CAR WARRIORS: TOYOTA PRIUS C 2015

Monday, June 29, 2015

TOYOTA PRIUS C 2015

Here’s an interesting fact, the Chrysler marque currently offers three models; Chrysler 300, Chrysler 200, and Chrysler Town and Country. By comparison, Toyota offers four different versions of the Prius. That’s right; Toyota offers more different versions of the Prius model than exists Chrysler models–period.

The subject of this 2015 Toyota Prius c Road Test Review is part of a family, which includes the standard Prius Hatchback, the Plug-in version of the Prius Hatchback, and the station wagon-like Prius V. Among them, the Prius c is the most affordable member of the family.

Based largely on Toyota’s Yaris, the Prius c is also considerably smaller than the other Prius-badged Toyotas. The “c” suffix stands for city, which is exactly where this little runabout shines. By their very nature, hybrids get better fuel economy in city driving, so as a city car, the Prius c starts off with a significant advantage. With a base price of $20,755, the Prius c is offered in four states of trim literally One, Two, Three, and Four; making the 2015 Toyota Prius c as easy to order as it is efficient with fuel.

Standard features on the Prius c One include automatic climate control, full power accessories, a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, voice commands, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a folding rear seat, and a multifunction display.

The Prius c Two starts at $21,560, and adds a 40/60 split folding rear seat, cruise control, a center console storage bin, a cargo cover, and a six-speaker audio system.

Prius c Three starts at $22,985, and adds keyless entry and ignition, navigation, Toyota’s Entune smartphone application integration, and satellite radio.Toyota intends the levels to be self contained, so very few options are offered. However, the sunroof and alloy wheels can be added to the Three, and you can get 16-inch alloy wheels for the Four.For the 2015 model year, the Toyota Prius c got refreshed front and rear styling. Elements include new headlights, the now signature Toyota big-mouth grille, and new taillights. Still, though, one of the Prius c’s prime assets is the fact that it is instantly recognizable as a Prius. After all, for the vast majority of the motoring public, that shape epitomizes hybrids.

That said, one of the smartest things Toyota did with the Prius c was give it a familial resemblance to the other Prius models. Its tidy size in comparison to the others also gives it more of a youthful exuberance, and indeed younger people are attracted to the c more than the other Prius autos. That shape is also responsible for the excellent .28 coefficient of drag the Prius c achieves.

The look of the interior is cutting edge techno-chic. Like its Prius siblings, the instrument panel resides atop the dash, and is situated more toward the center of the car than the driver. It seems a bit weird when you first see it, but in use it proves to be an effective arrangement.Seating is comfortable overall, though the steering wheel could telescope out a bit farther to accommodate the legs of taller drivers. When we adjusted the driver’s seat so our legs could find happy (plenty of room for that by the way), we had to reach in a bit to grasp the wheel. When seated in the rear, legroom was fine, as long as the taller among us seated in the front were willing to share. Headroom was more than adequate too.

The stubby styling of the Toyota city car might lead you to believe cargo-carrying capability is at a premium. However, the Prius c’s folding rear seat gives the littlest Prius some 17 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The seat folds as one piece in the c One; all of the other trims offer a split fold.For us though, where the Prius c really surprises and delights is in its standard feature set.

As we mentioned in the Models and Prices section, the Prius c’s standard equipment list includes such notables as automatic climate control and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-Information Display, and Bluetooth hands-free controls. Every Prius c also features remote keyless entry. If you want to get a little more spendy, you can also opt for the optional Display Audio system with its satellite navigation function and Toyota’s Entune system.

Functioning through your smart phone, but wholly integrated into the car, Entune brings applications such as Open Table, Bing, and Pandora to the Prius c’s standard display screen. Entune also pipes real time information such as traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports, and stock prices into the c.

If this diminutive Toyota hybrid is starting to look like a lot more than just an economy car to you, you’re very astute.In crash testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Prius c the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side-impact, rear crash, and roof strength tests. However, in the very tough to pass small overlap frontal offset test, the Prius c scored “Poor,” which is...quite the opposite of "Good."

NHTSA awarded the Prius c four out of five stars overall. The model earned four stars in frontal crash protection, and four stars in side crashes. So while the Prius c isn’t among the absolute best, it’s no deathtrap either.

Standard safety features include stability control; traction control, and hill start assist. The model’s complement of nine airbags includes front seat side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and a set of side curtain airbags. The Prius c also gets antilock brakes (front discs, rear drums), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Toyota’s Smart Stop Technology,Prius c’s 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine makes 73 horsepower and 82 ft.-lbs. of torque. The two electric motors/generators fitted to the car produce an additional 60 horsepower and 125 ft-lbs of torque. Altogether, the powertrain generates a total system output of 99 horsepower.

It doesn’t sound like a lot, until you realize the Prius c weighs only 2,500 pounds.

The Toyota’s gasoline engine also charges the battery pack. This can be used to run the Prius c solely under electric power for short distances at relatively low speeds (in the EV mode). Braking and deceleration also recharges the battery pack.

A continuously variable transmission routes the engine’s power to the front wheels.

The EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Prius c’s fuel consumption at one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline for every 53 miles traveled in the city, 46 on the highway, and 50 combined. With its 9.5-gallon fuel tank, the Prius c has a theoretical range of 503.5 miles on the highway.

Driving the Prius c around town is really no different than driving its larger Prius siblings for the most part. While the c gives up some 35 horsepower in comparison, it also enjoys a minimum of a 542-pound weight advantage over its porkier stablemates. Thus, performance between all Prius models is about on par. Keep in mind though, we’re talking about a Prius here, so the word “performance” is a relative term.

The fact of the matter is that none of the Prius models are terribly exciting to drive; however of them all, the Prius c is the one that could be considered the closest to being kind of fun. Still though, you won’t set your eyebrows on fire launching a Prius c from a traffic signal.

With that in mind, it’s fair to say its acceleration, braking, and cornering are more than adequate for its overall mission in life; transporting people and their goods while consuming as little fuel as possible in the process.

Taken in that light, the Toyota Prius c is a rather brilliant little car.If one goes by just the numbers, Toyota has brought this car to market before—as the original 1997 Prius. That first Prius used a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. So does the Prius c (okay, well, two electric motors). The first Prius was 66.7 inches wide. So is the Prius c. The first Prius had a 100.4-inch wheelbase. And yes, so does the Prius c.

In other words, with the Prius c, Toyota gets back to the basics of what its best-selling hybrid model is all about

small, efficient, comfortable, well equipped transportation, at a very good price.

Admittedly though, to get there, some of the refinement of the larger Prius models was sacrificed. The interior is a bit low-rent compared to other Prius models. It also rides more harshly and is noisier. But hey, the other side of that equation is fifty-freaking-three miles per gallon in the city!

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Monday, June 29, 2015

TOYOTA PRIUS C 2015

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