2018 Toyota Prius C vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker Senior Editor

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.