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The v is short for “versatility,” and the moniker is well earned as this is easily the most capable Prius ever built. It is longer, wider, and taller than the standard Prius but keeps the wedge-like shape so the familial resemblance is there. However, instead of sloping down at the back the rear of the Prius v is elevated which makes extra cargo space and eliminates the need for the split-rear window the Prius employs.
Specifically, cargo room in the rear has grown from 21.6 cubic feet all the way up to 34.3 cubic feet (67.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down), which means that it has roughly the same cargo space as many of the compact SUVs currently on the market. The Prius v’s larger wheelbase also offers you more room for passengers, especially when it comes to hip/shoulder room.
Under the hood of the 2012 Prius v you’ll find the same drivetrain you would in a regular Prius: a 98-horsepower, 1.4-liter four-cylinder on the efficient Atkinson cycle that combines with an electric motor for a total output of 134-horsepower.
The price you pay for this added utility is found at the pump, but this is only in relative terms. It’s a simple equation – identical engines plus the Prius v’s 200 added pounds and mpg will fall. In this case, the Prius v gets 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, which put it about 10 mpg behind the normal Prius in combined terms. However, when you compare the Prius v to other wagons/crossovers of roughly the same size/cargo room, it easily outpaces the competition usually by 10 or more mpg combined. So when it comes to combining utility and fuel efficiency, the Prius v practically owns the segment.
Available in three trims, Two, Three, and Five (don’t ask us what happened to Four), the 2012 Prius v is well equipped no matter which trim level you select. The look and feel of the interior is very similar to the regular Prius; the instrument panel is once again centrally mounted and high on the dash, and the steering wheel looks identical. Standard features include automatic climate control, a 6.1-inch touchscreen with integrated backup camera, push button start, and Bluetooth® and USB/iPod connectivity. New for this year as an option is Toyota’s new Entune media system which connects with your smartphone to give you access to different apps and features, like streaming internet radio and Bing searches. Also optional are a panoramic moonroof, dynamic radar cruise control, and heated front seats with upgraded fabric.
Safety features include an electronic stability system, traction control, seven airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, antilock brakes, and a now standard brake override system.
So if you and your family need a little bit more room for those long trips, the 2012 Toyota Prius v adds some size to the green revolution.
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