Prius vs other Toyota hybrids

RAV4 Hybrid definitely seems to fill some of the expectations of what people would have of a Prius SUV, but doesn't it still go a bit against the "philosophy" of the Prius (fuel economy above everything else)? It seems to me that with even the new RAV4 Hybird Toyota targets the regular compact SUV buyer who does not necessarily have fuel economy as a strong priority. Even if the new RAV4 Hybrid achieves the Prius V mileage, wouldn't the same drivetrain applied to a smaller vehicle still appeal to some people who see RAV4 as overly large and heavy?

A Prius SUV would probably aim at the people who value fuel economy very high, but also want a higher ground clearance than Prius V, as well as an AWD option. If this is what Toyota is trying to do, judging from the links (and from how the vehicle looks), then perhaps, indeed, we will see a new, larger Prius (Prius L?) soon.

 

This is my main concern, really. I am not terribly picky in terms of comfort, I am young and sporty and can easily handle average-comfort rides - but with that said, 1-2 week long trips are probably going to be much more enjoyable in a more comfortable car such as the Camry or the Avalon, than the Prius. If the question is "Would the Prius do?", the answer is definitely "yes"; if the question is "Would I enjoy it long-term?", then the answer is much less certain.

Ride, seat comfort and noise levels are my only reasons for considering Camry and Avalon, rather than jumping straight at the Prius. The Prius really excites me in how it is designed, in how it looks both from the inside and the outside, it has a definitive futuristic vibe. But I can't help but think that perhaps a more traditional comfortable sedan will make me more satisfied long-term. And, of course, it is far superior in terms of cargo holding and camping utility.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! I understand very well now the upsides and the downsides of the considered models. Prius V is at the top of my shopping list, followed closely by Avalon Hybrid, then the regular Prius and Camry hybrid tied for the 3rd place. In the end, it all depends on what offers are available on used models. Will let you all know what I end up picking.

 

I am looking into buying one of the used cars, tentatively from 2013 to 2016. For Prii specifically, there are decent deals on the 2016 models, albeit I wouldn't particularly mind a Gen 3 Prius either (and to be frank, I like the look of the regular Gen 3 Prii quite a bit more than the Gen 4 version ).

I plan to do some test driving, but not necessarily for every single car from the list. As long as I've test driven a regular Prius, a Prius V and one of the hybrid sedans, I think I will have a decent grasp on which I prefer. Hoping to get a Camry for a 1,500 mile drive in early December.

I wonder if it is possible to buy the Canadian 2018 Prius V from the US. As far as I understand, a car needs only to satisfy certain standards, such as the emission standard, to be purchaseable by a US resident?