
The 2017 Toyota Prius V hybrid wagon has a pair of new and effective competitors sitting next to it on the floor of Toyota dealers.
First is the RAV4 Hybrid, new last year, which provides the desirable SUV label and standard all-wheel drive, neither of which the Prius wagon offers.
Then there's the latest Prius Liftback, totally redesigned last year as well, whose polarizing styling belies a far more normal driving experience, better roadholding, and much improved noise suppression—not to mention EPA ratings of 52 or 56 mpg combined.
Beyond that, the Ford C-Max Hybrid has less interior volume, and its fuel-economy ratings have been lowered twice (they're lower than those of the Prius V), but it's nicer inside, more powerful, and quieter on the road.
Competing with the RAV4, the Ford Escape is a more traditional compact crossover, but the fuel economy of its EcoBoost engines in real-world use can go as low as half the Prius V's.
Finally, the VW Golf SportWagen is one of few remaining traditional compact wagons.
It provides startling interior volume for people and cargo, but its high-efficiency TDI diesel versions are off the market, so you're stuck with a turbocharged gasoline engine and average fuel-economy ratings.
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Quick Specs | |||
The 2017 Toyota Prius V is the largest Prius model offered, though it's now also one of the oldest. |
The 2017 Ford Escape foregoes a bit of utility in the name of style and sportiness, making it one of the better crossovers to drive. |
The 2017 Toyota Prius closes the gap between "driving a hybrid" and "driving a normal car," even though it still looks like nothing else on the road. |
There's a Golf for nearly every taste and need—Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen— and don't forget about the EV eGolf, which is very balanced and fun to drive. |
MSRP From | |||
$26,675 | $23,750 | $23,475 | $19,895 |
Gas Mileage | |||
43 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 54 MPG City / 53 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||
Gas/Electric I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas/Electric I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||
Mid-Size Station Wagon | Small SUV 2WD | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars |
Style Name | |||
Two (Natl) | S FWD | One (SE) | 1.8T 4-Door S Manual |
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 | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||
CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
2017 Toyota Prius V vs. 2017 Ford Escape | 2017 Toyota Prius V vs. 2017 Toyota Prius | 2017 Toyota Prius V vs. 2017 Volkswagen Golf |