2012 Toyota Prius V

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Consumer reviews:

Fuel economy: 42 city/38 hwy mpg

Target Launch: Summer 2011
Pricing & Specs are Edmunds.com's expectations.

MSRP not available for Pre-Production vehicles

What Edmunds Says

The 2012 Toyota Prius V gives buyers a more family-friendly alternative to the standard Prius hatchback.

Pros

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Cons

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Available Models

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Prius V Base

1.8L 4-cyl. hybrid engine
Continuously variable transmission
Up to 42 cty/38 hwy mpg
MP3 Player
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control

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MSRP not available

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Toyota Prius V is an all-new and larger model built on the standard Prius.

Introduction

Eco-conscious shoppers who desire more interior space than the Toyota Prius currently offers now have a new alternative: the 2012 Toyota Prius V. The Prius V is basically a supersized Prius, with the "V" standing for versatility -- not the Roman numeral five.

The new Prius V is an inch wider, 6 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the standard Prius. The wheelbase is also 3 inches longer, which helps to increase interior volume. The cabin is definitely roomier, with 34 cubic feet of luggage space available behind the rear seats. Those rear seats also slide, recline and fold down. There's even a fold-flat front passenger seat to further the car's versatility.

Under the hood you'll find the same powertrain that's used for the regular Prius. A 1.8-liter gas engine in tandem with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery combine to produce 134 horsepower. Fuel economy drops a bit compared to the regular Prius, but Toyota's estimate of 42 mpg city/38 mpg highway and 40 mpg in combined driving is still quite impressive.

The Prius V will also have more in the way of features -- both standard and optional. These include a rearview camera, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control and an advanced parking guidance system. Also new is Toyota's new Entune multimedia system, which is comparable to Ford's Sync but with a claimed increase in smartphone and app integration.

The regular Prius is already pretty versatile and roomy, and the 2012 Toyota Prius V only adds on top of that. We suspect the V will be a nice alternative for people who would have otherwise bought a Ford Escape Hybrid. We'll know more about how the V performs once we get closer to the car's on-sale date of summer 2011. Check back later for complete buying advice and driving impressions.