Against 147 other Hybrid cars rated 2018–2020, the Prius C beats their 32.2 mpg average by 13.8 mpg, about $358 a year.
Every Toyota Prius C engine, compared
The Toyota Prius C was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 50.8 / 44.7 | 2012–2020 | $797 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Lexus IS gets 23.7 mpg, the Nissan Versa 34.7 mpg and the Audi A4 29.3 mpg, next to 46 mpg for the 2020 Prius C. The Prius C is the cheapest of them to run: $785 a year less than the Lexus IS.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2020) | $0.070 |
| Fuel per year | $835 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,175 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2018–2020 | −$358 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,294 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2020 Toyota Prius C does better in town than out of it: 48 in the city against 43 on the highway, $93 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2020) | 48 mpg | $800 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 43 mpg | $893 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -5 mpg (-10%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Prius C changed over the years
The Prius C peaked in 2016 at 50 mpg (53 city, 46 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2020 at 46 — 4 mpg apart, or $67 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 46. The biggest single-year change came in 2017: 50 to 46 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 48 / 43 | 1 | $835 | |
| 2019 | 48 / 43 | 1 | $835 | |
| 2018 | 48 / 43 | 1 | $835 | |
| 2017 | 48 / 43 | 1 | $835 | |
| 2016 | 53 / 46 | 1 | $768 | |
| 2015 | 53 / 46 | 1 | $768 | |
| 2014 | 53 / 46 | 1 | $768 | |
| 2013 | 53 / 46 | 1 | $768 | |
| 2012 | 53 / 46 | 1 | $768 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Toyota Prius C — 1 engine across 2012–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,294. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2020 Toyota Prius C get?
46 mpg combined, 48 city and 43 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2012 the Prius C has averaged 48.2 mpg.
Is the 2020 Prius C more efficient than the 2019?
About the same: 46 against 46 mpg combined.
Which Prius C year has the best gas mileage?
The 2016, at 50 mpg combined (53 city, 46 highway).
Does the Prius C get better gas mileage than the Lexus IS?
Yes: 46 mpg for the 2020 Prius C against 23.7 for the 2021 Lexus IS, about $785 a year less to run.
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