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2013 Toyota Prius V: Hybrid Wagon Ultimate Guide

By Antony Ingram
Antony Ingram Antony Ingram
Contributing Writer BIO
Antony is an automotive obsessive: Whether it drives, sits there looking pretty or intrigues from afar, he'll talk and write about it. Automotive... More

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The Prius name has been around since the very first Prius sedan back in 1999, but until recently Toyota's flagship hybrid has been a single-model range.

Now joined by the 2013 Toyota Prius C subcompact, the 2013 Prius V is part of a three-pronged attack on the market.

The new body is more spacious than ever and should open the range to customers who might not have considered a Prius before--reducing fuel bills and pollution, while enjoying traditional Prius virtues like a smooth powertrain and great reliability.


We've been following the model for a while, and can now bring you an ultimate guide to the hybrid wagon.

For a comprehensive run-down on the Prius V, check out our full review of the 2013 Toyota Prius V.

First, the basics. Much of the Prius V is little different to the regular Prius we know and love. Under the hood there's a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle gasoline engine, paired with an electric motor through a planetary gearseat, which Toyota terms e-CVT. As the name suggests, it acts just like a continuously-variable transmission, but it can also choose between gasoline or electric propulsion--or both--depending on driving conditions.

The EPA rates the Prius V wagon at 42 mpg combined, 8 mpg less than the normal Prius. City mileage is a competitive 44 mpg, and it'll do 40 mpg on the highway.

Pricing starts from $26,650, and runs to $30,295, to which you can add Toyota's compulsory $795 destination fee.

 

Driving the Prius V

It's fair to say that the Prius V drives pretty much like you'd expect a larger Prius to drive. If you'd like a little more detail than that summary though, you'd be best to check out our full review of the 2012 Toyota Prius V, or check out some of the links below.

For something a little different, you can also read our review of the Toyota Prius+. That's what they call the Prius V in Europe, but over there it also gets two more seats and a few tweaks to the battery. Is it any good? Head over to the article to find out.

 

Buying the Prius V

Interested in buying a Prius V? You'll be joining plenty of others then, as Prius V sales have helped the Prius range soar to new sales heights. You might be interested in our comparison with the Mazda5 too, which isn't as economical, but offers an extra seat in its three-row interior. Need more info? There's plenty below.

 

Pre-launch information

We knew the Prius V was coming for quite a while before it actually arrived, so there was plenty of pre-launch speculation. You can read the pre-launch info by clicking on some of the links below.

For further information on the Prius line, check our our ultimate guides to the regular Toyota Prius Hybrid, and the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. We now also have a full guide to the Toyota Prius C subcompact.

Our sister site TheCarConnection also offers a full review of the 2012 Toyota Prius V.

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Comments (16)

  1. fb_1344065114 avatar Jill Somers Posted: 1/24/2012 1:25pm PST

    Can you tell me where exactly th ultimate guide is?
     
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  2. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 1/25/2012 9:42am PST

    LOL. Great question.
     
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  3. Fearfull Ralph avatar Ralph Krueger Posted: 1/31/2012 2:00am PST

    I looked at the Prius in 2005 and although I loved the styling and the spacious interior (have always liked wagons & hatchbacks)I could not stand the invisible center mounted speedometer, not being able to see out of the back window, and the poor performance so I bought a V6 Honda Accord Hybrid that least would move when I pushed the loud pedal even though it would not get 60 mpg it would at least hit 60mph in 7.5 seconds.
     
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  4. fb_100001727000178 avatar Forest Randonneur Posted: 5/10/2012 8:12pm PDT

    The 2005 Prius does not have a center-mounted speedometer.

    Plenty of other hybrids that used the Prius-type Power Split Device drivetrain can do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds as well. Camry Hybrid, Altima Hybrid, Fusion Hybrid. While giving better combined EPA fuel economy than the Accord Hybrid.
     
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  5. ralphk avatar Ralph Krueger Posted: 2/21/2013 4:31am PST

    Well then, Forest, I reckon the 2005 Prius that I drove in November of 2005 must have been a custom built one because the speedometer was definitely in the center in that band that runs below the full width of the windshield. Actually, my V6 Accord hybrid does 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds while the only way a Prius could do it in 7.5 seconds would be if it was being pushed by a Corvette.The 2005 Prius took 10.7 seconds to reach 60 and, more importantly, took 3 seconds longer to accelerate from 45-65,and 24 feet longer to stop from 60 than the Accord (those last figures are all vital to safety).
     
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  6. dgatewood avatar Don Gatewoood Posted: 2/21/2013 3:41am PST

    Some people do not understand the reasoning behind the high distant mounting of the digital speedo and just critise because its different.Its easier and quicker for the eye to refocus from the road to a speedo position as in the Prius than a position lower and nearer the driver.
    Again rear vision has been no problem for all those owners of the Prius,there has not been a spate of reversing accidents relating to poor rear vision. I suspect a lot of complainers are very "set in their ways" and reluctant to change. Acceleration? just look at a second hand and tell me the importance of three seconds difference 0-60 time, its stupid, how many times do we even perform this test outside a journalist's test for an article.
     
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  7. ralphk avatar Ralph Krueger Posted: 2/21/2013 4:40am PST

    I guess I shall have to look at a Prius again because the speedometer definitely was not high mounted in the 2005 one that I drove but was mounted far away just below the windshield.The second best instrument panel I have ever had was in the old Chrysler with the speedometer mounted above the dash and the best was the one that projected the reading onto the windshield just below eye level. I must admit that I never even considered "reversing accidents" when I complained about being unable to see out the back but I was upset that I could see what was behind my 34' motor home better than what was behind the tiny Prius. For all practical purposes, the Prius could just as well used a solid body panel and saved the weight of the glass.
     
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  8. dgatewood avatar Don Gatewoood Posted: 2/22/2013 9:31am PST

    Ralph the speedo is where you thought it's near the base of the windshield which is higher than a conventional mount directly in front of the driver.
    The HUD that you liked should project the image on the glass just above the prius speedo and achieves the same result. If it was any higher on the glass (mid vision) it would be a distraction.
    My main point is the refocus advantage and not having to lower your eyes further to a unit closer in the normal position adopted by most makers.
    You must surely have CCTV for your motorhome and its available on the as an option so you can see the ground immediately behind the car.
     
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  9. fb_1414057660 avatar Ralph Krueger Posted: 2/22/2013 1:35pm PST

    Mid position for a speedo is fine while making a sharp right turn. It is close to eye level for those so small they are barely able to see over the steering wheel.I see no reason not to have the speedo directly in front of the driver. At least if it were in front of the driver he would not have to stop looking where the car was going to check the speed. According to my eye doc's computer I am able to see things that are well out of the normal field of vision. My current vision after cataract surgery (which reduced field of vision slightly) is 20/15 which is close to 20/10 I had when I was 20.

    No CCTV on 78 Argosy & CCTV stopped working in 94 on 91 Southwind. I can see what is behind me far better in them than in the Prius tiny mirrors.
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  10. fb_685780744 avatar Lance Kozlowski Posted: 2/8/2012 12:34pm PST

    What a lame video.... underexposed talking head and loud motor noise without a single view of the rest of the interior or the exterior!
     
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  11. xQQQQme avatar David Pool Posted: 4/12/2012 12:24pm PDT

    We traded our '05 Prius for the new Prius V almost three weeks ago. Since then we've made two 450+ mile round trips and beat the EPA Hwy number...and a week's worth of commutes for my wife show she's easily beating the EPA City number.
     
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  12. fb_1550088602 avatar Kim Cooper Posted: 8/26/2012 7:54pm PDT

    The thing I want to know about the V is -- Is the rear view any better? I have driven the regular Prius a few times and it was hard to see when backing up. Have they improved that? Everything else I like. Especially the way they look.
     
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  13. Chris Raber avatar Chris Raber Posted: 8/28/2012 7:42am PDT

    I agree. When backing up it's just awkward looking out the back. I'm always feeling like I might run into something or someone in a parking lot. Hopefully this has been improved in the V.
     
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  14. dgatewood avatar Don Gatewoood Posted: 2/21/2013 3:59am PST

    Kim have you ever tried using your mirrors, most all cars are difficult see out of to the rear and some drivers have dissabilities preventing them from physically turning to look. Checking all three mirrors, parking sensors looking at reflections in shop windows all help. Sitting in the Prius I can turn and plainly see all thats necessary through the rear glass likewise using the interior mirror so can't see what the problem is for the complainers. Rejecting the prius for this means you are missing out on a fantastic experience.
     
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  15. fb_1559222512 avatar Xiaolong Li Posted: 1/9/2013 12:07pm PST

    This is one Prius that I might be able to accept.
     
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  16. GasGuzzler avatar Gas Guzzler Posted: 1/10/2013 1:08pm PST

    Ultimate Guide:
    Toyota Prius V

    1.Exceeds EPA 40-44 estimates by 3-4 mpg easy.
    2.Has as much space for storage as a mid sized SUV.
    3.Drives smooth, with a little of what I like to call, "Hybrid Hum" noise from the engine.
    4. No cumbersome middle console inside or back window divider outside as seen on the regular Prius.
    5. 2013 Models have improved "soft-tex" leather steeling wheel and cool new Seaglass Pearl color (mid grey-with blue-green).
    6. When the battery is charged high, you can drive under 25 mph in all electric EV mode for about a minute or two.
    7. Easy to use infotainment system.
    8. Backup camera standard on all models.
    9. You will not miss your gas guzzling SUV.
    10.Not the sexiest car, but one of the best cars made today.
     
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