2012 Toyota Prius V vs. Its Competition

2012 Toyota Prius V station wagon, Half Moon Bay, CA, May 2011

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John Voelcker

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John is Senior Editor for High Gear Media. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for High Gear's... More

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Jun 4, 2012

Taking another tack toward green, the clean-diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen is as sporty as the Prius V is earnest.

Both good good fuel economy, but they go about it in opposite ways.

More likely competitors are the traditional small crossovers: the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Neither of them gets remotely near the Prius V's 42 mpg, but they're basic and reliable family vehicles in their four-cylinder variants.

Closer, perhaps, will be the upcoming 2013 Ford Escape fitted with the smallest 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, which should get surprisingly high gas mileage ratings for a crossover.

But really, the closest match to the Prius V won't be out for at least a year: It's the Ford C-Max Hybrid, a five-seat people mover fitted with Ford's well-reviewed and economical hybrid system.

Both the C-Max and the hatchback Prius will also come in plug-in hybrid models, but the C-Max Hybrid lines up best against the Prius V.

2012 Toyota Prius V Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda CR-V Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Toyota RAV4 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
N/A The 2012 Toyota V wagon offers all the classic Prius hybrid virtues--low-speed electric running, top-of-class fuel economy, and interior space--in a super-sized package that still offers remarkable gas mileage ratings. We think it will do very well among Prius owners with families who need the extra space for people and stuff.	7.8 The 2012 Honda CR-V is a great family vehicle, with a thoughtfully designed and comfortable interior, and improved refinement, but it lacks the confident, sprightly feel present in past CR-Vs.	6.8 The 2012 Toyota RAV4 remains a strong, refined choice for families, even though some of its design might be a blast from the past.	7.8 The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen isn't exactly like its sedan counterpart--it's noticeably smaller but nicer inside.
MSRP From
$26,550	$22,495	$22,650	$20,195
Gas Mileage
44 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	23 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas/Electric I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I5
EPA Class
Midsize Station Wagon	2WD Sport Utility	Sport Utility Vehicle	Small Station Wagons
Style Name
5dr Wagon Two (Natl)	2WD 5dr LX	FWD 4dr I4 (Natl)	4dr Manual S
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Wagon	Sport Utility Vehicle	4 Door	4 Door
Transmission
Continuously Variable Ratio	Automatic	Automatic w/OD	Manual