As The 2012 Toyota Prius C Goes On Sale, We Spec Our Own Page 2

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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2012 Toyota Prius C Online Configuration Tool

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Prius C Three

By the time you reach the 2012 Toyota Prius C Three, complete with push-button start, tracer display and Toyota’s own navigation and EnTune audio equipment, you’re given the first real option choice: sunroofs. 

Available without a sunroof, Toyota will add a power/tile moonroof on its own for $850, or throw in 15-inch alloy wheels for $1,240.

Paint and trim options are the same as they are for the Prius c Two, resulting in a quote of around $23,635 with the power/slide moonroof and alloy wheels selected as options. 

Prius C Four

Moving to the top of the range Prius C Four, which adds integrated fog lamps as standard along with heated power mirrors with integrated turn indicators and heated front seats, you’ll find that 15-inch alloy wheels are now included as standard. 

As a consequence, adding the tilt/slide moonroof will set you back an additional $850. 

The only other option -- an alloy wheel upgrade to 16-inch wheels -- confuses us slightly. 

Costing $1,150, the option seems to remove the moonroof option.  Since we’re sure most owners would rather have the moonroof and buy their own aftermarket wheels, we’re not sure how many customers will spec this option. 

Shockingly too, there are no more paint options on the highest end Prius C, with customers stuck with the same 9 colors offered on the Prius C Two and Three. 

Inside however, there’s two choices of seat colors. Trimmed in Softex -- an imitation leather -- customers can choose between light grey or black. 

All-in-all, the Prius C Four, complete with alloy wheel upgrade and associated delivery, processing and handling fees, was quoted to us by the online calculator at $25,140. 

2012 Toyota Prius c ECO Score Display

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Accessories

We have to admit that Toyota’s range of Prius C accessories left us a little disappointed. Aside from the usual floor mats, weather protection, side body moldings and First aid kit, the only real accessory we’d want to spend money on is Toyota’s VIP Security System. 

Quoted as costing $359, the system enhances the stock anti-theft devices on the Prius C, and adds sensors to detect if the car’s windows or doors are being broken or forced open. 

Which One? 

Given the fact that each Prius C model gets the same gas mileage, we’d have to say that the best value for money lies in the 2012 Prius C Two and Prius C Three. 

Without satellite navigation or Internet-connected radio as standard, the Prius C Two gives drivers the best mix of practicality and simplicity, while the Prius C Three gives drivers the most technology at the lowest price. 

If you’re contemplating buying a 2012 Toyota Prius C we’d love to hear from you. Which model have you chosen, and why? 

Let us know in the comments below. 

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