
The 2018 Toyota Prius C is no longer the sole hybrid subcompact; the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid arrived last year with clean styling, a conventional interior, and higher fuel-economy ratings than any Prius.
That mattered when gas cost $4 a gallon, but these days, the numbers may not work out unless you cover lots of miles.
For a small car with high gas mileage, we’d pick the Ioniq Hybrid without much question.
Every other (non-hybrid) subcompact undercuts the little Prius on price.
The Toyota Yaris hatchback is equally old, though we’d pick the better Yaris iA sedan for its fun-to-drive character and better EPA ratings.
The Nissan Versa Note is the segment’s value offering; it too is aging and feels cheap.
Our go-to subcompact remains the Honda Fit, with good EPA ratings and unmatched interior flexibility from the many ways to fold its “Magic Seat.” The larger, newer Prius Liftback may also be an option: it offers better fuel economy, a far nicer interior, and a price only about $5,000 higher—if you can stomach its styling.
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Quick Specs | ||||
The 2018 Toyota Prius C is showing its age; it lacks refinement and is no longer top of the pack on fuel economy, while cheap gas makes the $20K price a heavy lift. |
The 2018 Honda Fit spaces out when it comes to economy-car goodness. |
With a plug-in hybrid joining hybrid and electric versions, the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq normalizes green powertrains: it’s relatively fun to drive, and doesn’t look strange. |
The Nissan Versa is affordable transportation that has an appealing price—especially for students. It’s not quick but it is spacious, especially in hatchback form. |
The 2018 Toyota Yaris is two cars: a fun-to-drive sedan called the "iA," and a hatchback relic that's hard to recommend. Four doors=four thumbs up. |
MSRP From | ||||
$20,630 | $16,190 | $22,200 | $12,110 | $15,635 |
Gas Mileage | ||||
48 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 55 MPG City / 59 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||||
Gas/Electric I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas/Electric I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | ||||
Compact Cars | Small Station Wagons | Large Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
Style Name | ||||
One (GS) | LX Manual | Blue Hatchback | S Manual | 3-Door L Manual (GS) |
Drivetrain | ||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | ||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||||
Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Sedan | Liftback |
Transmission | ||||
CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
2018 Toyota Prius C vs. 2018 Honda Fit | 2018 Toyota Prius C vs. 2018 Hyundai Ioniq | 2018 Toyota Prius C vs. 2018 Nissan Versa | 2018 Toyota Prius C vs. 2018 Toyota Yaris |