2014 Toyota Prius V: Is it for you? Real world analysis and test drive.
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- The Toyota Prius V has been on my list of cars to review for some time...I always wanted to know, where does it sit in the automotive universe? Why buy the V over a standard Prius? Who should consider it?
In this review I'll answer those questions while looking at the fuel economy, cargo and passenger space, interior design and overall day-to-day functionality and ergonomics. As always expect a real world, unscripted review that you can find helpful.
Thanks for stopping by and please, like, subscribe, comment and share!
-Greg
Special thanks to Amigo Toyota of Gallup New Mexico:
www.amigotoyota.com - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I have almost 40 thousand miles on mine, and I'm averaging about 44 to 47 mpgs in most tanks (about half city half highway) on long trips 99% highway I get between 42 and 44 mpg. Also the base V model has a lot more features than the base hatchback. Btw, I'm in my 30s with no kids, and I love it, I also use it for camping, I sleep in the twin size bed inside the car with the heater or the ac, on, all night, and because it's a hybrid, the engine cycles on and off and about 80% of the time it runs on battery power, so I'm super comfortable, safe, and I barely use under half a gallon of gas for 10 hours of idling with the ac or the heater on.
TheSaint135 Wow. cool use! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
-Greg
GREAT info. Thanks!!
Thanks for the info, but im worried about the co2 flowing all night when u sleep in the car. Be careful friend
@@tranesoots909 CO is the danger. But I'd be concerned, too. A CO detector in the car with you would be a good idea.
@@tranesoots909 modern car dont have this issue
Now that the weather is warmer, I'm hitting 51mpg with my 2012 V.. Good times.. Getting better and better everyday!
My 2012 Prius V gets 63-65 miles per imperial gallon, city driving in the summer (70F and above). My mileage drops to 42-44 on the highway (62 MPH) and down to about 38-40 MPG in the winter (temperature of -40F). With the back seats down I have been able to haul (12) 4 x 4 x 9' lumber, a complete toilet in a box and 4 large (65 lbs +) dogs - all at the same time. The dogs weren't happy, but they fit. My last 2 vehicles were a Cadillac DTS and a Volvo XC90 and the Prius has been more mechanically reliable than either of them. I wouldn't have bought any Prius if I did a lot of highway driving because of the noise factor but that's what my wife's Lexus ES350 is for. A wonderful car - reliable, well built and incredibly quiet in the city. I have every intention of buying another one.
I know this car isnt for speed but how is it on the highway? Im use to a 2015 Corolla and a 2002 Corolla so how does the V do with 50-70mph runs? Around our bigger cities everyone does 80-90 and the Corolla with a CVT does great but the one with the 4 speed doesnt
Mine is very stable on the highway, even at 80 mph through Montana - it is definitely quieter than my wife's Subaru Forester with a 4 speed automatic transmission. The downside is that it is prone to wind and road noise, particularly with winter tread tires. Merging can be a challenge especially if the ramp is uphill - you really have to put the 'pedal to the metal' and then the engine is at max revs. It is really a city car suitable for occasional highway use - if I was going to spend more than 25% of my time on the highway I would buy a car with more sound proofing and less emphasis on mileage. I must admit it has the most comfortable seats I have ever experienced - excellent lumbar support and padding that doesn't hurt my butt like the seats in my previous car, a 2007 Cadillac DTS. I plan to keep my Prius at least 10 years and will probably replace it with another Prius (as long as they keep making the 'V' model). Hope that helps.
Okay when its time to replace my Corolla (who knows when that will be) I may test drive a V and also look into older Rav4s
@@hunterkyle2021 It does fine even in Eco mode up to 70 mph, up to 80 in power mode. I never drive it above 75 because it's my baby.
You forgot to mention the cargo cover that keeps your "stuff" hidden from view. It connects to the back seat headrest and locks securely I'm place. As for gas milage, this is our 2nd Prius V, and we average 46 mpg overall ( little more around town, a little less on the interstate ). We took a 3200 mile trip last summer with 2 adults, 2 teenagers, and a booster seat, and luggage and entertainment for 5 people and it was great!
There is more storage under the rear cover not mentioned. There is two storage areas (not counting spare tire under the storage).
I have a Prius V and one little known fact is that with a little creative adjusting you can actually convert the front passenger seat and the seat directly behind it into a pseudo chase lounge chair! First slide the seat that's directly behind the front passenger seat all the way back, then recline the seat back. Next slide the front passenger seat up, recline the seat back all the way after removing the headrest. There you go, instant chaise lounge! :-)
BGoldtone Perfect for....drive in movies!? ;)
Thanks for stopping by.
-Greg
+BGoldtone perfect for uber and lyft drivers like me sitting around waiting for somebody to order a damn ride! thanks for the tip.
BGoldtone
With the 2nd row seats folded, is it possible for an avg size person to sleep in the back cargo area if empty?
We found that to be very helpful when traveling across the country in our 1st gen MDX.
We use a rolled up memory foam topper as a mini mattress.
Thanks alot. This tip is really awesome. Just tested it.
All the way from Fiji 🇫🇯 Island
I like that you reviewed the cargo area thoroughly thank you
Bryce Hale you bet! thanks for watching.
-Greg
I checked one out at a dealer that has the rear seats, but as i will not need those.
Hi Greg, you have done a great job of reviewing Prius V, the car that i have bought recently. Your review helped me to know my car better than reading the manual. The car is so good on mileage and with heated seats. I really like it very much.
First video i found that actually explains the cargo space difference.
I am considering one of the regular Prius models but your insights helped me to rethink maybe looking at one of these .
Hi Greg, the reason why there is a "gap" between the rear seats & trunk floor is that in some markets (read "Australia") Prius V has a 3rd row of seats (making it a 7 seater). The gap is for the 3rd row passengers to have their feet. Don't smirk folks, the 3rd row of seats can sit 2 adults comfortably when the middle row is moved slightly forward.
I wonder why it's not an option here. I always thought there was room.
+bramptonman Maybr because Toyota already has a popular people-mover, whose sale it doesn't want to hamper. Or maybe consumers in US don't rate fuel economy while buying a people-mover, as much as say Power, Comfort or Space (Sienna, Elgrand, Voyager etc.)
From what I've read, the Japanese have a different mentality, Americans will buy a Highlander and Japanese will buy a 7 passenger Prius v. I'm not sure how many crew cab Silverados and F150s and Ram 1500s are on the road in Japan.
Well, American are a lot fatter on average so this makes sense.
@@ChiroAY Big boned.........Sunny
Thanks for the honest, non scripted review.
Looking forward to probably owning one of these in the near future. My days of useless car flair and lack of utility are done and over.😒
This car checks a lot of boxes on my "must have" list.
Awesome review. I own a Camry hybrid and I love it! but, sometimes I need the extra cargo space. Now I know, Prius V is the car for me. Thanks !
We just bought a Prius V a month ago, and we loved it! We used to own a Highlander hybrid for 8 years. The Prius V feels almost like a Highlander with better MPG. I loved the USB audio option, but I think this is available to all Prius, not just the Prius V.
You posted this 9 years ago and it’s still the best video out there for the Prius V- thank you! And thank you for showing how a guitar would fit!!!🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for the review. I'm looking at a 2011 V right now. Trying to decide if it will fit my needs. You've definitely helped my decision.
Good review--the "practicality" aspect of the V can't really be emphasized enough, especially given the gas mileage. For all the attention the Rav4 hybrid has received, this car gives you 10-15 mpgs more and competitive storage space.
The most useful Prius V review on CZcams I found.. Thank you!!
BunderaKZT Wow, thanks!
-Greg
So helpful! Great video - really appreciate focusing on the cargo space. After all, that's what you're looking for if you're looking at a Prius V.
Emily Hebbron For sure. Thanks for watching, appreciate the support.
-Greg
Thanks for the video, just bought a 2014 Prius V 3 with 34,000 miles on it.
Just bought a new '14 Prius v Two last week. For those who wonder about the gauge cluster in the center, let me tell you that it is not a big deal. Yes, there is other information there, but the speedo is at the left side of the cluster, and the numbers are big enough that you can almost read them using your peripheral vision. I contend that I actually take less time to check my speed in this car, than I do in any of our other vehicles with conventional, analog speedometers. You do get used to it, and fairly quickly I might add. If you are considering one, see if your dealer will let you take it for a longer test drive. I absolutely love mine, but I understand that it is not for everyone.
Great review. I like the detail you went into on the cockpit/dash and the luggage/cargo area. Well done.
Ian Arcuri thanks for watching!
-Greg
Nice walkaround on the Prius V. My previous vehicle was a 2011 Prius, which averaged 46 mpg after putting on over 100,000 miles. When I first bought the Prius V, we took a 90 mile drive to and through the Napa Valley & also averaged 46 mpg. I now have 128,000 miles on mine and still average 42 which is better than the overall epa estimate. However the main reason we purchased our Prius V was for the ease of access into the the front seats since the front door opening is so much larger than our Prius. Check that feature out side by side with the standard Prius. Keep up the good work.
Nice review, thank you! Prius V definitely gives a much better impression of an actual car that you'd wanna buy compared to a regular model. The rear window is normal so you can actually see through it in your mirror and the roof is not lowered to the tail, so any person with the hight above average can seat comfortably in the back row.
Nice bike. Practical commuters are my favorite.
I have had a Prius V for 2 years and think you have it a fair review.
I love it by the way. Practical and easy to own.
popuppete Thanks, she's seen a lot of miles and my milk crate cargo rack works like a charm!
thanks for watching.
-Greg
I found my new car purchase 👌🏻👍🏻 Great review ✅
Thanks, just bought one at end of year. I was driving a mini-van which unfortunately was totaled. Debated a great deal about what to get next because I wanted the roominess. I think the Prius V3 will fulfill most of my needs. It drives nicely and compared to my gas mileage on my mini-van, this PV3 is amazing.
Jaime Thanks for sharing, good luck with your V!
-Greg
I have a new one of these for 6 months now. Generally, I am very happy with it. Some things that are negative is its underpowered at freeway speeds especially on passing. Up to 60 MPH it is fine especially in town a real gem with lots of power and good handling and economy. I have never gotten the 40 MPG advertized but get about 38-39 MPG on regular gasoline. Visibility is excellent in all directions. Fun to drive and a great in town car which is also good on the highway. Great to look at.
I am enjoying my 2016 Prius V 5. Best car I ever owned, and I have owned them all. FYI, if you have a bunch of people in the car just use the Power button which makes it feel like a regular car in terms of power.
I absolutely love these! I bought one a year ago, I've enjoyed the space really well, the MPG is better than my highlander before, but a bit more mileage or distance would be even better. Great car, annoying bluetooth system though...
Great video. I love your useful insight on your review. Thanks!
I'm getting 43.5 mpg so far love the V
phamus thanks for chiming in!
-Greg
Honestly I love that the gages are in the center my Scion XA had this feature and I’m pretty short a whopping 5’0 so this helped me not have to look over anything
We are looking to buy a certified pre-owned vehicle as ours recently had rust beyond repair. It felt foolish not to get a hybrid in 2020, but we were really interested in the compact MPV/station wagon sized vehicles so were looking at other models like Mazda 5 and Subaru Impreza. This video helped me decide on going with the Prius V as it squashed any concerns I had about space in the back row (we often need to take short trips with 2 kids and an adult back there). Thanks so much for making this video and making my buying process MUCH smoother!
For all you potential Prius buyers you have to own one to fully understand one. Yes, it is a little sluggish on the take off but that's what the power button is for. If the battery is juiced up both the gas engine and the electric motor work to launch this car from a red light (that is if you don't have it loaded down with people and/or cargo). I shopped around and settled on the level 5 package. Heated leather seats. Premium sound system. Navigation. Bluetooth. Premium wheels. The Prius V is my wife's car but I seem to enjoy it more than she does. Toyota sold themselves a little short on the MPG with the combined 42 mpg figure. My 2013 Prius since new has averaged almost 44 combined. It's very roomy and quite sporty. It's a really cool car once you get to know it.
You forgot the inside backup alarm and the need to take your eyes off the road to work the fan, a/c.
I like your style homeboy. I use the line “just my opinion take it for what it’s worth “all the time.
Wow, a human being who cares about the same features of a car that I do. Strangely rare. Thanks for making this video!
Really helpful video! I am considering purchasing one myself.
i’m on my second prius V & i still love it so much, hence stumbling upon this video. for anyone watching this & contemplating a V - do it!
Thank you for this comment, I’m hoping to get one this week and love reading that you got one TWICE!
@@Cloudyconfusioni hope you love it! i will buy them until i can’t anymore. they are great cars!
This man is so good at what he does. Humble yes. Way beyond professional compared to so called experts such as driving.ca. I'm looking into a Prius V. Thanks for covering all the bases regarding this car. Awwwwwwwesome!
Mick Lessard Wow, thanks so much for your kind words! The Prius V is a great machine for many people, good luck with your search.
-Greg
Interesting...I'll look into it further...something to consider...thank you for this
thanks for the review! I'm considering purchasing a prius v but doing some research for now.
Rosemary Marroquin hope it was helpful.
-Greg
I love mine. I just got it and the space if definitely worth the trade in slightly lower mileage. It's still high when compared to other cars of the same size. I use to have a 2005 prius and loved it, so I was happy to see they make one everyone can fit in with all our stuff :) Very happy with the purchase. Oh and the relocated controls for speed is an improvement from he older models - it was in the way when it was over the steering wheel area.
Tracy S. thanks for sharing your experiences!
-Greg
Great Review Greg!.....very professional and very useful for potential car shoppers. I've subscribed and look froward to viewing other reviews you've done.
I own a 2012 Prius V III and drove it on a 36-day, 9,200 Cross-Country trip in 2013, during which we followed the Lewis and Clark Trail all the way from Virginia to Washington/Oregon. During the trip, we traveled at speeds up to 90+ mph (especially in New Mexico and Texas where the speed limit was 85 and we had big rigs and pickups hauling boats passing us in the fast lane) and still averaged 40.3 mpg for the entire trip. After owning this for 3 years now, I am extremely pleased with it and am looking forward to buying another one if they come out with a plug-in version.
+Chuck Robuck An 85 mph speed limit is an insult to the planet. Haven't these States heard of global warming?
@desperate, stay in Los Angeles or SF then, where you can drive closer to 8.5 mph.
I thought, and was taught the lewis and Clark expedition started in St. Louis MO?
Your review is very accurate and non-biased. I really like my Prius V. It replaced my Toyota RAV-4 and I doubled my gas mileage! When hypermiling, I can get close to 48 mpg and when I drive aggressively on power-mode, I get 38. I've used this car for various duties and I have even hauled a refrigerator! This car is adequate for commuting, hauling stuff, camping, etc. The V3 links to your blu-tooth cellphone device for music, Bing, phone, sports, weather, fuel, traffic updates for navigation (would you like to reroute past that traffic (car fire) ahead?), and Pandora. This car is very enjoyable and it saves me a lot of money.
Socal Maro Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences.
-Greg
I've recently got a 2013 Pris V (Japanese import) and for all the people who have to transport a good old push-type wheelchair, it can stand up in that rear deep "umbrella tray" whithout removing the wheels. That is the reason why I got the"V" instead of the Prius Aqua hatchback which had trouble to accomodate even a disassembled wheelchair lying flat.
Nice review. I'm looking for a used 2012 to 2014 Prius V.......they are now quite affordable. Only other option is a Golf Sportwagen for similar capacity and comfort and decent gas mileage on the highway, but of course not equal to what the Prius can get in city driving. I hope the person who bought the flashy red one is still enjoying it.....would be fun if you could find them and do a long term test. 🙂
We have both a 2014 Prius II and a 2015 Prius V. Being heavier and having larger wheels, the V has a much better ride on long trips; less wind noise, absorbs bumps better, has a much better road feel in the steering, and is more spacious. It just feels more luxurious. But the II is a great around town car being smaller. Having both is having the best of both worlds. What you failed to show case was the excellent backup camera and sound system options in the V. The software for the sound system comes with upgrades over your phone or scan disk located located at the right bottom front panel. Pretty cool.
First off great review. Secondly they actually make a prius v with a third row, just not in the states. I believe it is called the Prius+ in the UK. It's a 7 passenger with a dual folding third row.
Great practical review, man! Right on!
Noel Marcelo Thanks!
-Greg
Nice review, helpful!
The Prius V aka the Prius Plus in some markets, is a 7 seater, that's why there's so much room in the back, also probably why the seats slide forward and back.
Good Video, they do have 3rd-row seats for non US models for asia and others contents .gorgous kids buddy
Very nice review, thanks!
Toyota has the same car with 7 seats called prius alpha or prius plus...
BTW nice review! :)
Good review, much thanks!
Awesome review. Will be trading in my Tahoe for this. Can't wait.
brianmcg321 that's a smart move!
thanks for watching.
-Greg
I love the last part 👅. Made it fun. I have a Porsche Cayenne S, GT3 RS, Hellcat etc. but the Prius V is a great hybrid wagon 2013 model. Love the soft Tex material, durable and wrinkle free, easy to clean. I use the V for haul my restaurant supplies at time up to 1000lbs. Never let me down. Average MPG 44.2 at 82,000 miles.
I use the power button on the hill side. Toyota should make the interior more quiet, ventilation seats options, plug in for the next model. Definitely I would like to buy the next gen V.
I drove the new Prius and prime. The new Prius drive more like a regular car. Hope they would build the new V the same. 🦅🦅🇺🇸
Great review. Thinking of picking one up with 72,000 miles it’s the V 5 trim level. I wonder why Toyota cancelled?
Enjoyed your review. I own one..like it mostly for fuel economy but would like a taller SUV. 👍👍
I've got 123,000 miles on mine. It is one of the best cars I've ever owned. I use ti to take a large telescope (or 2) and camping gear to dark sites aroudn the country. I sleep in the back, plenty of room if I fold the back seats down and recline the front seats all the way. I sleep with my head at the very back of the car, and my legs dont' mind the slight unevenness over the seats. When I first got ti, the weak acceleration gettgin on highways was terrifying, but either I've gotten used to it, or the car has learned my driving habits (I've read that soem cars do this), but I don't have any problems getting on the highway any more. It easily cruises over 90mph until you hit a long hill, then it struggles a bit. It's very comfortable for long cross-country trips.
I have a 2014 red Toyota Prius V like the one in this video. I bought it so I could drive my husband with Parkinsons to his appointments and his wheelchair fit in the trunk. No mechanical issues so far.
I have been on many tours in my Honda fit. This seems like my next car though!
Thank you for a very good review!!!!
Nice review. Thank you!
+Jim Rowton thanks for watching!
-Greg
To me the reason for the centre instrument panel is so there is little to change between the right and left hand drive versions. You have to relocate the steering wheel and pedals but not all the gauges.
perhaps! Good thoughts.
Yup. I have decided this will be my next car when the time comes.
Very nice reviewed.
Thank for the info. Thump up from me.
You forgot to mention my favorite part and that is the seats in the front sit so much higher than the regular Prius.
We have a 2015 Prius V with every option including the glass roof. We are averaging 50mpg using Sam's Club gas and carrying tools in the storage area behind the 2nd row of seats.
The reason the 2nd row works the way it does is because in every other market that the Prius V is sold in except North America, there is a 3rd row option. If interested in seeing this 3rd row Prius V V here's a review I found ( czcams.com/video/qVJhTcyLkvE/video.html ). The Prius V with a 3rd row was the 1st to receive the newer smaller more efficient battery that wasn't added to any other Prius until the 5th generation. This smaller battery was installed in the center console between the front seats making it easier to access if ever needed to be repaired or replaced.
I really like the unique 3 front seat cup holders in the Prius V: 1 right on top by the mode buttons, 1 hidden below that in a drawer that pulls out reducing that big empty space below the climate controls (yet still leaving a lot of room), and the 3rd on the passenger side which slides out from below the dash air vent. The 2 in the back seat are delicate and if one forgets to close the cupholders they can easily be broken by someone sitting in the back seat especially if they sit in the center seat. In the standard Prius models the rear cupholders are in the center arm rest but due to the fact that the 2nd row seats recline, this could cause any drinks to spill if they're not completely sealed.
The 2nd generation of the Prius V is my favorite Prius. The 1 thing I wish they would have carried over from the 1st generation Prius V is the 3 center vent configuration rather than the 2 center vent configuration. The 3 vents allowed the center one to blow straight to the rear seats to increase the effectiveness of the climate control for the backseat passengers.
Thank you for this video review! I hope you are still enjoying your Prius V!
Do you like 2014 or 2015 prius better. Thx. Great video.
Love our 2013 Prius v
I have a 2014 Prius V and it’s different from what you are displaying. I’m confused. I have the consul with the under access and I have the extra window in the rear hatch which I don’t see in your video. What’s up?
Funny you should bring up third-row seating. In Europe, the Prius+, as this is called, has a forward-facing third row. That’s why your second-row seats recline and slide, why there’s a “valley“ in this one and why there’s a special place to stow the cargo cover.
I believe center instrumentation was introduced with the Echo. The reasoning is safety - you still have some peripheral vision when looking to the side rather than down. You're actually not looking any farther away. Of course, the positioning also helps reduce manufacturing costs for world markets - left/right steering columns.
Bob Boberson Good points...I've never been a fan of it, but you probably get used to it.
Thanks for chiming in!
-Greg
I love mine, space is great for carrying my amps and bass guitars and upright bass.
nice review!
What about power? I actualy have a Prius c , Will a feel any diferencie in power and drivebility?
Hi, what are the cargo measurements with the second row folded down.
I like the Prius Plus ( sold in other markets ) ( is a Prius V ) because it has 7 seats, compared to 5 seats.
6:07. "A big area very LOW" - another smart choice ! On Cmax the area is a high wall with an unnecessarily large stick shift. The design advantage of Prius is obvious ... (!!!)
very informative thank you
Gauges in the middle make right hand drive conversion easier.
Gauges are in the middle of the console to keep down production costs. Right-hand vs left-hand drive is not an issue this way.
That was very helpful. thx
Well done. Like ;-). What I'd have been interested in though: if I take out the front wheel of a mountain bike, can i put it in longside ... like the guitar? Then I'd be able to flip down two seats, put in 3 bikes and 3 people. Is that possible?
Is there a difference between 2012 and 2013 Prius V ?? Are the seats the same as the Prius Or the Prius C because those are not comfortable. I am trying to buy one , but I can’t make a decision between 2012 Prius V five or 2013 Prius V three .. please advise
Its reinforced suspension created a refined driving dynamic that's better than the stock Prius.
Definitely getting a final year Model 4 or 5.
great review
great review!
thanks for watching!
-Greg
I own this model,love it!
I love my 2014 Prius V. It's the perfect car camping vehicle because you don't have to run the engine to keep warm or cool. Lots of room, great gas mileage (I'm getting 47 city, 43 highway on Eco mode), and also very reliable if you change the battery/inverter fan filter regularly, change the oil every 5000 miles with the recommended oil, and change the transmission fluid and coolant every 50,000 to 75,000 miles with Toyota fluids.
Do the back seats fold flat? In this video it looks like they’re still sticking up a bit when he folds them.
The Prius, with that different style shifter reminds me of the Porsche 918. The concept is taken right from the Toyota Prius...check it out.
Nice job!
Great video
mazda cancelled Mazda 5. if Toyota stuck sliding doors on this thing, it would sell like hot cakes.
It's not the sliding doors that made is fail, it's the fact that in the US we didn't get third row seating like the rest of the world. A minivan that gets this kind of mpg would sell big time.
@@laverdadbuscador ... so mazda kneecapped the 5 here... and yoda did that to the V..... greag
Would this be a good car for a shorter person I’m more or less 5’0
This is helpful I might just go buy one!
Samuel Moreno glad to help! thanks for watching.
-Greg
good job, keep it up.
Hmmm,great review but I need to know what the length is between the front seats and the tailgate with the rear seats folded down and the width across the back between the wheel wells. Guess I'll have to go take a test drive.
Maly Nda Sorry I couldn't get detailed enough. Thanks for stopping by!
-Greg
Great review. Love the car.
godfatherNYC thanks for stopping by and for the support.
-Greg