Toyota has revealed its facelifted 2015 Toyota Prius c which gets a $1000 price cut to cement its position as Australia’s most affordable hybrid car.

TOYOTA HAS slashed $1000 from the list price of the 2015 Prius c with the entry-level Prius C now priced from $22,990 (+ORC) and the top-spec Prius c i-Tech listing from $25,990 (+ORC).

Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said: “Prius c is a smaller and lighter sibling to the Prius hatch yet it still provides ample space for five adults thanks to Toyota’s clever solutions,” he said.

“A great example is the placement of the hybrid battery and fuel tank under the rear seat, which means there is also room for plenty of luggage and a full-size spare wheel.”

Cramb went onto say the facelifted Prius is the first of 10 new or refreshed models to be launched this year.

“The entire Prius family will benefit with a mid-year update to Prius v and the arrival of an all-new fourth-generation Prius early next year.

“Our local manufacturing plant is also gearing up for the launch of the boldest Camry ever during the second quarter and an upgraded Aurion shortly after.”

The facelifted Prius c gets a new-look hexagonal grille flanked by reshaped headlights that provide a sharper look – halogen for the entry grade and a bi-LED for i-Tech. A redesigned front bumper gives the front-end a more planted look.

Inside, the Prius c now imparts a higher-quality feel with new colour themes that employ darker hues, including black glossy surrounds and soft-touch dash cladding on i-Tech. New fabric upholstery on the entry level Prius c is black with dark blue facings while the i-Tech’s dark-grey seats feature silver stitching, which also appears on the steering wheel.

The centre stack has been revised with larger switches and a multi-purpose climate-control dial that includes the standard automatic air-conditioning function.

Under the skin, improvements to the structure and suspension – including retuned front and rear shock absorbers – have improved ride comfort, steering response, stability and cornering.

Additional spot welds in the rear-wheel housings have added extra stiffness to the body and should endow the thing with tighter handling. According to Toyota, “the front MacPherson strut bearings have been strengthened to help provide a more linear steering feel from initial turn-in. The characteristics and length of the front rebound stoppers have also been refined to achieve a more natural forward-tilting posture while cornering”.

Combined maximum power output is 74kW from the highly efficient 54kW 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 45kW electric motor. Maximum torque is 111Nm from the engine and 169Nm from the motor. On the combined fuel-consumption test cycle, Prius c uses just 3.9 litres/100km using 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. CO2 emissions are 90 grams/km.

Both Prius c grades are equipped with reversing camera, seven airbags, vehicle stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, hill-start assist control and cruise control.