The 2012 Toyota Prius V: A Versatile and Efficient Vehicle

When asked when a Prius is more than a Prius, our host's answer was clear: it's the 2012 Toyota Prius V. The "V" stands for versatility, and this larger Prius model comes in three trims: two-, three-, and five-seat versions. The five-passenger Prius makes more room for everyone and everything, thanks to its increased size. With the rear seats down, Toyota claims that the Prius V has more cargo space than 80% of all small SUVs.

In terms of interior features, the Prius V is a cut above the regular Prius. The surfaces are finer, but still not luxurious. Even the base v2 model includes features like a color touch screen for the audio system, Bluetooth, and an iPod connection. The top-of-the-line v5 model comes standard with front heated seats and an upgraded interior upholstery throughout the entire car, which Toyota calls "Soft Tex" material – an eco-friendly alternative to leather.

If high-tech is your thing, we highly recommend the advanced technology package for the Prius V. It's loaded with features like an auto parking feature, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, and a new end tune system that allows access to smartphone apps such as Pandora and iHeartRadio via the touchscreen. The car also features sliding and reclining rear seats, making long trips much more comfortable for passengers.

However, there is one complaint about the Prius V: the steering wheel can be a bit hard to reach, especially for taller drivers. Additionally, the front-wheel drive Prius V feels like it's "well," but not quite as refined as some other cars in its class. The combination of 134 horsepower from its 1.8-liter gas engine working in conjunction with the electric motor and nickel metal hydride battery provides adequate acceleration through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, when the gasoline part of the engine starts working hard – such as climbing steep hills or merging with highway traffic – it can be a bit noisy.

On the other hand, if you want a boost in acceleration without sacrificing too much fuel economy, there are better options available. The diesel-powered Volkswagen TDI plus, for example, offers better handling and more power. Similarly, the Jetta TDI and other competitors like the Honda CRV just can't beat Prius V's fuel economy.

The EPA has given the Prius B a rating of 44 city and 40 highway miles per gallon, which is impressive for an eco-friendly vehicle. However, even with its advanced technology and comfortable features, the base Prius b2 model starts at just $26,400. The v5 model with the optional advanced technology package comes closer to $36,000.

Despite some minor complaints about its handling and a slightly hard steering wheel, the 2012 Toyota Prius V is definitely worth strong consideration for anyone looking for an eco-friendly vehicle that's also comfortable and feature-rich.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enquestion Tracy when is a Prius more than a Prius I have a feeling you're gonna answer that for me clearance when it's a 2012 Toyota Prius V it is longer wider and taller than Toyota's gas-electric hybrids and the V stands for versatility basically what we're talking about Clarence is a Prius wagon simply it comes in three trims two three or five now thanks to its larger size the five passenger Prius makes more room for everyone and everything and with the rear seats down Toyota claims there's more cargo space than an 80% of all small SUVs and for an economy car it's got impressive standard features including a rear parking camera that can be seen right here on our test prius v5 the interior is a cut above the regular Prius the surfaces are finer those still not luxurious and even the base v2 includes features like a color touch screen for the audio system Bluetooth and an iPod connection the priests v5 like this one that we're driving here comes standard with front heated seats and an upgraded interior upholstery throughout the entire car Toyota calls it their soft tex material which is an eco-friendly alternative to leather and if high-tech is your thing we recommend the advanced technology package it's loaded with everything from an auto parking feature to an eight-speaker JBL audio system to the new end tune system that allows access to the smart phone apps such as Pandora and I Heart Radio via the touchscreen and you know what I like just how really the car feels and for rear passengers their seats actually slide and recline making long trips a lot more comfortable Toyota definitely got the dimensions right but if there's any complaint it's the steering wheel is a little hard to reach especially for taller drivers on the road is where the front-wheel drive Prius V feels well kind of like a frías and I know because I actually drive a Prius the combination of 134 horsepower from its 1.8 liter gas engine working in conjunction with the electric motor and nickel metal hydride battery provides adequate acceleration through a continuously variable transmission or CVT unfortunately the engine can be a little bit noisy when the gasoline part of the engine starts working really hard for example climbing steep hills are merging with highway traffic it's much quieter on the straightaways and there's very little wind noise now a power mode is available if you want a boost acceleration however if you want a car in general clearance that actually just has more power and you don't mind giving up some fuel economy you'll do better with one of the diesel-powered Volkswagen TDI plus you'll have better handling on the other hand the Jetta TDI and other competitors like the Honda CRV they just can't beat Prius V's fuel economy no they can't with EPA mile per gallon ratings of 44 city 40 highway the Prius B is at the top of its class even if those numbers fall a little short of the regular Prius you also save the most fuel driving in Eco mode but it's useful only for city driving optional safety equipment above and beyond the many safety features that come standard on the car is a pre collision safety system that reduces the rate of speed of the car thus any damage that would happen to the front end of the car in a frontal collision the base Prius b2 starts at just twenty six thousand four hundred dollars well a v5 with optional advanced technology package will cost closer to $36,000 with plenty of room for growing families and all of their stuff and for a comfortable ride the 2012 Toyota Prius V is definitely worth strong consideration especially if good fuel economy fuels your buying decision youquestion Tracy when is a Prius more than a Prius I have a feeling you're gonna answer that for me clearance when it's a 2012 Toyota Prius V it is longer wider and taller than Toyota's gas-electric hybrids and the V stands for versatility basically what we're talking about Clarence is a Prius wagon simply it comes in three trims two three or five now thanks to its larger size the five passenger Prius makes more room for everyone and everything and with the rear seats down Toyota claims there's more cargo space than an 80% of all small SUVs and for an economy car it's got impressive standard features including a rear parking camera that can be seen right here on our test prius v5 the interior is a cut above the regular Prius the surfaces are finer those still not luxurious and even the base v2 includes features like a color touch screen for the audio system Bluetooth and an iPod connection the priests v5 like this one that we're driving here comes standard with front heated seats and an upgraded interior upholstery throughout the entire car Toyota calls it their soft tex material which is an eco-friendly alternative to leather and if high-tech is your thing we recommend the advanced technology package it's loaded with everything from an auto parking feature to an eight-speaker JBL audio system to the new end tune system that allows access to the smart phone apps such as Pandora and I Heart Radio via the touchscreen and you know what I like just how really the car feels and for rear passengers their seats actually slide and recline making long trips a lot more comfortable Toyota definitely got the dimensions right but if there's any complaint it's the steering wheel is a little hard to reach especially for taller drivers on the road is where the front-wheel drive Prius V feels well kind of like a frías and I know because I actually drive a Prius the combination of 134 horsepower from its 1.8 liter gas engine working in conjunction with the electric motor and nickel metal hydride battery provides adequate acceleration through a continuously variable transmission or CVT unfortunately the engine can be a little bit noisy when the gasoline part of the engine starts working really hard for example climbing steep hills are merging with highway traffic it's much quieter on the straightaways and there's very little wind noise now a power mode is available if you want a boost acceleration however if you want a car in general clearance that actually just has more power and you don't mind giving up some fuel economy you'll do better with one of the diesel-powered Volkswagen TDI plus you'll have better handling on the other hand the Jetta TDI and other competitors like the Honda CRV they just can't beat Prius V's fuel economy no they can't with EPA mile per gallon ratings of 44 city 40 highway the Prius B is at the top of its class even if those numbers fall a little short of the regular Prius you also save the most fuel driving in Eco mode but it's useful only for city driving optional safety equipment above and beyond the many safety features that come standard on the car is a pre collision safety system that reduces the rate of speed of the car thus any damage that would happen to the front end of the car in a frontal collision the base Prius b2 starts at just twenty six thousand four hundred dollars well a v5 with optional advanced technology package will cost closer to $36,000 with plenty of room for growing families and all of their stuff and for a comfortable ride the 2012 Toyota Prius V is definitely worth strong consideration especially if good fuel economy fuels your buying decision you\n"