Toyota Prius C Getting The Boot To Make Way For Corolla Hybrid

With the advent of the 2020 Corolla Hybrid, Toyota will soon kick the Prius C to the curb

Group Vice President of Toyota Marketing Ed Laukes confirmed the news to Motor 1 during a recent media event: “You’re probably not going to see Prius C for long. The Prius C has served its purpose well”.

Toyota introduced the Prius C for the 2012 model year as a cheaper and smaller alternative to the regular Prius. The Prius C also happens to look significantly better than the larger model and features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to deliver a combined 99 hp.

While the Prius C aged well and recently received a facelift, the arrival of the Corolla Hybrid in Toyota’s range means it’s become redundant. The Corolla Hybrid is newer and more fuel efficient, almost matching the regular Prius for efficiency.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Corolla Sedan Hybrid achieves 53 mpg city, 52 mpg highway, and 52 mpg (4.5lt/100 km) combined. To put that into perspective, the Prius records 54/50/52 city/highway/combined.

Powering the Corolla Hybrid is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle paired with two electric motors and a nickel-metal-hydride battery. Maximum combined power sits at 121 hp, and it’s coupled to a continuously variable transmission that includes a ‘preload’ differential to reduce the CVT’s usual, and much-maligned, ‘rubber-band’ effect during acceleration.