Introduced for the 2012 model year, this city-focused hatchback was Toyota’s entry-level Prius variant and was positioned as the smallest and most affordable member of the Prius family. The name used a lower-case “c” to emphasize its urban mission: a compact, practical hybrid intended for drivers who wanted Prius efficiency in a smaller, easier-to-park package. Toyota first brought the model to market in 2012 and used it to expand hybrid ownership beyond the traditional midsize Prius liftback audience.
Unlike the original Prius, which had already become Toyota’s best-known hybrid nameplate, this model was conceived as a subcompact five-door hatchback with a younger, more city-oriented character. It gave Toyota a way to offer hybrid technology in a lower-price, smaller-footprint package while still retaining the core Prius identity. Over its run, Toyota refreshed the car and kept it aligned with the broader Prius family, but its mission remained consistent: efficient, practical urban transportation.
Toyota later confirmed that the nameplate was discontinued and that the 2019 model year was the final one. Because the run was continuous from introduction through discontinuation, there is no separate revival period to note. In Toyota’s lineup history, it is remembered as the Prius family member that made the hybrid formula more accessible at the compact end of the market.