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Buy Prius or Prius v

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Lotus3333, Apr 17, 2018.

  1. Lotus3333

    Lotus3333 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    This will be my first Prius and I'm not sure which one to buy. I've never owned a hybrid before so this is fairly new to me. I know they don't act like a full gas vehicle and I accept that. However, I do travel a lot and do like to know that I can throw a air mattress in the back to sleep when I'm on the road. I tried sleeping in my Ford Escape and it was brutal for sleeping and the mileage is just as brutal. Never again. I like to know if I can sleep in a Prius hatchback just as comfortable as Prius v. The v is heavier and more expensive so I'm trying to figure out my best choice. I do have the dealership physically measuring the back cargo of both cars to help me out with a decision.

    1) which one gets better gas mileage?
    2) does the Prius have better acceleration and faster on take off then the Prius V? because its lighter? I ask cause I will miss my zip and speed of my Ford, but I know not to compare. Just asking.
    3) does the front and cargo charging plugs work when the key is off or just when the key is on?
    4) how are the prius in snow storms, I live in northern Canada, I understand the right tires are important and driving to the conditions, but does it have good control on slush and snowy roads.
    5) I was fogged up pretty good in the test drive yesterday and it appeared to take a very very long time (30mins on defrost strictly and it was just humidity not snowy frost) for the back side windows to defrost. any thoughts on that? a issue? I wasn't impressed with that.

    This is a big decisions for me. My car is pretty much my house. Not that I live in it but I do a lot of road trips with a lot of friends often. I want to be comfortable and be able to sleep in it for a option. I am not by no means need all the techy gadgets in the car. I use my iPhone likely only 30% of its capacity so I expect the car to be the same. Just above basics is good.

    Any thoughts to help steer me right would be appreciated. I know its ultimately my decisions but just thought I would jump on here and get some thoughts. Thank You.
     
    #1 Lotus3333, Apr 17, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 17, 2018
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  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Hi and welcome to PriusChat!

    1. The Prius will get better mileage. The current generation (2018) was launched in 2016 and it's the 4th iteration. It has the latest chassis and engine setup. City driving (e.g. Toronto or Vancouver crawling at 20-30km/h) will net near 5.0L/100km (lower in the summer, higher in the winter depending on temperature and heater use). Medium speed (e.g. from suburb to downtown) at 50-80km/h speeds will net you as low as 3.6L/100km in the summer. Driving at 110-120km/h will net you around 4.6-4.7L/100km. The Prius v has the hybrid system based on the last generation Prius. In addition to its less aerodynamic bodyshape, heavier curb weight and shorter final drive ratio, the mileage will be lower (expect around 5-6L/100km in the summer).
    2. Yes. It's about a second faster to 100km/h. The current generation has a tuned electric motor to give more oomph from 0-30km/h so it will definitely feel peppier at city speeds.
    3. Only when the car is in IG-ON or READY mode (i.e. On or with the car running)
    4. My Gen 3 handled fine. I ran Nokian R winter tires. But it was in prairie snow. Nrn Ontario snow may be different. (and definitely maritime or Vancouver/Victoria slush is different).
    5. Check the settings of the climate control. There are various ways for the car to reduce consumption and those may have been on while you were test driving. One of them is the ECO Heat/Cool button (that turns on the Eco mode for the climate control). This limits the max A/C compressor power to reduce electricity consumption (and as a result, may take longer to heat/cool the car... and I guess in your case, defrost). The other is S-Flow which limits the amount of airflow coming out of the passenger side air vents or both air vents depending on the number of occupants in the car. That being said, the rear side windows, even on my Gen 3, can take a while.

    The Prius v will definitely be able to fit an air mattress as it is a longer vehicle. However, you'll have to lie down in both and decide which will work. Keep in mind that the Prius has two different cargo capacities. The Technology with Advanced Package will have no spare tire and thus a lower cargo floor which may be uncomfortable if you're sleeping in it. The Prius v will have a flat floor from cargo to rear seat.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Apr 17, 2018
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    why prius?

    the good thing is you can sleep in it with heat and air conditioning without the engine running constantly.
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 17, 2018
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Welcome to PriusChat!

    1) which one gets better gas mileage?

    A gen 3 Prius will have about 8 to 10 better MPG than a v. The gen 4 is about another 4 MPG higher yet.

    2) does the Prius have better acceleration and faster on take off then the Prius V? because its lighter? I ask cause I will miss my zip and speed of my Ford, but I know not to compare. Just asking.

    Prius v
    C/D TEST RESULTS:
    Zero to 60 mph: 10.3 sec
    Zero to 100 mph: 34.0 sec
    Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 10.7 sec
    Top gear, 30-50 mph: 5.0 sec
    Top gear, 50-70 mph: 7.2 sec
    Standing ¼-mile: 17.8 sec @ 78 mph
    Top speed (governor limited): 104 mph

    Gen 4 Prius
    C/D TEST RESULTS:
    Zero to 60 mph: 10.5 sec
    Zero to 100 mph: 30.6 sec
    Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 10.3 sec
    Top gear, 30-50 mph: 4.7 sec
    Top gear, 50-70 mph: 7.1 sec
    Standing ¼-mile: 17.8 sec @ 79 mph
    Top speed (drag limited): 114 mph

    3) does the front and cargo charging plugs work when the key is off or just when the key is on?
    Just when the power is on (no key), but you can run all night on very little gas.

    I live in Mississippi, so I have no experience with 4 or 5.

    Here is a picture of my v with 96 10 by 10 inch cheesecakes, as you can see the load florr os almost flat.

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Apr 17, 2018
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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Gen 4 is slower than the Gen 3?

    huh... oops. Ignore my statement then. Sorry. I really thought the Prius v was slower.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Apr 17, 2018
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    i could not find a Gen 3 road test on Car and Driver, sorry.

    The change in final drive gearing makes the v have similar acceleration to 70 MPH, but lowers top speed and lowers MPG.

    Few Prius v drivers should miss going only 103 instead of 115 MPH.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Apr 17, 2018
  7. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Motortrend got 9.7 0-60 for the, 2016
     
    #7 Aaron Vitolins, Apr 18, 2018
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  8. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    Three
    #8 Sooner Al, Apr 18, 2018
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  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    @Tideland said "The Prius v will have a flat floor from cargo to rear seat."

    Does v have a flat floor with seats down? I am thinking some v's do not, but not sure all model years.

    Gen4 *with* spare has level floor with seats down. Gen4 *without* spare some use an insert to make floor level.

    Gen2/3 had level floor with seats down.

    In general Prius is handy for doubling as camper.
     
    #9 wjtracy, Apr 18, 2018
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  10. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I originally wanted a v for the extra headroom, cargo space and comfort while on road trips. Like the OP, I like to take road trips and will nap in the car.

    The v's wider back end and longer cargo area comes in handy when sleeping inside. I have a standard hatchback, and my tri fold mattress could use a few more inches of interior space. And while I'm not tall, I wish there was a bit headroom, especially coming from a Scion xB. The v also has better rear visibility, something I really could use on my hatchback.

    As per CR's review on the v..."the electric motor and engine have to work fairly hard, especially when the car is loaded with cargo." So, the hatchback will have more pep and better mpg. I'm very happy with my 53-55 mpg on my hatchback, something nearly impossible to do on the v (as per fuelly).

    I would have preferred to have purchased a v at the time, but the selection to choose from was always sparse when I looked, probably because the new sales were also low.
     
    #10 MelonPrius, Apr 18, 2018
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  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's been a while since I've sat in a v so I'm referring to this photo I took in 2011.

    DSCN6260.jpg
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Apr 18, 2018
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  12. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    #12 Sooner Al, Apr 19, 2018
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  13. tpenny67

    tpenny67 Active Member

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    I'd take those numbers with a grain of salt, as the 5-60 "rolling acceleration" (which is the more realistic number for normal driving) is slower than the 0-60 for the v, as it is for most cars. Here's why:

    Most magazines test 0-60 as if you're launching at a drag strip, and that means brake and gas both fully applied (power braking) at a dead stop, and the brake is released when the light goes green. It means you launch with the ICE already at full revs, and in a car with a normal automatic it also means the torque converter is already up to full stall speed. The rolling acceleration number is more realistic in that it starts from idle.

    The Gen4 is the odd car that doesn't show an advantage from such hoonery. Perhaps it's "smart" enough not to start the ICE when power braking?
     
    #13 tpenny67, Apr 19, 2018
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Could be Toyota's Smart Stop Technology
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Apr 19, 2018
  15. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I know the Prius V is not offered as a 2018 model in the U.S., not sure about Canada, so if you are looking for a new one....
     
    #15 Munpot42, Apr 24, 2018
  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I believe @Tideland Prius said it is still available in Canada. I believe I read that US and Puerto Rico were dropping it.
     
    #16 Prodigyplace, Apr 25, 2018
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