2012 Toyota Prius Four car review

No one buys a Toyota Prius to get anywhere quickly. At least we haven't met any folks as such, and after running the car through our autofile paces, we have the quantitative data to back up why it would be stupid to do so.
(Why the Prius isn't the most environmentally smart automotive choice one can make? Well, that's a a whole 'nuther story.)
The Prius does satisfy other automotive yens, however, as witnessed by all the owners we heard from, and while hardly an unequivocally adored vehicle, those who shelled out money for their own copies demonstrate a measure of respect and appreciation. One owner “love[s] it for what it is,” while another admits, “It's pretty boring, though.”
But sprinkled throughout is testimony to the car's overriding reliability, its excellent fuel economy and a fuss-free ownership experience. Owners love the roominess afforded the hatchback, the extra rear-seat room thanks to a lack of a hump in the floor and the overall ergonomics.
That's not to say owners didn't find nits to pick with the Prius. One owner lamented the sea of hard plastic, while another complained of too many rattles erupting all over the cabin. “I'm not crazy about the backup bell inside the cab,” another owner from Oregon pointed out. “It should be outside to warn people when I'm backing up.”
We also heard gripes about the sticker. “The price is a bit too high,” said one, a beef echoed by others.
We felt the same when we first took delivery of our test car, a 2012 Prius Four. The Four in its name denotes the trim level, and while it comes standard with a nice array of features, its base sticker comes in at a not very low price of $28,995. Tack on a Deluxe Solar Roof package, and the price jumps up another $3,820. A couple of odds and ends brought the final tally for our Prius Four tester to $33,118.
Perhaps some pricing perspective is in order. A base model 2012 BMW 128i, for example, starts at just $32,095. Sure, it doesn't come with the same features, but it's a BMW.
Or how about this: A 2012 Honda Insight with navigation and every possible options box checked tops out at $26,540.
Still, many people believe in the car's value, fully 93,741 through the first six months of this year—and that's with its federal tax incentives fully exhausted. But besides fuel economy, car enthusiasts—Autoweek readers—want to know exactly what kind of performance one can expect from any car, even a Prius.
The short answer: Not too much. We found the car extremely slow, requiring 10.6 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, and its skinny tires didn't do much for stopping power, eating up 137.9 feet to stop from that speed. And for as small a car as the Prius is, it still only managed 38.9 mph through our slalom (the Toyota Camry reached 41 mph) and a miserable 0.68 g of lateral acceleration.
Better rubber would go a long way toward improving the car's grip, but the Prius would still suffer from mediocre chassis tuning and a super anemic powertrain.

2012 Toyota Prius Four

STICKER
Base price: $28,995
As-tested price: $33,118
CHASSIS
Five-passenger hatchback
CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 11.9
Cargo volume (cu ft): 21.6
Headroom/legroom (in): 38.6 / 42.5 (front) 37.6 / 36.0 rear
ENGINE
1.8-liter I4
Power: 98 hp
Torque: 105 lb-ft
Electric motor and NiMH battery: 134 net hp
DRIVETRAIN
Front-wheel drive
Continuous Variable Transmission
SAFETY
NHTSA: Five-star overall
Standard airbags: 7
STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 10.6 sec
Quarter-mile: 18.0 sec @ 79.2 mph
BRAKING
60-0 mph: 137.9 ft
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA combined: 50 mpg
AW observed: 43.8 mpg
RESIDUALS
Three-year: $15,077
Five-year: $11,308

Owner's Voices

- After researching hybrids, I purchased a Prius and have 9,200 miles on it while averaging 48.7 mpg. It continues to amaze me with its fantastic gas mileage, remains a pleasure to drive and hasn't developed any squeaks or rattles.
This is the first car I've owned not requiring any adjustments or repairs in the first year. It does what they say it will with amazing engineering.
I recommend the Prius to anyone who wants a reliable and well-built car with excellent gas mileage. It's surprisingly roomy with a very convenient design and ergonomics. The only thing I would change is reduce the amount of hard plastic found on areas that are touched frequently.
Bill Christopherson, Walnut, Calif.
- I have about 20,000 miles on my Prius and love it for what it is. I especially like the gas mileage and hatchback utility. I get about 50 mpg in mixed commuting and around 45 mpg on the highway trips. It has been completely trouble-free so far. The car isn't sporty but . . . rides decently.
Christopher Gerhart, Kokomo, Ind.
- My current Prius replaced my previousgeneration 2009 model. The new one gets a bit better mileage, but like the older one, it works hard with my 90-mile-per-day commute.
I use it to pull a small boat trailer a few times a year without any trouble. In eight years of Prius ownership, I've never brought the car in for nonscheduled maintenance.
It's comfortable, quick, big and versatile enough for me and utterly reliable. It's pretty boring though, but is the ideal car for someone who doesn't want to be irritated by intrusive car issues. Gas it up once in a while and forget it.
Bob Ljungquist, Goshen, Conn.

Others Considered

2012 Honda Insight EX, $22,755
2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Premium with DSG, $26,085
2013 Ford Fusion SE hybrid, $27,995

AUTOFILE NEEDS YOU!

We seek comments from owners of these vehicles: 2011-12 Chevrolet Silverado, 2011-12 Honda Accord, 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class

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2012 Toyota Prius C Review

By David Colman
For: Ultra Efficient, Handsome, Comfy Front Seats
Against: Nervous Electric Steering, Tiny Base Model Tires
The Prius is the Japanese version of the Swiss Army Knife. You can buy a lot of different versions to fit your needs. There’s original Prius, which Toyota now terms the “liftback” model in order to distinguish it from the recently introduced “V” version, a stretched model with roomier interior. Now a third version is coming on line called “c” for city transport. The Prius c is a smaller and significantly lighter offspring of the world’s most successful hybrid vehicle. It weighs nearly 600 pounds less than any other Prius, and costs significantly less as well. The c model will be offered in 4 levels of trim, with the base model retailing for just $18,950. If you bump all the way up to level 4, you’ll still lay out only $23,230.
Of course, nothing comes free when you cut size and substance, and the Prius c is no exception. It is the only current Prius with drum rear brakes instead of discs at all 4 corners. The tires fitted to the level 1 Prius c are small enough to work on any number of motorcycles. These R400 Bridgestone Turanzas measure just 175/65R15, and do not offer much in the way of adhesion. But of course, such low rolling resistance tires are an integral part of the Prius mileage equation because their hard tread blocks reduce contact patch resistance and promote extraordinary mileage. The base Prius c fulfills those expectations by returning 53 MPG in city driving, 46 MPG in highway mode, and 50 MPG combined fuel economy. These are the highest figures yet recorded for a passenger car without plug-in capability. Many of you will stop reading right here and get yourself on the March, 2012 delivery list for the Prius c based on mileage figures alone.

But the newest Prius offers reasons for purchase beyond operating economy. The front seats are among the best in the automotive business, regardless of price class. To save weight, they are thin framed, but foamed in all the right places to provide exceptional comfort. Unfortunately, the rear seats, while passable for short trips, are too upright for long term comfort. If you order the Level 1 model, your interior seating surfaces will be covered with a breathable, handsome fabric lightly patterned with embossed graphics. Level 2 ups interior furnishings by adding contrasting bolsters to the seating surfaces. If you pop for level 4, you’ll find yourself nestled in Toyota’s effective leather substitute called SofTex, with heated front seats included.
On the central tunnel, you’ll find a couple of buttons for selecting either “EV” mode or “Eco” operation. The EV setting is useful when you’re looping through an enclosed garage structure looking for a parking place. Now you can do so quietly, without spewing fumes indoors. The EV setting works only when you’re traveling under 25mph, and is good for just 1 mile of travel at that speed. The Eco setting can be selected for normal driving chores. When engaged, Eco cuts throttle opening by up to 12 percent, making the Prius react like its been drugged. If you’re a dedicated mileage greenie, you’ll be content to drive routinely in Eco mode. The rest of us will leave the Prius c in Normal mode, since even there 0-60mph takes a leisurely 11.2 seconds.
The latest iteration of the Prius shape is the most visually stimulating yet. With dozens of aero tweaks stolen from aeronautical drafting boards, the c model cuts a startlingly low drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.28. Ridges molded into the turn signal lenses and brake light housings channel air so effectively that the Prius c is virtually free of wind noise at freeway speed. The superior aerodynamics also explain why the Prius c returns 50 MPG, and why a sedan with just 73hp and 82 lb.-ft. of torque can top out at 105mph. Of course the extra boost provided by the 60hp electric motor helps in that regard too.

There’s a lot to love about the new, lighter, decontented Prius c. Number one, of course, is its stellar fuel conservation. But its interior comfort, natty appearance, and reduced price range all make it an appealing buy. This newest variant of Toyota’s Japanese Army Knife will appeal to a wider audience than ever before. It’s the perfect first car for your child, as well as being the most sensible adult city car you can find for under $20,000.
2012 Toyota Prius C

• Engine: 1.5 liter aluminum DOHC, 16 valve inline 4
• Horsepower: 73 at 4,800rpm
• Torque: 82 lb.-ft. at 4,000rpm
• Motor Generator Two: 60hp/125 lb.-ft
• Fuel Consumption: 53 MPG City/46 MPG Highway
• Base Price (Level 1): $18,950
• Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

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