The closest comparison to the 2013 Toyota Prius C would seem to be the Honda Insight, but its mild-hybrid system can't propel the car solely on electric power--and its combined EPA rating of 42 mpg is lower than the smallest Prius.
Its rear seat and luggage space are also smaller than the Prius C's.
Shoppers in the Toyota showroom may also consider the Toyota Yaris subcompact hatchback, which tops out at 33 mpg; the larger Prius Liftback, which gets the same 50 mpg as the Prius C but is $5,000 or more pricier; and also the aging and somewhat grim Matrix five-door compact hatchback, with gas mileage below 30 mpg.
One comparison we think more buyers should make is to the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, with its TDI diesel engine, which is rated at 34 mpg but customarily delivers better real-world mileage than that.
Get FREE Dealer Quotes
 2013 Toyota Prius CBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Toyota MatrixBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Toyota YarisBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | |||
|
The 2013 Toyota Prius C has all the gas-mileage virtues of larger Prius models, but it's smaller, more fun to drive, and--crucially--almost $5,000 cheaper. |
With the frugality of a Corolla and hatchback versatility, the 2013 Toyota Matrix delivers on practicality but falls short if you expect a hot hatch. |
The 2013 Toyota Yaris holds true to its promise as a maneuverable, economical car for city commuting--with a cheerful, well-designed interior--but highway refinement and weak performance are major drawbacks. |
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf masterfully balances frisky performance, fuel-efficiency, and refinement in its GTI and even TDI editions, but as such it's priced as a premium model. |
| MSRP From | |||
| $19,080 | $19,275 | $14,370 | $18,095 |
| Gas Mileage | |||
| 53 MPG City / 46 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||
| Gas/Electric I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I5 |
| EPA Class | |||
| Compact | Small Station Wagon | Subcompact Cars | Compact |
| Style Name | |||
| 5-Door HB One (GS) | 5-Door Wagon Manual L FWD (Natl) | 3-Door Liftback Manual L (GS) | 2-Door HB Manual PZEV |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||
| Hatchback | 5 Door Wagon | Hatchback | 2 Door HB |
| Transmission | |||
| Continuously Variable Ratio | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
| 2013 Toyota Prius C vs. 2013 Toyota Matrix | 2013 Toyota Prius C vs. 2013 Toyota Yaris | 2013 Toyota Prius C vs. 2013 Volkswagen Golf | |
