Toyota has unveiled the fourth Prius model, the 2012 Prius c, today in Detroit. The Prius c is now the smallest Prius available and will start under $19,000 when it hits dealers this March. How small is it? It’s about the same size as the Toyota Yaris and is 19-inches shorter than the Prius Liftback. The Prius c also weighs 542 lbs. less weight than the Prius Liftback (2,500 vs. 3,042 lbs.).
Since it’s the smallest Prius, the thing most of us are most eager to hear about is its fuel economy ratings. Toyota has announced that the Prius c will have a rating of 53 mpg in the city, 46 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 50 mpg. The Prius c is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor within a CVT. The system has a total output of 99 horsepower and the nickel-metal hydride battery rides below rear bench.
