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Nasty Rumor Or The Truth

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by catgic, Apr 25, 2017.

  1. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    I went over to my local Toyota dealer yesterday to check out the newly arrived C-HR. During the chit chat patter with the sales guy during my test drive, he said, "Toyota is gong to stop making the Prius v." When I pressed him for the source of his statement he said, "Because Toyota thinks, that in North America/USA, the Highlander Hybrid fills the same 'Family Hauler Hybrid' niche that the Prius v fills, and Toyota is favoring the Hybrid Highlander over the vee." I am caused to wonder if what he said was sales guy B.S. to try to get me to buy a C-HR or if it was real data about Toyota's future production plans for the NA/US Prius v.

    What say you plugged in Prius vee'er aficinados out there? Is there a Second Generation Prius v coming down the ways for North America/USA at Toyota Town?
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Lots of rumors for a couple of years now. If anything, I would think the Rav4 would be the competitor but the mileage on the Rav4 or Highlander does not come close to the Prius v.
     
  3. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    RJParker - Yes, I have been hearing those same "Rumors" for years. The difference with this sales guy's rumor is that this fellow recently got out of the USMC, and has only been selling cars for two months... so it is a "New Rumor" or possibly a "Retreaded Rumor."

    The Toyota problem is that Toyota's "Corner Office" seems to be making it a point to remain "Officially" mute on this long, years running Prius v "Rumor."

    If you have seen my posts over the years on PriusChat, you know that I am "Bullish" on the Prius v. I quickly dubbed my vee a "Caddie In A Kimono" after I purchased it in 2011. I think Toyota hit the Hybrid "Sweet Spot" (at least my "Sweet Spot") when they built the larger Prius v powered by the same fuel-sipping 1.8-Liter I4 & Power Train (minus the different axle ratio) as the smaller, less "Family & Stuff Hauler, Non-Limousine-esque" Prius sedan.

    My wife does not like either the fuel-swilling RAV4 or Highlander Hybrids, nor do I, and we could not go back to the Prius Sedan after being spoiled by the spacious and versatile fuel-sipping vee. If Toyota decides to pull the Prius v we love and favor from their Prius vehicle line offerings, we would find ourselves faced with a serious dilemma when the time comes to replace my beauteous 2012 "Caddie In A Kimono" Pv5ATP vee.
     
  4. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    How Do you know when the dealer is lying?
     
  5. Sevreth

    Sevreth New Member

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    First time poster here :)

    So when the V came out gas was over $1 more expensive. Sadly people gravitate towards larger SUVs as fuel prices drop and the new Rav4 Hybrid is a compelling option.

    We just bought a 2016 V, and we pick it up today, but we did take a look at a Rav4 hybrid. It does offer a lot more cargo room and space for my wife and I (both taller than 6') along with a comfortable height for driving. That is the main competition for the V. American car culture is "bigger and I NEED 4WD!!" even though you don't really need 4WD and the Prius V is a good ride height. They needed to have all the safety features on the 2017 V, just like the 2017 Prius models, to be competitive. We considered sales figures as we were car shopping and the V has dropped off significantly as gas prices dropped.

    Will the V be discontinued? Who knows. Either way, people don't know what they are missing. Based on our exhaustive research we are getting the best bang for our buck! We ultimately went with the V because it checked all our requirements and offers better mpg. Surprisingly hard to find a car where either of us can sit in front of an infant seat without our knees mashed against the dashboard.

    -Sev
     
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  6. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    Sevreth - All the good things you say about the vee I agree with. The vee's added front and rear seat leg room, and superior seating comfort is why I call our Prius v a "Family Limo & Stuff-Hauler." I am part of the Prius v Vunder Vagon "Biggerness" Fan Club, while it delivers "Stellar High 40s/Low 50s MPG." I specifically DO NOT WANT 4WD/AWD nor the comparative thirstier, gasoline swilling RAV4 or Highlander Hybrids.
     
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  7. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    Rmay635703 - Yes, the sales guy's lips were moving, but the young recently honorably served ex-Marine thought he was telling me what he thought he had recently heard about Toyota pulling the Prius v in the U.S./N.A. I started this thread on the hopes that someone out in Toyota Prius Cyber Space has/had some "Take It To The Bank" definitive information and data about this subject.
     
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  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I heard the same rumor......about the Plug-in, and the Priussy, and even the hatch.

    They're making them now.....in 2017 so who knows?

    Even if they discontinue them before the 2018 season rolls out, you'll be able to get a leftover '17 on sale and it will last you until 2017.....
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortunately, as you said, toyota is not speaking definitively yet, although, iirc, an official or two have thrown the possibility out there.
    your new friend is simply repeating what he heard. you would do him service to enlighten him on the reality of car dealers and sales techniques.
    as for 'toyota's problem', it's actually not their problem, it's ours.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My first thought is that the Highlander is a very different vehicle, I doubt there's anything to it.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the low sales numbers are an mfg concern. rav4h is picking up some speed. unfortunately, we live in a time of suv/cuv popularity.
     
  12. Sevreth

    Sevreth New Member

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    Definitely Bisco. We all will be ready when fuel creeps back up over $3 a gallon and laugh at everyone who bought a new SUV and complains how much they cost to fill.

    What is crazy is that a lot of the CUV and SUV we saw were equivalent in cargo space to the V. People think they need 4WD but the majority don't.

    I actually preferred the Plug-in Prius, despite the less comfortable seats, because of the 11 mile range on EV and my 13 mile commute :) Sadly the Plugin doesn't work with a rear facing infant seat behind either of us because of our height. The V was our compromise but still looking forward to posting serious MPG.

    -Sev
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just changed the rear differential fluid on our duaghter's 4WD, what a lot of fun. I don't think she's ever had it off-road. The thing is a gas pig.
     
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  14. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I like the form factor of the v. I like the MPG of the v. I don't like the noise factor or the CVT. I can live with them locally but recently had to take a 3 hour trip up into the mountains (or what pass for same in NC) and I had previously taken my v there twice. This time took my wife's Avalon. Quiet and didn't create a lot of noise either at 70 MPH or going up the mountains.

    So bring out a quiet driving v with some electronic nannies and quarterly free map updates and I'd buy a v again. No I don't want Android auto or Apple carplay as they require an unlimited data plan and a signal.

    I'm in a quandary.

    Mazda MX5 just got a great review in Motor Trend. but 29 highway MPG not so great. No Mazda dealer for 40 miles. I've gotten used to a Toyota dealer 6 miles away that will drop me back at my house.

    Loaded RAV4h a nice $36k+ vehicle but not the same cargo space, fuelly MPG around 34, and due for a major refresh. 34MPG is only ~20% less than my v. Seemed much quieter than my v. Granted my v has 38k miles on its tires but their tread is still more than 50%.

    I'm waiting another year I guess and then seeing if I can change her plushmobile into a hybrid Avalon or new model RAV4h.
     
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  15. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

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    I'm also waiting to see if they are coming up with a new V. After the disappointing 4th gen looks and the 4 seat only Prime, I am gravitating more towards the V for replacement. If a new one comes out, I'm hoping they will use the Prime as the basis of the V's exterior design.

    But I think Toyota is in tough place. Kia Niro is lodged somewhere between a V and the Toyota CHR hybrid but offers better mpg than the V (probably very near a CHR hybrid mpg), and at a very competitive price. Personally I'd rather skip Kia for Toyota's reliability, but I'm not sure yet how Toyota is going to address this.

    If they offer a new V, they have to make sure it is competitive with the Niro's mpg even if it is larger. If they bring the smaller CHR hybrid over, then it needs to be more efficient than Niro.
     
  16. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I went to the Kia site and they have nice side by side comparisons of 5 competitive offerings. The Kia lacks the "trunk" room I need on a weekly basis. No local dealers either.

    Oddly, they never listed blind spot monitoring as a feature on any of the 5 wagons even though there were lots of other electronic features.

    Once I got away from 20MPG on premium I figure my 42 on regular was enough and I'd rather have a few creature comforts than a few % more MPG. Any money I may save via MPG is so dwarfed by depreciation that it ends up as noise.