The Prius c started its life in 2012 as a smaller and more affordable version of the hotly successful Prius->ke231 liftback. Through 2014, the model remained relatively unchanged and failed to really shake up the hybrid->ke147 segment. Now as we approach 2015, the Prius c has undergone a nice refresh that makes it stand out from its larger brothers with its sportier and more youthful appearance. Oh, and it gets 50 mpg combined, which sweetens the deal a little.

Though it’s just a refresh the 2015 Prius c looks like a whole new car; that’s just how far Toyota->ke88 took this upgrade. Sure, from the side it looks like the 2014 model, but the wide-open front grille and the “light pipe” taillights inject a little youth into the lineup.

So, is this redesign enough to help push the Prius c to the next level?

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Toyota Prius c and find out.

Exterior

For the 2015 model year, the Prius c gets a refreshed look that is far sportier than any of its predecessors. The basic shape of the Prius still very much a part of the 2015 model, but the nose is more aggressive looking, thanks to a revised grille that is wider, more angular and features a gloss-black crossbar. The fog lights also get a nice upgrade, as they are now recessed deeper into the front apron, giving them the appearance of air intakes.

Down the sides of the Prius c things are pretty much standard ware, as it looks almost unchanged from the 2014 model year. In fact, “almost” is too generous; it is totally unchanged. Around back, however, Toyota has added in a nice touch with the new “light pipe” taillights that make it look more futuristic than last year’s model.

When it comes to color options, it is clear who this car is marketed to. With hues like Electric Lime Metallic, Tangerine Splash Pearl and Sparkling Sea Metallic on the options list, this is certainly not aimed at the “typical” Prius driver. It is aimed at the younger generation that is quickly becoming more in touch being friendlier to the environment. There are other, more traditional colors, like Sun Fusion, Moonglow, Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic or Classic Silver Metallic.

Standard exterior equipment on the Prius c includes 15-inch steel rollers shod in low-rolling resistance tires, LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, LED taillights, a shark fin antenna, remote keyless entry, and color-keyed power outside mirrors with integrated repeaters. Moving up to the Two and Three trim levels add nearly nothing to the exterior of the Prius, save for optional wheels on the Three, but the Four adds in 15-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels and heated mirrors. Also optional on the Four is a set of 16-inch alloy wheels.

Overall, the changes to the exterior of the 2015 Prius c are subtle, but enough to separate the smaller and hipper model from its more mature full-size brethren, which should bode well for marketing it to younger buyers.

Side-by-side comparison

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

Interior

The Prius’ cabin has never been a place of opulence and luxury. Rather, it has been more of a place of minimalism and creativity. Small cubbies line the cabin, giving youngsters places to stash their iPhones, iPods, tablets, smartphones, gaming systems, cameras, and so on without fearing they will slide into the no-man’s land between the seat and center console.

The highlights of the cabin are the gauge cluster in the center of the dashboard and the circular air vents. Despite those being the highlights, they are all carryover from the 2014 model year. In fact, the entire cabin carries over without many changes at all, save for minor tweaks to reduce noise, vibration and harshness levels.

In terms of roominess, the Prius c is rather deceptive, as it really has decent room for most young families. It has a total of 104.5 cubic feet of room that is divided up into 87.4 cubes for five passengers and 17.1 cubes in the hatch for all your cargo. The front-seat passengers get plenty of space, thanks to 41.7 inches of legroom, but the rear seats are tuned more for young children and pre-teens with just 35 inches of legroom.

Amenities within the 2015 Prius c are actually plentiful for its class, as the Prius c One comes standard with auto climate control, a full-color TFT Multi-Information Display, a tilt and telescoping wheel with audio controls and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Moving into the Two trim adds in goodies like a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split rear seat for added cargo, cruise, a six-speaker audio system, a cargo area cover and light, and a two-tone fabric option. Bumping up to the Three trim level tosses in Entune premium audio with navi, a 6.1-inch, high-res screen with a split-screen display and SiriusXM. The fully loaded Prius c Four tosses in SofTex (faux leather) seating and steering wheel, heated front seats, am integrated back-up camera, and a standard moonroof.

Though the interior of the Prius c is not overly complex, it is well-tuned for the buyers who will be interested in this model. A Mercedes buyer may scoff at the cheap plastics and funky ergonomics, but for young buyers looking for a thrifty car on a budget, it will fit them nicely.

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

Drivetrain

Making this little hatchback do its mpg dance is a tiny, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson-cycle engine that produces just 73 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of twist. This petrol burner combines with a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor that produces 60 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Now before you start adding up those numbers directly and come up with thoughts of this being a hot-hatch, I must remind you that those numbers do not directly add to one another. The combined output of the hybrid system sits just south of three digits at 99 horsepower.

The hybrid drive system mates to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission that delivers power to the front wheels. All told, the Prius c isn’t fast by any means, but it is acceptable for its class with a top speed of 105 mph and a 0-to-60-mph sprint time of 11.5 seconds. Sure, that may be agonizing to a Fiesta ST driver, but at 53 mpg city, 46 mpg city and 50 mpg combined, you’ll pass that ST driver at the next gas station.

What’s more, should you find yourself circling a parking lot trying to find a parking space or just cruising down a slow-moving road, you can switch the Prius c into EV mode and get one mile of fuel-less travel at speeds of under 25 mph. On top of the EV mode, the Prius c has an Eco mode Normal mode. The Eco mode trims back A/C power and eases throttle response to squeeze the life from each gallon of gasoline.

DRIVETRAIN SPECIFICATIONS

Prices

The Prius c may be a little smallish and a little sluggish, but in terms of pricing it’s really not all that bad for a hybrid. The lineup kicks off with the One trim level, which bases at $19,540. From there the price shoots up to $20,340 for the Two, $21,765 for the Three and $24,475 for the Four. Now before you go all spastic on me about calling a $19k for an entry-level, compact hatchback “not all that bad,” compare the standard features of the One to the el cheapo hatches of today, then consider the hybrid system. There is really no comparison.

For reference, the Fit LX CVT runs $17,270 and gets 36 mpg combined. Per the EPA’s estimations and my chicken-scratch math, you should recoup the cost difference between the Fit LX CVT and the Prius c One within 10 years, plus the Prius c has more premium standard features that the Fit LX.

Pricing Details

Competition

Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a dead car driving, as Honda signed its death certificate on July 30, 2014. However, it is still available in limited quantities on dealer lots and is a Prius c fighter.

Under the hood of the Insight is a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that tag-team to produce 98 horses and 123 pound-feet of the twisting stuff. This all goes through a whiny CVT on its way to the front wheels to get the hybrid to highway speeds in 10.8 seconds. The sprint time is not too bad next to the Prius c, but its 42 mpg combined puts it down into the upper range of standard gasoline-powered hatchbacks.

All the Insight has going for it is a nicer-looking cabin and a slightly lower base price.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Yes, I know, this is an EV and the Prius c is a hybrid, but there are not many small hybrid hatchbacks to battle the tiny Toyota. So, the i-MiEV it is.

Powered by a 49-kW electric motor that is fueled by a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, the iMiEV is God-awful slow to 60 mph (15 seconds). Additionally, it can only travel 62 miles on a charge and takes up to 22 hours to recharge on a standard 110-volt source, but that drops to eight hours with the optional Level 2 charger. That said, it is rated at 126 mpg-e, so it certainly trumps the Prius' mpg.

On top of being slow and requiring a 22-hour tether to a 110-volt tap, the i-MiEV is one of the ugliest things to roam the open roads. It looks like a modified golf cart and I am willing to guess that it feels similar to one on the inside. But some people may like the quirky look, so who am I to judge?

The saving grace for the Mitsu is its super-low base price (for an EV) of just $22,995 before any tax credits.

Conclusion

Though the Prius c seems like a compromise to keep things cheap, it is more than just that. Yes, it is cheaper so people on lower budgets can enjoy 50 mpg, but it also has the looks and features that appease a younger crowd. Getting younger buyers into these high-tech hybrids is a huge leap in reducing our dependency on dead-dino juice, and the revised Prius c does just that. My hat goes off to Toyota for taking a risk and making a sportier-looking Prius, now let’s just hope that buyers take notice and see the value in it.