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Hatchback · Hybrid

Toyota Prius c 2015–2019 (NHP10)

Toyota Prius c
Photo: OSX · source
Price
$19,540–$21,530
MPG
50
  • Strength: Excellent running costs
  • Strength: Strong reliability
  • Strength: Strong value retention
  • Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Poor driving fun
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How it scores for you10 scores
City-friendly 50-mpg thrift and hybrid running gear that outlasts the body — bought with a slow, tinny, bare-bones driving experience.
Reliability78

Recalled far less often than cars of the same model years; none of its 4 recalls were serious. About 12% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +8 points for its wider reputation.

Safety50

Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.

Running costs87

About $1,300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 87% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility6

17.1 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 6% of other hatchbacks we track.

Passenger space35

Subcompact cabin; rear seat and width are tight for adults.

Driving fun25

99 hp, a droning CVT, and skinny eco tires; competent in town, strained everywhere else.

Tech35

Small screen and basic kit; active-safety options minimal for the era.

Comfort35

Tinny cabin, firm-ish city-car ride, and noticeable noise at speed.

Value retention70

SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.

Capability0

No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.

Safety & recalls5 recalls

Not yet rated by NHTSA.

5 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2015–2019

  • Brakes — 42 complaints (2015)
  • Recall — Hybrid propulsion (2019)
  • Visibility/wiper — 32 complaints (2016)

2019

  • RecallHybrid propulsion19V491000

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Prius C vehicles. The DC-DC converter may fail resulting in the auxiliary battery no longer receiving power from the converter, which may cause a loss of drive.

2018

  • RecallEquipment: other: labels18V176000

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico. The front passenger air bag and recommended child occupant seating positions label may not have been attached during assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re

  • RecallHybrid propulsion19V491000

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Prius C vehicles. The DC-DC converter may fail resulting in the auxiliary battery no longer receiving power from the converter, which may cause a loss of drive.

2017

  • RecallTires: temporary/emergency spare tire17V295000

    Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as state

  • Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper17 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER

    Windshield cracked from bottom to top and across while sitting and there was no evidence of a rock or chip that would cause that. Air temp was about 95 degrees. No rain, no impact, car was sitting parked and not running.

  • Complaint clusterCruise control10 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this

  • Complaint clusterElectrical10 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    For the past year or so we have had issues with the vehicle not starting properly. If we leave the radio, wipers, heater, or air conditioner in the ON position when we shut the car off, or a window down a little on a hot day, a sensor triggers a Low Battery error code. We have had the battery chec

  • Complaint clusterBrakes9 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    On 9/14/22 I was almost a hundred miles from my home in Sherrill, NY on Rte 81 south, approaching the bridge in Binghamton, NY when I heard a loud ringing noise. At first I thought it was my phone; then I thought it was a police vehicle; then a construction noise. I finally faced the fact if was com

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    While driving the speed limit of 70mph on a major highway, the sunroof on my 2017 Toyota Prius exploded. There was no warning of any kind: no other traffic nearby so no rock or debris from another vehicle; no overpass or bridge so nothing from above; it was a mild sunny day of 76 degrees so not a

2016

  • Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper32 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER

    The original windshield has a “rippling distortion” where the windshield has ripple/bubble from defective glass or installation mistakes, making seeing traffic signs or streets very hard. I just bought this vehicle and noticed the problem. It created poor road vision, especially at night. Toyota

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other24 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Coolant is leaking. There were no indicator that coolant is low. Suddenly while trying to get on the freeway the car would not get up to speed regardless how much pressure was put on the pedals. On the way back home, all of a sudden the engine temperature light flashed on then off twice. The car op

  • Complaint clusterElectrical18 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    While driving vehicle on the freeway it stated braking power low, stop in a safe place, antilock brake system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, lane departure alert malfunction. I was almost in a major scary accident.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain13 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    During summer months when temperatures are above 100 degrees when accelerating from a complete stop I can hear the engine rev and the RPMs increase but the vehicle will move at 1-2 mph. Even if the accelerator is to the floor. After 3-4 seconds the tires will squeal and the vehicle will be jolted fo

  • Complaint clusterBrakes11 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    My name is [XXX] currently active duty military stationed in San Diego. Can you please check if my car VIN number [XXX] 2016 Toyota Prius C 103k miles still covered for brake booster malfunction code 1391. I have told they are extended warranty up to 10 yrs less 150k. Toyota dealer here seems no

2015

  • RecallTires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems15V514000

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Prius C vehicles manufactured April 20, 2015, to June 30, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driv

  • Complaint clusterBrakes42 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    The ABS, BREAK, and Traction Control, suddenly turned on when I was traveling on the freeway in mild traffic. I was traveling at about 60-65 mph. I attempted to use the breaks and could feel a substantial difference in how much and how hard I had to push in order to stop. The problem has not been co

  • Complaint clusterElectrical20 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    While driving the hybrid battery light turned on. The car then began to reduce its speed and I had to pull over. I restarted the car and on one of the fuses to the computer to restart it. I began to drive the car back home and it did it again. I recently had a hybrid battery replaced in the vehicle.

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other17 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    My small battery died and it is located on passenger side, inside, underneath tail light. There us no key entry. One must crawl to back if car and dismantle many pieces to access release. I had heavy 5 gallon jugs of water in back. There is no trunk release and no key entry. The only way to jump car

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain13 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    My mom was involved in an accident in her 2015 Toyota Prius on April 19, 2022, which she advised lurched forward at a stop and when applying the brakes to stop the vehicle, she said was unresponsive, causing her to clip a vehicle and sending her vehicle into a ditch totaling her car and injuring her

  • Complaint clusterAirbags7 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    Airbags didn’t deploy in a front end collision that totaled the car. The driver hit their forehead on the steering wheel. Driver had bruising from the seatbelt. There were no warning lights or indications of any issues.

Cost to own$14,300 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$19,540–$21,530

Estimated used price, by model year

2019$9,400–$11,100
2018$8,600–$10,000
2017$7,800–$9,100
2016$7,100–$8,300
2015$6,400–$7,500

$1,300/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $19,540–$21,530
Efficiency50 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainFWD
PowertrainHybrid

City MPG

53

Highway MPG

46

Combined MPG

50

Horsepower

99 hp

Doors

5

Cargo volume

17.1 cu ft

Limited data — dimensions unavailable.

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