2012 Toyota Prius v Wagon hybrid

2012 Toyota Prius v Wagon Review – Building upon the success of Toyota’s popular hybrid

By contributing editor David Colman
PROS:

• 58% more room
• Double sunroof
• Airy interior

CONS:

• Reduced MPG
• Awkward shape
• Plethora of driving distractions

A couple of years ago, 3 of us set out on wine country safari in a second generation Prius 4-door. By the end of the day, the cabin of that car was beginning to feel very small. The trunk was loaded with cases of wine and the rear springs sagged accordingly. Our spirits flagged from sharing such close quarters. While the trip was a success, the Prius was judged to be undersized for the mission.

Enter the antidote for such congestion, the new for 2012 Prius v, which goes on sale in the Fall of 2011. According to Toyota, the “v” stands for versatility. The expanded version retains the original’s 134 hp Hybrid Synergy Drive and distinctive edgy appearance. But thanks to a soaring new roofline and lengthened wheelbase, the “v” gains that scosh of room growing families now require. Overall length grows by half a foot, width by just over an inch, and height by 3 inches. Wheelbase is up by more than 3 inches, which contributes to a 38 inch couple distance between front and rear seats. The feeling inside is a move from Economy Class to Business Class. Compared to the existing Prius, the interior of the “v” feels like a cathedral, with huge, airy windows, and a vaulted ceiling made all the more impressive by a new, optional front/rear sunroof.

Because of the increase in frontal area presented by the taller and wider windshield, the coefficient of drag (cD) of the “v” increases from the base Prius’ 0.26 to 0.29. Toyota has taken some remarkable measures to keep that cD under 0.30. For example, the front headlight shells include aerodynamic winglets molded into their exterior surface to promote boundary layer airflow adhesion in this critical area. While the 232 pound-heftier “v” can’t match the existing Prius’ spectacular fuel economy of 51 MPG City/48 Highway, it still returns highly efficient numbers: 44 MPG City/40 Highway/42 combined.

To compensate for the expected weight of more passengers and cargo, Toyota redesigned the suspension components of the existing Prius. Up front, the coil over springs have been increased in diameter and rate, with beefier shocks benefiting from a redesigned upper mounting point. A new front suspension member now houses the ring and pinion steering mechanism for more precise steering feel. At the rear, a twist beam axle depends on uprated springs and struts to control oscillation. Toyota has installed wheel speed sensors to detect ride irregularity. These trigger a system called “Pitch and Bounce Control” which uses torque of the electric motor to damped unwanted suspension motion. On a long drive through bumpy Wild Horse Canyon near San Juan Bautista, the “v” scored well in the deportment department. We tested versions with both the standard 6.5 x 16 inch wheels (Yokohama 205/60R16 BlueEarth S34) and optional 7 x 17 inch alloys (Toyo 215/50R17 Proxes A20), and found little to choose between them. The Pitch and Bounce Control seems to negate 16 versus 17 inch handling differences.

The more auto makers preach to us about the dangers of distracted driving, the more they try to distract us from the task of driving. The latest Prius is engulfed with reams of such technology unrelated to operating a vehicle. To insure that you spend nary a moment in quiet contemplation, Toyota offers a dazzling array of alternatives to thinking. Topping the list is Entune, a multimedia system that “leverages the mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience.” Want to check your stocks on the NYSE? No problem, just push the appropriate button hardwired into the dash. Same for Bing, OpenTable and movietickets.com. Of course, none of this works if you’re so antediluvian (or cheap) as to reject ownership of a smartphone. In addition to Entune, the “v” is equipped with Bluetooth wireless for hands-free phone calls, plus an automatic phone book transfer protocol. Optional HD radio comes with iTunes tagging (for future purchase) plus XM Satellite Radio. All you need is a designated driver so you can lounge carefree in the passenger seat, swaddled by all the technology.

2012 TOYOTA PRIUS v SPECS

• ENGINE: 1.8 liter aluminum DOHC, 16 valve VVT-I in line four plus 650V Motor Generator
• HORSEPOWER: 134 hp
• TORQUE: 258 lb.-ft.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 44MPG City/40 MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: TBA