2014 Corolla S or 2013 Prius C...

[mztykal]

Which would you pick...

Gf likes the style of both but the color the C comes in, teal. Mileage aside, which would you buy. Both are around 20k otd.

Trading in a 2009 Matrix S for whatever upgrade...

 

[Jumpem]

I would get a Prius C if I weren't concerned about the lack of safety from being so small.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would get a Prius C if I weren't concerned about the lack of safety from being so small.

What is wrong with the Prius C? Never heard anything about them being unsafe... but then, I ride a motorcycle so what do I know about safety?

OP, what kind of mileage do you and your GF put on a car annually? If you don't drive much I'd say it doesn't really matter but if you put some serious commuting mileage on a car in traffic the Prius C might make a lot of sense especially if you don't like spending money on gasoline.

 

[Jumpem]

What is wrong with the Prius C? Never heard anything about them being unsafe... but then, I ride a motorcycle so what do I know about safety?

Simply being so much smaller than the average car makes them unsafe in comparison.

 

[JulesMaximus]

DP

 

[JulesMaximus]

Simply being so much smaller than the average car makes them unsafe in comparison.

Assuming you get into an accident of course. Personally, I'd feel comfortable driving either car but I don't obsess about safety either. :biggrin:

Safety

Standard safety features on all 2013 Toyota Prius C models include stability control, traction control, antilock brakes (front discs, rear drums), hill start assist, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and unique front seat cushion airbags that help prevent occupants from sliding under the seatbelts in the event of a collision. In Edmunds brake testing, a Prius C came to a stop from 60 mph in a better-than-average 118 feet.


The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Prius C the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests.

 

[Jimzz]

I would lean toward the Prius C.
Toyota has not given the Corolla a good update for a long time and has been passed by even Chevy and Ford in that area IMO.

 

[7window]

Either one assuming same price or which one will cost you less in the end that will serve its purpose.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Either one assuming same price or which one will cost you less in the end that will serve its purpose.

If they drive a lot the Prius will cost a lot less in gas, especially if they do a lot of city driving.

 

[Jumpem]

I looked at the Prius C, and most of the expected options would require the Four trim, at $25k.

 

[hans007]

I would lean toward the Prius C.
Toyota has not given the Corolla a good update for a long time and has been passed by even Chevy and Ford in that area IMO.

The 2014 corolla is brand new. It even has standard led headlights.

I'd probably get the c personally. Think it looks nicer and hatchback is useful

 

[Jimzz]

The 2014 corolla is brand new. It even has standard led headlights.

I'd probably get the c personally. Think it looks nicer and hatchback is useful

The 2014 is "new" yet is still uses the same old motor.

It at best catch's ups to current cars in its class.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Prius C of those two choices although I wouldn't by either at gunpoint.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Here's what you need to know about the 2014 corolla

 

[mztykal]

Mileage wise she drives around 10k a year if that. The Matrix only has 45k on it in 4 years...

The interior on the Corolla looks leagues better than the Prius, though the hatchback is nicer on the outside...

 

[hans007]

The 2014 is "new" yet is still uses the same old motor.

It at best catch's ups to current cars in its class.

Well the old motor is not terrible. It does have a new CVT in all but the lowest trim. The four speed at was the thing really hindering it.

Also the motors are slightly different. The Eco trim has a slightly engine with a new variable valve system.

 

[mztykal]

The only thing I don't like about the Corolla is the 1zz engine. That engine has valve train issues...

 

[soccerballtux]

I like the look of the C more.

 

[mmntech]

The Prius C is just a hybridized Yaris. The Corolla has more back seat space though since she's coming from a Matrix, she may prefer a hatchback. The Corolla S has a more powerful engine, heated seats, and slightly better sound system. The Prius C has significantly better gas mileage.

Power difference is about 30hp. If she does a lot of highway driving, might be better to go with the Corolla, even though fuel economy is worse. If it's mostly in town, I'd go with the Prius C.

 

[fr]

I've been consistently getting over 60MPG on my Prius c with close to 90% highway driving.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Since she drives only 10K miles a year - getting a hybrid does not make a lot of sense.

If she like the Prius C- have her look at the Hyundai Accent or Chevrolet Sonic. Significantly cheaper than the C - much better interiors as well. Assuming she only wants a Toyota, then have her drive a Yaris.

I'd go with the corolla over the Prius C if i had to pick one of these two abysmal choices.

Honestly, she should keep the Matrix.

 

[7window]

Just came back from Costco and I parked next to a c. I would pick the corolla. the gas issue in this case is negligible. Corolla gets 40mpg on the freeway.

 

[Jimzz]

Just came back from Costco and I parked next to a c. I would pick the corolla. the gas issue in this case is negligible. Corolla gets 40mpg on the freeway.

The only Corolla that get 40mpg is the Eco version and that cost extra for not much more.

 

[heymrdj]

I'd skip Toyota completely personally. Better cars from other companies IMO. Dodge Dart vs the Corolla, Ford Focus HB vs the Prius C

 

[tortillasoup]

neither... I'd buy a used full size Prius with like 10-50K miles on the clock instead of wasting my time buying a brand spanking new vehicle. A vehicle with low miles will be practically the same as a new vehicle. New Corolla is a significantly bigger car than the Prius C, not sure if that's an appropriate comparison as the Prius C is based upon the Yaris.

The only Corolla that get 40mpg is the Eco version and that cost extra for not much more.

You get better fuel economy because you get a better, more powerful engine as it's the first Valvematic engine in North America. If I was shopping for a '14 Corolla, I'd definitely get the Eco model as the Price premium is small and you do get more amenities compared with the Vanilla models. Not even the Corolla S has the Valvematic engine, just the Eco models.

The Prius C is just a hybridized Yaris. The Corolla has more back seat space though since she's coming from a Matrix, she may prefer a hatchback. The Corolla S has a more powerful engine, heated seats, and slightly better sound system. The Prius C has significantly better gas mileage.

Power difference is about 30hp. If she does a lot of highway driving, might be better to go with the Corolla, even though fuel economy is worse. If it's mostly in town, I'd go with the Prius C.

Sorry but the Corolla S in the '14+ has the exact same engine as all of the other Corollas save for the Corolla Eco which is the one with the better fuel economy and more powerful engine.

The only thing I don't like about the Corolla is the 1zz engine. That engine has valve train issues...

They haven't used that engine for several years now. They're on the ZR series now which has dual vvt-i or the new to north american market valvematic on the intake for the Corolla Eco.