Topic: Toyota Prius MPV - Prius V

[kevlar]

wow i can't believe i am going to say this but bring it on.   anything to replace all of the massive minivans roaming north america.

[Ice]

Hopefully the MPV/wagon style vehicle will be the family vehicle of choice for my generation. Hard to say just yet...but it's good to see Toyota toss their hat in the ring with their own take on the segment. Almost everyone else has one or is set to have one soon but only Ford has announced a hybrid model so this should be an interesting new fight.

[life in the slow lane]

Its not bad. I like the styling. Agree that the fog lights look like an afterthought. Not disappointed that there is no third seat. Not everyone who likes this type of vehicle needs the third row.

As for not having the minivan doors, the more reason for not having a third seat. I am tired of people who  SUVs with third seats park in the stall next to mine and then bang thier doors against my vehcile as someone tries to manouver into the mostly useless third seats. At least with a minvan they can open the door, have a wide entrance and not bang the vehicle next to them. But oops I am sorry mini vans aren't cool.

The only drawback for me is the dash. I do not like the speedo being in the middle of the dash.

[Ice]

Agreed on the speedometer... I really dislike the center mounted position personally. But it's a Prius so it has to be funky and weirdly high tech.

[airbalancer]

I thought I would really dislike driving a car with centre guage, but after a couple of kms, you do not even notice it

[life in the slow lane]

I thought I would really dislike driving a car with centre guage, but after a couple of kms, you do not even notice it

I wish I could say the same. Was given a Yaris by the rent a car company when the other vehicle I reserved was not returned on time. I had the car for a week, and just couldn't get used to the center gauges.

[EV Dan]

The dash is crazy and materials seem cheap, but it's a reasonable compromise for an affordable fuel miser. My peeve here and with many other car makers today is the steering wheel. 2/3rd of it is a waste of space as you cannot grab it comfortably at 5 and 7 o'clock. I'd take a classic 3 spoke one every time.

[airbalancer]

The dash is crazy and materials seem cheap, but it's a reasonable compromise for an affordable fuel miser. My peeve here and with many other car makers today is the steering wheel. 2/3rd of it is a waste of space as you cannot grab it comfortably at 5 and 7 o'clock. I'd take a classic 3 spoke one every time.

5 & 7 

I usually only have 1 or 2 fingers on the wheel at 9   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

When is this thing out? Aug/Sept?

Was thinking of recommending it to my parents, but the dash is too space age for my step-mom (she didn't even like the power windows or HVAC controls in her Elantra Touring - long story). Still, want to give it a whirl.

[airbalancer]

I bet we do not see in Canada until Xmas with the storage in Japan

Also hope for a major decease in gas prices 6 month after it comes out so they will discount it , buy the let gas shot up LOL

[Shnak]

Maybe I missed it, but any idea on the price of this Prius V? This would make a perfect 2nd car for us, but as such, it'd need to be in the mid-to-high 20's at the most.

EDIT: I should add that I despise center gauges and don't like the dash design of the Prius V one bit, but that alone wouldn't stop me from buying a plug-in if I like everything else (purchase/running costs, equipment, etc.).

[conwelpic]

Nov 1 - first impressions

http://www.auto123.com/en/toyota/prius-v/2012/review?carid=1126101800&artid=137150

[OliverD]

Interestingly, the base price for the 2012 Prius V is actually $600 LESS than the 2011 Prius. Since the 2012 Camry Hybrid is getting a big price drop for 2012, I'm guessing the same thing will happen to the normal Prius. (Certain Tacomas have also dropped substantially for 2012.)

[OliverD]

I bet we do not see in Canada until Xmas with the storage in Japan

Saw one on a lot in Quebec yesterday.

[Mike]

I bet we do not see in Canada until Xmas with the storage in Japan

Saw one on a lot in Quebec yesterday.

I saw one all week last week....in my driveway     Review to come

[EV Dan]

http://www.youtube.com/user/consumerreports#p/u/6/AE-pE3bXhAk

CR's quick video review.

I find it short sighted for Toyota to give this ppl-cargo hauler the same drivetrain as the lighter and smaller Prius Liftback's.
It could really benefit from the current Camry Hybrid's redesigned Atkinson ICE.

[quadzilla]

With all that technology they still couldn't make a flat floor.