2017 Toyota Prius c Sets the Standard For Safety and Styling in Subcompact Segment

The 2017 Prius c has changes including styling and standard safety competitors cannot match.

The 2017 Toyota Prius c will set the standard for active safety in the subcompact car class. Toyota says that all 2017 Prius c cars will come standard with now comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense C (TSS-C) driver-assist technologies. The TSS-C system had been optional on two Prius c grades for 2016. The safety suite includes Toyota's Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Assist, and Automatic High Beams. Toyota is five years ahead of competitors who have vowed to make such equipment standard by 2022.

In addition to having the best active safety equipment standard on all trims, the Prius c has done well on crash tests. IIHS reports that the Prius c earned a score of Good on its moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints and seats testing. The Prius c earned a score od Acceptable on the small frontal overlap test as well.

In addition to upping the ante in the segment on safety, Toyota has restyled the Prius c to be more dynamic and sporty in appearance. The updated Prius c for 2017 features a redesigned front fascia, rear bumper, side rocker panels and a blacked-out rear spoiler.

Toyota's exceptional value is also still standard. Toyota's Prius c comes with two years of maintenance included in its price, something unheard of in the subcompact affordable car segment.

Interesting tidbit: The "c" in the Prius c's model name stands for "city."