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2012 Toyota Prius c consumer reviews

$18,950 starting MSRP
side view of 2012 Prius c Toyota
(99 reviews)
93% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.4
  • Interior 4.2
  • Performance 4.2
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 4.5
  • Reliability 4.8
Explore the 2012 Toyota Prius c
Shop the 2012 Toyota Prius c

Reliable!!!

I’m 46 and I have had many different cars but this one in particular is the best of the best, it is 2024 I live in Chicago and this car is so strong, no rust, transmission works perfect, engine is amazing and I put 300k plus miles on it DO YOU BELIEVE IT!!?? You better!!! and after all this miles a learn so much about that you need to pay attention to make their life longer. I totally recommend to have one of this.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Outstanding Fuel Mileage... and that's it.

First things first, this car cost under $20k new so keep that in mind as I write the pros and cons. For starters, this car gets excellent fuel mileage. 50 MPG! That is, if you don't drive like a maniac and frequently stop. On the highway you're looking at maybe 43 mpg on average. This is also a very reliable car, I've owned mine for five years and only ever done oil changes and she keeps running. This car is also very small, which is either a pro or con depending on the person you talk to. It's great for city driving, but not so much rural or even urban. The Prius c is also PAINFULLY slow. I'm pretty sure an 80s civic could beat this thing in first gear, that's how slow it is. However, because this car is so small and weighs just under 2500 lbs, it turns exceptionally well in the corners. Then there is that dreaded cvt whine that you'll be hearing time and time again if you ever want to go faster than 30 mph. The interior of the car is also very bland and filled with a LOT of plastic. Virtually everything you can touch inside the car is made of plastic, excluding the seats of course. The inside space is also very tight for anyone taller than 5'10". The seats are somewhat comfortable and are very durable but at the same time are prone to stains. What really is disappointing is the fact that there is a ton of road noise in this car. Once you pass the 35 mph threshold the only thing you'll be hearing is wind noise. So much so that even listening to music in the car becomes problematic. All in all this is a fantastic car... If you live in the city or any other small district where parking is scarce and the streets are narrow. You can make do with all the faults of this car for the sake of the mpg, but personally I don't think it outweighs the cons. I've had this car for five years now and while it has never failed me I would not keep this vehicle around for much longer. That's not to say that it's a ticking time bomb, it's just not the car for me anymore.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
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the most reliable car I've owned

I spent little on this car, but it served me until it was sold. I like the fast acceleration at 80 mils. Consumes little fuel in the city. Even obscenely little. I was pleased with this car.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
7 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Radio does not work when outside temp is cold

Like it. When car is cold radio will not work. USB will not work. Drive it 10 minutes stop, turn off then on, they’ll work

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Reliable and Best Value for Hybrid

Awesome city car. Fits in tight spots and gets great gas mileage. Holds its value very well and has been one of the smartest car purchases I have ever made. It might not turn heads but it reliably gets you where you need to go without burning a lot of fuel. Love this car.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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So far so good.

Great to drive, great on gas great looking car. I've had no problems so far and enjoy having it. Would buy another one. Very pleased.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Literally the most reliable car we’ve owned

If we were looking for a pre-owned car, this is the one we’d hope to find. Wishing one of our adult kids needed one right now. But they don’t, so others get opportunity to acquire the most reliable and attractive car we’ve owned, of dozens. Selling only because my wife, after experiencing hybrid technology, now wants to go fully electric. We will be sad to see this one go.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Best purchase I have ever made

I bought this in 2012 thinking it would be of good value. Turns out, that it was a great value. I love feeling that I am saving money and that my car holds it value.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Very reliable car with exceptional gas mileage

This car has been great. Gas mileage is amazing, yet has enough pep to accelerate fully onto a highway. Only thing I wish Toyota would fix is their Entune sound system. Bluetooth lags and the system is glitchy. Great car otherwise!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Exactly what I was looking for

This car was just what I was looking for. I drive a lot so I wanted something with great gas mileage. It is very small, yet still has decent trunk space. It handles great and I feel safe when driving it, the only concern is how light it is so on windy days it can be a bit nerve wracking, but that comes with the size, at least the battery does add some extra weight.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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