Prius v vs. Prime vs. ???

Both I and my sister have a 2012 v Three, mine has been very reliable for the 102,500 miles I have owned it. It is a station wagon and not really exciting.

I use it as a cargo hauler, it has lots of room back there. when I do put the rear seats up, 5 people is easy. If I drove it less weighted down, I would get more than 38.8 MPG, but I need all that stuff.

The roof feels entirely without sound deadening, acorns will sound like gun shots.

I am very happy with my v compared to my Gen 2 like yours, cargo was way more cramped in the Gen 2 (see avatar)
I can 'scratch' the tires accelerating, it does not feel slow between 0 and 40 MPH. Above 40 it is similar to Gen 2.

 

Boring? Yes.

Utility? Yes.

Seats 4 adults even if 2 are over 6'4" in the back seats? Yes.
3 grandkids in the back seats? Yes.
Enough stuff for 4 to the beach for a week? Yes.
Reliable? Mine has been.

Daughter-in-law just bought one. 3 Prius in the family.

Great buys used off leases, BTW.

I compiled a list of 26 "likes" and 37 "dislikes" here.

It all depends on what you are looking for.

 

why are you not considering the new lift back? v and prime are apples and oranges.

 

Subaru has a huge problem with head gaskets leaking after short mileage amounts. That's why their warranty is so short. The forester uses two heads like the aircooled VW or porche design from WWII. Rather than redesign they just shortened the warranty. Just be advised.

I love the V and added a strut tower bar, rear sway bar and chassis brace, along with high quality tires, and find it fun to drive. Just finished a 2000+ mile road trip with my wife, 2 year old daughter and mother in law, and had enough space with a car top carrier for all our stuff for two weeks of fun. I also love to go camping and haul a lot of stuff when I do. It is slower when loaded, but mostly at highway speeds. Off the line the electric motor gives it plenty of get up and go, and the improved handling with the after market bits makes it handle great in spirited driving.


iPhone ?

 

who's timberland?

 

Cell phone auto correct for @Tideland Prius ?

I know my iPhone comes up with some winners from time to time .

 

It is hard to ignore the storage space in a v.

OP states when he hauls he hauls lots of stuff.

I think that is the deciding factor.

Engine noise....not much you can do even with sound proofing material IMO.
Driving boredom....as mentioned above there are options to increase a v handling.
Prime as sporty car with driving excitement....I can't comment + or - on that.

FWIW we like our v and it drives, accelerates, handles well enough at legal speeds and is comfortable.

Good luck in your decision.

 

congrats, well done!

 

Congrats! Good choice, BTW