MPGTerminal
68/100
2015Compact CarsRegular

2015 Toyota Prius c

EPA ID: 35775
53
City MPG
50
Combined MPG
50MPG· Excellent
46
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2015 Toyota Prius c achieves an EPA-estimated 50 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 53 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (variable gear ratios), this compact cars features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2015 Prius c produces approximately 178 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Prius c performs better than the national average in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $1,200, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would spend $4,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassCompact Cars
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine1.5L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions178 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemEquipped
GHG Score10/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$1,200
5-Year Cost DeltaSpend $4,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
49.6
Impact vs EPA
+$8
/ year
💨

Aerodynamic Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by roughly 15-20% at interstate speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$459/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$14,000
50.8%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$5,250
19.1%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$7,900
28.7%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.5%
Total 5-Year Cost$27,550

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #20V369000·2020-07-24
critical
Component: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.

Campaign #15V514000·2015-09-15
critical
Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Prius C vehicles manufactured April 20, 2015, to June 30, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driver that the tire pressure is low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail. Sudden tire failure increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will re-calibrate the TPMS, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET15E.

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Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Toyota Prius c configurations.

View Model History

Similar 2015 Compact Cars Alternatives

2015 Honda Civic Hybrid

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

44MPG
City: 43Hwy: 45$1,350/yr

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

44MPG
City: 41Hwy: 48$1,550/yr

2015 Lexus CT 200h

1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

42MPG
City: 43Hwy: 40$1,400/yr

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage

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City: 36Hwy: 42$1,550/yr

2015 Chevrolet Volt

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City: 35Hwy: 40$1,850/yr

2015 BMW 328d

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City: 31Hwy: 43$2,250/yr

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$1,200
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Spend $4,750

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City53 MPG
Highway46 MPG
Combined50 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

35.6 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 44 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 3.0 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.