Since its introduction just over a decade ago, Toyota’s gasoline-electric Prius hybrid has been very successful, so it not surprising that Toyota would bring out additional models to fill the needs of an eager market. One of these is a five-door variant called the Prius v (denoting ‘versatility’).
Really a compact station wagon, the new model is a bit larger than the original Prius with increased interior space and greater carrying capacity, measuring in one inch wider, six inches longer, and three inches taller. The wheelbase has also grown by three inches.
All this brings 34 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats and up to 64.7 cubic feet with the rear seats slid forward, reclined, and folded down. The front passenger seat also folds flat for further versatility.
The Prius v retains both the distinctive look and the same mechanicals as the current Prius hatchback. This includes a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. A nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is used like the original Prius, foregoing the step to next-generation battery technology like the upcoming Prius Plug-In hybrid.
The Prius v is larger and about 230 pounds heavier than its original sibling and thus nets reduced fuel economy of 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, or 42 mpg combined. For comparison, the original Prius achieves fuel economy numbers of 51 city and 48 highway mpg, or 50 combined mpg. Even with this extra weight, though, the Prius v driving experience is similar to that of the Prius hatchback.
The Prius v offers more standard and optional features including a rearview camera, panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, and an advanced parking guidance system. It also offers Toyota's new Entune multimedia system that’s comparable to Ford's Sync. At $26,400, the Prius v costs about $2,000 more than the Prius hatchback.
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