Since 1997, the Toyota Prius has been the top-selling hybrid car in the country. Today, the Prius continues to hold the top spot, thanks to great innovation and a variety of options. If you’re new to the Prius, you may not know that the 2016 model year comes in three choices: the Prius, Prius v, and Prius c. Each of these has its own great set of perks, yet they’re all different. To make the right decision for your needs or lifestyle, follow this handy guide.
Fuel Economy
This is the reason you’re buying the Prius, right? Therefore, it’s the first aspect to tackle when choosing the right Prius. All three models offer fuel economy that’s well above average, but each is slightly different. The standard Prius offers up to 58 miles per gallon city and 53 mpg highway. The slightly smaller Prius c has a bit less efficiency with 53 mpg city and 46 mpg on the highway. With its hatchback design, the Prius v is the largest in the Prius family, but it still gets a respectable 44 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Remember that the engineering on hybrids makes them more fuel-efficient in the city than on the highway, which is the opposite of traditional gas-powered vehicles.
Cargo Space
Cargo space was perhaps the most important factor when Toyota expanded the Prius lineup. The Prius c is essentially a compact version of the standard hybrid and provides only 17.1 cubic feet of cargo space. In comparison, the standard Prius offers anywhere from 24 to 27 cubic feet of space, depending on the configuration. If lots of room is at the top of your checklist, the Prius v is the sound choice. Because of its larger size and full hatchback rear door, the Prius v accommodates 34 cubic feet of space. If you put the rear seats down, it packs an impressive 67 cubic feet.
Engine Size
Not many people opt for a Prius based on power, but it is good to know that you can get some acceleration when you need it most. The Prius c has the smallest engine of the group with a 1.5 liter, four-cylinder that delivers 99-horsepower. It’s a bit slower than the other two, which boast a 1.8 liter, four-cylinder engine. The standard Prius gets 121-horsepower, while the Prius v gets 134-horsepower. Although none of these engines will win you any drag races, they do perform with enough power to get the job done.
Price Points
The best part about having three choices is that there’s a model to fit your budget. The Prius c starts at a very affordable $19,560. The next price point is the standard Prius, which you can take home for $24,200. At the high-end, the Prius v is just under $27,000, but the extra space is worth the cash.
No matter which of the Prius models you choose to buy, you’re going to get exemplary fuel economy, a plethora of options, and a great value. Perhaps the only difficult choice is which color.
Image via Toyota.com
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