2014 Toyota Prius V vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

The main competitor for the 2014 Toyota Prius V wagon is the Ford C-Max, which is slightly less spacious inside but more powerful and with a nicer interior.

Both vehicles give 40 mpg or more in real-world use--never mind their EPA ratings--and will suit families with a desire to save on gas costs.

Main competitors may come in the same showroom, either the less expensive and even more fuel-efficient Prius liftback, or for families who want all-wheel drive, the Toyota RAV4 that was redesigned last year.

It's nowhere near the hybrids for gas mileage, though.

Another traditional crossover is the Ford Escape, though it no longer offers a hybrid model, but it's nicer inside than the RAV4 and handles better as well.

Finally, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen is the only mass-market wagon offered with a diesel option.

It's only slightly better than average around town, but on the highway, it consistently outperforms on its EPA ratings--and some drivers may prefer its freight-train torque to the hybrid howl under acceleration.