Saving in Style: Prius c Tops Kelley Blue Book's Green Car Rankings

Kbb.com Names Most Fuel-Efficient Toyota the Best Green Car of 2012

WATERVILLE, MAINE (04/30/2012)(readMedia)-- The new Toyota Prius c is the most fuel-efficient Prius, but fuel economy alone wouldn't have put it atop the 10 Best Green Cars of 2012 list from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. The auto researcher singled out the subcompact hybrid available at Toyota dealerships as its top green vehicle for delivering impressive gas mileage along with value, style and a surprising amount of space.

The 2012 Toyota Prius c beat out two all-electric cars, the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, to top kbb.com's 10 Best Green Cars list this year. The remainder of the list was populated by a mix of hybrid, gas, natural gas and diesel models coming in a variety of price ranges, though only one luxury vehicle, the Lexus CT 200h hybrid, made the cut. The Prius c's low starting price and fuel economy rating of 53 mpg in the city helped push it to the top of the list.

"The Prius c is perfect for young drivers that had wanted a stylish hybrid, but needed something more affordable than what was previously available," said Jeff Leclerc, general sales manager of Central Maine Toyota, a Waterville, Maine Toyota dealer. "Even though it's a subcompact, the Prius c is deceptively roomy on the inside. Plenty of drivers who think they need a larger vehicle will find the Prius c offers all the space they require."

Kbb.com praised the Toyota Prius c for its surprising 17.1 cubic-feet of cargo room, which still allows for 87.4 cubic-feet of passenger space that seats up to five adults. When it comes to value, the Prius c is the most affordable in the Prius family, starting at just under $19,000. Overall, kbb.com declared the Toyota hybrid as the go-to vehicle for those seeking practicality and style in an inexpensive, fuel-efficient package.

Inside the Prius c's cabin, Toyota stocks a number of high-tech features that widen the car's appeal to younger buyers. Bluetooth connectivity comes standard for hands-free phone calls and music streaming, while a standard USB port and aux input offer iPod compatibility. Buyers that upgrade to the automaker's Entune infotainment system will be able to access internet apps like Bing search and Pandora internet radio through a 6.1-inch touchscreen. Meanwhile, steering-wheel-mounted controls keep drivers focused on the road, and an available Smart Key System with Push Button Start make entering and starting the vehicle a simple process.

According to a recent report from auto industry researchers at Polk, Toyota Prius owners are the most likely to be loyal to the hybrid market when it comes time to buy a new car. The research, which examined hybrid segment loyalty between 2008 and 2011, found that hybrid loyalty drops by more than 10 percent if Toyota Prius owners are not factored in. It also discovered that 60 percent of Toyota hybrid owners were brand-loyal, returning to purchase another Toyota when they re-entered the market in 2011.

"It's not necessarily the appeal of owning a hybrid that has Prius owners shopping for their second; it's the unique quality and efficiency that only Toyota can deliver," added Leclerc. "Now that there are three more Prius family members to choose from than there were in 2008, there are three more reasons to come back to the brand."

About Central Maine Toyota:

A part of the Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Central Maine Toyota has served local drivers for years with the outstanding Toyota buying experience they deserve. Their diverse inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, as well as their friendly, professional staff, has earned Central Maine Toyota a reputation for delivering unrivaled automotive sales and service. View their inventory in person at 15 Airport Rd. in Waterville, or online at www.cmtoy.com. They can also be reached by phone at 866-268-7094 and found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CentralMaineToyotaScion.