Introduction the 2012 Prius V, for this model, Toyota Prius has a larger capacity model on offer that could be considered part station wagon or part crossover vehicle. From the start, the new Prius V is a hybrid in the same sense that the previous model was, as well. Boasting a 20-percent decrease in weight, the car has been on a diet with a curb weight of 3,274 lbs. Although the Prius V is three inches longer, and three inches taller than the standard Prius, the two vehicles share the same drivetrain. From there, the V features a taller greenhouse and more usable space behind the rear seats through a swing-up cargo door.
In headlamps feature fins, which help to channel air over the top while the front airdam channels air cleanly around the side. There’s a standard functional rear spoiler for downforce and curbing of turbulence, which in the end hampers high miles-per-gallon pursuits. Speaking of miles per gallon, EPA says to expect 44 city, 40 highway, with a combined average of 42 mpg.

Some markets will get Vs with room for seven, but the North American model (thankfully) only has seating for five. In the United States, Prius V will be offered in three trim levels: Prius V Two, Prius V Three and the topper of all the toppers, the Prius V Five. Toyota isn’t very good with counting, apparently.

The field of alternative–fueled vehicles continues to grow daily. Current contenders include the Nissan Leaf, the Honda Insight, the Chevrolet Volt, and even its own stablemates, the limited availability Prius Plug-in and the traditional Prius. And these are just models that have some approximation to being a hatchback.

The V features movable rear seats on tracks, which slide forward and back, as well as recline and fold forward. With a 60/40 split, all sorts of variations are possible. There is 34.3 cubic ft. of cargo space with the rear seats up. Toyota says that’s 80 percent more than found in its competition. Fold them down and that space jumps to 67.3 cubic-ft. That compares with 21.6 cu-ft. with the seats up, and 39.6 cubic ft. with them folded down in the standard Prius. Admittedly, the normal Prius isn’t much of a cargo hauler – something buyers have mentioned since day one.

Also new on the inside is SofTex synthetic leather, in addition to two different colors of fabric seat covers. The SofTex actually managed to keep us cool despite the mid-90s temperatures going on outside the vehicle. The Prius V is available in a choice of six exterior colors and three interior choices.

The interior layout of the Prius V carries many familiar cues. One of the most identifiable is the center mounted control pod, which is a LCD screen positioned at the top center of what would be considered the traditional dashboard. As before, there are no gauges to look at through the steering wheel like in a conventional vehicle.

That steering wheel, by the way, is equipped with all the redundant switches and buttons that you would find on most any other car. Bluetooth, check. Audio, ditto. Even the climate control has redundancy here. The center stack houses the push-button start and “push to park” button as well. A fly-by-wire gear selector is there to select drive, reverse and neutral. Move the spring-loaded lever into the appropriate gate and you are good to go forward, reverse or not at all.