Nother CarGuy

Crossovers are all the rage and a handful of companies have been giving their sedans and hatchbacks ruggedized styling to broaden their appeal. The latest company to do this is Toyota which has taken the wraps off the new Aqua that is known elsewhere as the Prius C. Modestly revised, the Aqua has been equipped with a new front bumper, restyled headlights, and a modified hood. The hatchback also has updated fenders and new taillights. More importantly, the company has introduced a new crossover variant which is distinguished by a revised grille, plastic body cladding, and unique 16-inch aluminum wheels. The model also has roof rails, a faux skid plate, and revised air intakes. The interior largely carries over but there's a newly standard TFT multi-information display in the instrument cluster. Buyers will also find updated upholstery combinations including new synthetic white leather. Power is provided by a hybridized 1.5-liter engine that produces a combined output of 1...

The  Prius C  has been a moderate success for Toyota, if not quite a stellar one.  Out of the 2.5 million vehicles (or 136k  Prius-family models ) it sold in America last year, the hybrid hatchback accounted for just over 20,000 – or a little more than half the number of comparably sized Yaris models it sold. This down from the 35-40k Prius Cs it sold in previous years. If Toyota wants to attract more buyers with its smallest hybrid, it's going to need some help. And help has come in the form of a series of updates. The revisions applied to the 2017 Toyota Prius C include some cosmetic updates – including a new front fascia, rear bumper, rocker panels, and rear spoiler (applied here to smooth the airflow more than providing downforce). Alloy wheels also come standard on all trim levels – measuring 15 inches as standard, with optional 16s. (The name of the game here is "low rolling resistance," after all, not traction.) The bigger addition, however, is the fitment ...