Teaser image of the Prius v addition to the Prius family

The V looks more like 3" longer 5" at the most, certainly nowhere near 12-14" longer. The Highlander is 13.2" longer. The Venza is 13.4" longer. The Prius V looks nowhere near the length of a Highlander or a Venza. Mazda 5 is 5.9" longer than the Prius and even then it still looks longer than the Prius V.
The perfect Prius for me would be the Prius V Five PHEV with 25 mile range and 70MPH EV top speed with advanced technology that also include attention monitor, more accurate LKA, PCS that actually stops the car before it hits the object, blind spot intervention, sun roof with solar and gets combined 50MPG after PHEV batteries have exhausted. Ohh and 0-60 in 8 seconds, nothing fast but respectable.

 

OK Doug, I'l bite. If it isn't a "mini van" (a term not used in Australia) what is it?

I suspect it is a station wagon variant of the Prius. What is the new name for station wagon now, is it MPV or multi purpose vehicle? Funny but my Prius already serves many purposes, like transport for me, my stuff and my friends, a home when I go traveling alone on the cheap and a race car when I feel like racing.

 

I'm more interested to see what the "C" model is going to look like. I've always been a fan of small cars, especially sporty ones like the Honda CR-X and Del Sol. I'd love to see a small sports car with the Hybrid Synergy Drive, even better with a plug-in option.

The Honda CR-Z came close, but the IMA isn't very suitable for becoming a plug-in. (yes, I know it can be done, but with too many limitations) And traded in my 2010 Insight for a Prius for the sole reason of putting a plug-in kit in there.

 

They even started a special website
http://toyotapriusprojects.com/

 

Pity, that.

Love my Mazda5, so I guess it'll be a new one of those or a Grand C-Max.

Of course, if the "V" some how becomes a plug-in, we'll talk.

 

Who cares what it's called? From the spy shots, it seems to be in the Grand C-Max/Mazda5/Kia Rondo/Honda Stream/Toyota Wish/Mitsubishi Expo (for those who remember) euro-MPV style size range and that is really the PERFECT size. We need more vehicles that size in the USA.

The important stuff is how usefully/cleverly the interior is packaged. A poorly designed interior space can waste room inside of even very large vehicles. Toyota, if you're listening, please don't put in a giant center console that robs all the driver's knee room like you did with the Scion xB - a car with an otherwise very well packaged interior (but mediocre fuel economy).

And of course the other important thing is MPG. Because all those vehicles I mentioned don't get very good MPG, and that is really their downfall. This is an area where the Prius V could really be a game changer.

 

In the US, the station wagon is termed a crossover by marketing genius.

The Mazda 5 can barely called a mini-minivan, basically it is a tall wagon in the Asian market. The Prius V will be the same as it is 4.2" taller than the Prius.

 

And that term "crossover" can mean anything from a Matrix to an Accord Crosstour. So it is pretty meaningless. I vote we stop using these genius marketing terms and start using actual numbers to describe vehicles. Important numbers like curb weight, MPG, wheelbase, height, length, etc. Maybe then we can get a better idea of what we are talking about.

So, Prius 58.7 tall + 4.2 = Prius V 62.9 (63") tall. That's a good height. About the same as the old Mitsubishi Expo and the current Scion xB. The Mazda5 is about an inch taller.

Where did you get this spec? Do you have any more?

 

Sliding rear doors on a Prius would rock it. I debated for a while between a prius and a mazda5 but ultimately chose prius for mpg's. Blend the two and you're starting to hit the sweet spot.

(fwiw, I do carry around a few midgets).

 

Prius hatchback 175.6" L x 68.7" W x 58.3" H
Prius V ............180.7" L x 69.7" W x 62.4" H
Mazda 5 ..........181.5" L x 69.1" W x 64.2" H

 

Quick question. With the new V and C names along with previous auto show prototypes, especially the blue prius shown in Geneva, its getting really confusing to keep track of what car is which prototype. Is Toyota planning on introducing the blue four door "X" roof prius with the headlights part of the dash and if so which is it the V or C?
Many thanks!

 

There is a market for people that love the Mazda 5. Hell all mini-vans today AIN'T MINI ANYMORE THey are huge (Sienna, Odyssey, T&C etc).

This is a great move, a cheaper van with great MPG. Vans are maybe the most rational and SENSIBLE car purchase, surely this new Prius will offer tons of storage space and room. Maybe even 3 row seating.

It is going to be a hit, even with a lower MPG rating.

 

Taxi!

Just saying.

 

It's because it has no doors. Lighter, saves money, stronger without doors.

 

It should to be more popular than Escape Hybrid.

 

I don't think I've ever payed any attention to the mazda5 but I did see one earlier today. My first thought was it looked like a supersized hatchback.

I'm not too fond of the third row. I remember having to sit in a third row before and I had no leg room at all. I had to lay across the seats to be comfortable. I'd like to check out the interior of the mazda 5 in person.

I wish they would release the info already instead of January. We really want a new car before the new year and this new V or alpha is enticing. Dang you Toyota!

iPhone ?