So long, Toyota Prius C; It’s been a good eight years

The Toyota Prius c, introduced in December 2011 as the carmaker’s least expensive and smallest hybrid, will likely be retired with the introduction of the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

According to a report on Motor1.com, the little hatchback will be outdone in its well-touted economy by the new Corolla.

Available in the spring of 2019, the EPA has already released the mileage estimates for the new Corolla, 53 mpg in city driving, 52 mpg on the freeway. The Prius c is rated at 48 mpg in city driving, 42 mpg on the highway

Fuel economy for the 2020 Corolla Hybrid is already available from the EPA. It gets 53 miles per gallon city and 52 mpg highway for a combined rating of 52 mpg. For comparison, the 2019 Prius c gets 48 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined.

“You’re probably not going to see Prius c for long,” Ed Laukes, Group VP of Toyota Marketing, told Motor1.com during a drive event for the new Corolla. “The Prius C has served its purpose well.”

The Prius c has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle and an electric motor with a total combined output of 99 horsepower. It was refreshed in 2015 and 2017. The Prius c had its biggest sales year in 2013 with slightly less than 42,000 units sold.

The new Corolla Hybrid shares a powertrain with the current Prius. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder and two motor-generators have a total output of 121 horsepower. Its hydrid battery is positioned under the rear seat and doesn’t diminish cabin or cargo space.

A smart differential routes power to the left and right wheels at low powertrain loads but acts as an open differential at higher loads.

Additional details, including price, are expected as the vehicle’s debut gets closer.

The Weekly Driver reviews the 2014 Toyota Prius C