2012 Toyota Prius V Three: The obvious move makes sense

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 26 January 2012 13:53

The next step for Toyota in the development of its fuel-sipping Prius line has been obvious for quite a few years now. Eventually, consumers would demand a bigger Prius. The second-generation Prius made a big splash after the original model was widely panned for bland styling and a cramped interior; now comes the Prius V, a compact wagon featuring the familiar Prius styling cues and loads of interior room.

Like the original Prius, a gasoline-electric hybrid, the Prius V gets world-beating fuel economy, though significantly less than the original: just 44 mpg on the highway, compared with 51. We did a lot of highway driving with our top-of-the-line 2012 Prius V Three and averaged 40.5. The Prius V is rated at 40 mpg around town.

Our Prius V, sticker-priced at $28,150 with just one minor option, delighted us with its thrifty ways. And, while we’d rather drive a BMW, the Prius V rode and handled comfortably enough, the interior was roomy in front and back, and the car was as versatile as advertised. With the split rear seat upright, the Prius V can swallow 34.3 cubic feet of cargo and nearly double that with the seat laid flat. The cargo-capacity numbers for the regular Prius are 21.6 and 39.6 cubic feet.

So if you need the extra room more than you need the higher fuel economy, the Prius V could be the answer. But what’s it like to drive; to live with? The answer is truly a matter of personal preference. One reviewer we consulted averred that the Prius V comported itself well around town in “Eco” mode but was quite unsatisfactory on the highway unless the “Power” mode was engaged, via buttons on the center console. Our reaction was precisely the opposite, especially after noticing how leisurely the Prius V launched in Eco mode during a right-turn-on-red maneuver. So if you’re thinking about buying one, drive it as long and far as the dealer will allow, see how it reacts to your driving habits, and judge for yourself whether you and the Prius V are a good fit.

The Prius V also has an EV (electric vehicle) mode, suitable for urban stop-and-go traffic and for backing up, since it’s distracting to have the engine kick on while maneuvering in reverse gear.

The shifter and other controls are different from the norm, but easy to decipher.

Otherwise, our only complaint was the interior materials felt … well, not exactly cheap, but super-light. Toyota, in its zeal to keep the weight down in its hybrid models, uses space-age materials that just don’t feel robust. We found ourselves wondering how the seats would feel after 10 years and 150,000 miles.

The Prius V has been rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A new model, its reliability is unknown, but Toyota models have a well-deserved reputation for trouble-free performance.

Steven Macoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.

Price: $28,150

Engine: 1.8-liter hybrid inline Four/60-kilowatt electric motor, 134 horsepower combined, 105 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: Continuously variable

Drive: Front-wheel

Weight: 3,274 lb.

Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear

Wheels: 16 x 6.5-inch alloy with covers

Tires: P205/60R16 all-season

Seating capacity: 5

Luggage capacity: 34.3 cu. ft.

Maximum cargo capacity: 67.3 cu. ft.

Fuel capacity: 11.9 gallons

Fuel economy: 40 mpg city, 44 mpg highway

Fuel type: Regular