel wheels, 6.1-inch display audio system, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio with auxiliary and USB input, Bluetooth capability, automatic climate control, power locks, power windows with driver auto-up/down, rear spoiler, power heated mirrors, body colour door handles and mirrors, full LED headlamps, LED taillights, outside temperature gauge, multi-information display with Eco drive monitor, rear seat bench with fold-down seat back, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and climate controls, all-season and carpeted floor mats, and keyless entry.

Upgrade Package adds two speakers (total six), driver seat height adjustment, cruise control, rear centre console box, front passenger seatback pocket, variable intermittent wipers, tonneau cover, rear centre console box, premium cloth seats, 60/40 split/fold rear seat, and leather-covered instrument panel.

Technology trim adds (to Standard model) 16-inch alloy wheels, variable intermittent wipers, front passenger seatback pocket, navigation, driver seat height adjustment, 60/40 split folding rear seat, touch tracer display, cargo area carpet, tonneau cover, proximity key with push-button start, cruise control, rear centre console box, reverse camera, LED fog lights, SofTex synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped instrument panel, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and pre-collision warning.