2012 Toyota Matrix vs 2012 Toyota Prius C

2012 Toyota Matrix

2012 Toyota Prius C

Select style

5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic L FWD	25	32	$18,603	$19,685
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S AWD	20	26	$20,086	$21,715
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Automatic S FWD	21	29	$19,199	$20,755
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual L FWD	26	32	$17,808	$18,845
Matrix 5-Door Wgn Manual S FWD	21	28	$18,097	$19,565

Select style

5-Door HB Four

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Prius c 5-Door HB Four	53	46	$21,625	$23,230
Prius c 5-Door HB One	53	46	$18,003	$18,950
Prius c 5-Door HB Three	53	46	$20,140	$21,635
Prius c 5-Door HB Two	53	46	$18,706	$19,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$18,603

$21,625

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,685

$23,230

Monthly Payment Estimate

$328 / month

$387 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Toyota Matrix combines the frugality of the best-selling Corolla with a little more sportiness and versatility--but it still comes up a bit short in features.

The 2012 Toyota Prius C takes full advantage of the other Prius models' hybrid system, but it's smaller, leaner and--perhaps most importantly--more affordable.

TCC Likes

Interior versatility
Comfortable ride
Maneuverability

Best mpg of any non-plug-in
Competitive price
Seating space

TCC Dislikes

Limited cargo space (seats up)
Rearward visibility
Road noise

Sluggish acceleration
Busy ride
Noisy on the highway

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

53 mpg

Highway

32 mpg

46 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small Station Wagon

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

52.3

51.0

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.2

87.4

Second Leg Room (in)

36.2

50.8

Front Head Room (in)

40.5

38.6

Second Hip Room (in)

43.7

50.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.3

52.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

39.3

37.0

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.6

51.7

Front Leg Room (in)

41.6

41.7

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.9

58.1

Wheelbase (in)

102.4

100.4

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.5

66.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.8

58.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.8

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

171.9

157.3

Height, Overall (in)

61.0

56.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

49.4

- TBD -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

19.8

17.1

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

- TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7 x - TBD -

10.83 x 0.98

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.1 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

9.5

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.1

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.2

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.0

31.4

Steering Type

Pwr rack & pinion

Electric Rack & Pinion

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/55R16

P175/65R15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/55R16

P175/65R15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

225

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2888

2500

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

15 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

15 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

5.8

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Engine Type

Gas I4

Gas/Electric I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

128 @ 4400

82 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.8L/110

1.5L/- TBD -

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

132 @ 6000

73 @ 4800

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.24

3.19

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Continuously Variable Ratio

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.85

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.34

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.55

Summary

Vehicle Name

Toyota Matrix

Toyota Prius c

Body Style

5 Door Wagon

Hatchback

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.8

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.9

0.95

Suspension Type - Rear

Independent

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.7

3.6

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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