The Toyota Prius c (c stands for “city”), named the Toyota Aqua in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota Motor Corporation. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles.[4][5] The Prius c is ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.[6][7]
The production version of the Aqua was unveiled in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The production Prius c was introduced in the U.S. at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[8] The Aqua was launched in Japan in December 2011 at a price of ¥1.69 million (US$21,700).[9] Sales in several Asian markets began in January 2012.[10][11] The Prius c was released in the U.S. and Canada in March 2012.[12][13] Sales in Australia and New Zealand began in April 2012.[14][15]
The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years.[16] As of July 2015, the Aqua/Prius c is the second most sold hybrid of Toyota Motor Corporation after the regular Prius, with 1,081,332 units sold worldwide, and Japan is the market leader with 901,465 units sold.[17] For two consecutive years, 2013 and 2014, the Aqua was the top selling new car in Japan.
