The 2012 Toyota Prius v is a mini minivan for the next generation looking for that extra space that’s needed while continuing their commitment to shrink their family’s carbon footprint. It’s also the car that will give Toyota the ability to spread the Gospel According to Prius to a new market that was previously not interested in the brand due to size restrictions.
The Prius v shares the same iconic shape as the standard Prius but it’s wider, longer and taller with about 60% more space behind the rear seats giving it the versatility for which the “v” in the name stands. How does more than 34 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats sound? That’s enough for the dog and some luggage to boot. The rear seats also slide back and forward, recline and fold flat for loads of cargo room. But wait, there’s more… The front passenger seat also folds flat so you can even haul lumber for that new deck you’re planning for the summer.
What moves the Prius v is a powerplant that it shares with its smaller cousin, a 1.8-liter gas engine combined with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery that puts out 134 hp. But what concerns Prius v owners most are the EPA fuel economy ratings that will get 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for 42 mpg combined rating. Those numbers pretty much blow away any competitive vehicle in the same segment.
The interior is very space age-ish. With a gear shifter that looks and feels like a game console controller, it might take a bit of getting used to. But once you do get comfortable with it, there’s no going back. The instrument panel can be configured to show several different displays depending on what you want to see. The speedometer readout is big and digital and set in the center of the dashboard. Again, different but easier to get used to then you might think.
The thing that might put the market off however, is the price. The Prius v is packaged in three trim levels, curiously labeled Two, Three and Five. The Two is the base model with an MSRP of $26,400, the Three gives you more and comes in with an MSRP of $27,165 and the Five brings the most with an MSRP price tag of $29,990. But if you want state-of-the-art fuel economy in the small minivan segment, look no further than the Prius v.
