Vehicles

Information Specification Image Review 2012 toyota prius
Toyota sells far more hybrids than anyone else, thanks mainly to its iconic Prius and its industry-leading (for non plug-ins) 50-mpg EPA Combined mileage rating. But this year, its different; Toyota has rounded out the Prius line with two new body styles. First, theres the Prius V, a larger wagon version, which arrived earlier this model year; and now the 2012 Prius C has arrived, appealing to those who want a simpler, more compact car.

With a more familiar, traditional small-car profile and package, yet the same best-in-class 50-mpg figure (actually 53 mpg city, 46 highway)—matched with a base price of just $19,710—the Prius C should attract a wider swath of value-conscious motorists.

Performance

As with the entire Prius lineup, the 2012 Toyota Prius C is powered by both a traditional gasoline engine and a pair of electric motor-generators. The smaller Prius C makes do with smaller drivetrain components, however. Providing power to the wheels and generators is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 73 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque. The two electric motor-generators bring the overall output total to 99 hp. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) routes power to the front wheels.

In Edmunds testing, this Prius C accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a rather reluctant 11.3 seconds. Coming to a stop from that speed yielded much better results, as the car does the job in 118 feet, which is about average for compact cars. While power delivery is far from impressive, the crucial numbers here involve miles per gallon and the Prius C is definitely a champ in this respect. The EPA estimates 53 city/46 highway mpg and 50 mpg in combined driving, which is the highest rating in the EPA book for anything other than a high-tech plug-in hybrid. In our testing, we averaged 48.9 mpg.

Driving a convertible is always about freedom, especially freedom of choice: top up when the conditions are not friendly or unreasonable, or top down to soak in the sun or a warm summer breeze cold light of the moon. And today it seems there is more freedom than previous search, seen from the increasing number of premium retractable-hardtop convertible. Offers Lexus in this segment is the IS 350C. Like its competitors, the Lexus IS 350C combines the timeless appeal of an open-roof car with the refinement and functionality all-season luxury coupe.

Closed up tight, 350C looks like a coupe resculpted version of the IS sedan four-door, albeit one with a rather large rear. At the touch of a button, three-piece aluminum hardtop roof and side windows elegantly glide away in about 20 seconds, revealing an upscale cabin with high quality materials. IS 350C has a few errors, but overall it should provide all the fresh air and freedom that two occupants of the four seasons (four in a pinch) could reasonably desire.

The Lexus IS 350C is a four-passenger convertible retractable hardtop. Power is supplied by a 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Its loaded with all the premium facilities expected, including automatic climate control dual-zone, keyless ignition / entry and eight-way power front seats with easy access to the rear seat with the touch of a button. Pop-up rear rollover bar adds an extra margin of safety, as well as front and rear side curtain airbags, a rarity among convertibles. The main options include a 12-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, navigation system, adaptive cruise control and front seats with heating and ventilation.

Theres one and only course to go: Up. Autoblog donor and Man About Town Jonathon Ramsey got an early taste of the C-Class in European spec not long from now, and to say he strolled away inspired wouldnt do his First Drive equity. As indicated by his introductory drive report, the C-Class has changed from an imposing German rival in a savage fragment into a genuine juggernaut that makes a persuading offer for the organizations, slogan "The Best or Nothing" . That strong acclaim as a top priority, I regularly seized the opportunity to put the new US-showcase C through its paces on American soil. 

The long hood/short trunk extents from the bigger S-Class completely work here, and immediately, they attract consideration regarding the way that Cs mission is extravagance in the first place, game second. The short front shade, low stance and watchful utilization of bends and edges truly work to make a durable bundle that appears to be significantly more upscale than the CLA, as well as any past C-Class. No place is that more obvious than inside the lodge. This isnt simply best-in-class stuff – this is one of the most delightful extravagance auto inner parts youre prone to discover, full stop. It bests everything presently on offer in the whole Mercedes-Benz portfolio short of the S-Class, and offers a more premium, rich experience than a dominant part of more lavish offerings from German rivals. 

The configuration is a decent lump of the story, where streaming lines without cruel edges or plot all work together to give the inner part a really exquisite feel. The majority of the calfskins and woods and plastics meet up in a particular manner that transmits meticulousness – this inside was not planned with individual pieces fitted together, it was made as one substance, and it demonstrates. The calfskins are eminent, the nonobligatory common wood completions are a portion of the best you will touch, and the aluminum trim looks and feels as premium as it does in the bigger S-Class. Additionally, in spite of a moderately high beltline, perceivability is great all around. The front seats are especially comfortable and the rearward sitting arrangements arent awful, however sitting again there reminds you that this is to be sure a more diminutive auto in spite of its huge extravagance car quality. 

Obviously, to a large portion of this current sections purchasers, lavish errands are much more vital than energetic signs in the cockpit, however in the event that they purchaser craves, a Sport Pack (discretionary on C300 models, standard on C400) incorporates things like a thick-rimmed, level bottom wheel, open-pore dark fiery debris trim, aluminum pedals etc. Were similarly enormous fanatics of the conveniently composed gage group, which offers including bits for the driver to concentrate on while leaving travelers to look upon the streaming focus stack with its three conspicuous air vents and two lines of atmosphere control and infotainment switchgear. The inside stack scopes down to the little control focus that houses the COMAND handle and touchpad, and the drive mode switch too ("Agility Select" in Mercedes-talk) and stereo volume control.