Description

The 2012 Toyota Prius V gives buyers a larger, more family-friendly alternative to the standard Prius hatchback. Vehicle overview The Toyota Prius has won many fans with its eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency, but it might not be the best fit for someone with the responsibilities of a family. Now gas-conscious shoppers with offspring to consider have the 2012 Toyota Prius V (the "v" represents "versatility," not the Roman numeral five). This wagon is based on the Prius hatchback, and offers similar fuel efficiency and 60 percent more cargo capacity.

Relative to the standard Prius, the Prius V is an inch wider, 6 inches longer and 3 inches taller. Its wheelbase exceeds that of the hatchback by 3 inches, which helps give it a more spacious cabin, so now there's ample room for passengers and 34 cubic feet of luggage space available behind the rear seats. Utility is enhanced by rear seats that slide, recline and fold down, and there's even a fold-flat front passenger seat to help accommodate outsized cargo.

This wagon shares its powertrain with the Prius, which means it's motivated by a 1.8-liter gas engine that works with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery to produce a combined 134 horsepower. With EPA ratings of 44 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, the Prius V isn't as fuel-efficient as the standard Prius, but its mileage is good enough to give it a huge advantage over all the models against which it will likely be cross-shopped. - Source Edmunds.com