[6][7] The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.

The production Prius c was introduced in the U.S. at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

[4] The Toyota Prius c concept car was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Toyota explained that the 'c' in 'Prius c' stands for "city"-centric vehicle as it is smaller than the standard Prius and aimed at younger buyers without families who require less cargo space in the rear and fewer of the luxury touches (although passenger space remains essentially the same as a standard Prius).

This results in a higher EPA MPG-City Rating than the standard Prius and easier parking in tight spaces.

This location for the traction battery also significantly lowers the center of gravity of the Prius c, and improves road handling.

[citation needed] The hybrid powertrain weighs around 40 kg (88 lb) less than that of the standard Prius Liftback.

ECO Mode limits the operation of the climate control and adjusts throttle input to help maximize fuel economy".

[2] The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 model year most fuel efficient compact car excluding plug-in electric vehicles.

When electric-powered cars are considered, the Chevrolet Volt ranks on top of the compact car category, followed by the Prius c.[8][9] The Prius c is assembled at the Iwate Plant of Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, in Kanegasaki, Iwate in northern Japan.

The interior features metallic open/close AC vents, as well as a redesigned climate control cluster and a updated, digital speedometer interface design.

Changes included; reshaping of bonnet, re-sculpted bumpers, redesigned LED c-shaped tail lamps, new wheel arches.

Bright color accents, available in either Electric Lime or Cherry Pearl, adorn the lower front grille, the headlight surrounds, the side mirrors, and the window trim to give a baseball theme.

The Persona Series comes standard with keyless entry, automatic climate control, cloth seats, and Bluetooth.

[18] The following table presents retail sales since deliveries of the Aqua began in December 2011 for the top selling national markets by year through April 2016.

[22][70] Since its introduction, a total of 1,154,500 units have been sold in Japan through January 2017, representing 83.6% of the model global sales.

[44] During the first nine months of 2014 Prius c sales were down by 4.7% as compared with the same period in 2013, following the same declining trend as the overall hybrid segment in the American market.

The Prius c Four, which sells for US$23,230 also includes Softex-trimmed seats, heated front power mirrors with turn signal indicators, alloy wheels, and fog lamps.

[9][15] For the 2015 model year, the Prius c received a light facelift with alterations to the front and rear lamps and bumpers.

[57] Excluding the Japanese and North American markets, a total of 25,462 units have been sold in other countries as of September 2014[update].

As the other electric-drive vehicles sold in the country, the Prius c is subject to lower import duties and local taxes.

Since October 2012, Prius c owners are exempted from the driving restriction by license plate number used to control access to downtown San José, the country's capital.

Six years later, with some tax reductions for hybrid vehicles, Toyota tried again with the 2018 Asian and South American restyling with a new price of US$25,990.

[86] The Prius C was discontinued in the United States and Canada after the 2019 model year, with the larger E210-series Corolla Hybrid indirectly taking its place.

[93] In Taiwan, the Prius C (both the standard and the crossover variant) was discontinued in March 2021, citing internal competition with the Toyota Corolla Cross.