Thinking of 2012 Prius v but need advice

You can get 450 miles range without trying hard. That's 724 km.

 

Mine has varied a lot depending on conditions. You might want to assume 5mpg under what the hatchback would get. Keep in mind that ANY of the Gen-3 models can get you better MPG than you get with your Gen-2. My range has been 440-520 miles per fill. You can see anyone's records by following the Fuelly links in their signature.

 

I am of the 'just drive it' camp, and I get about 400 miles per fill up, and just over 40 MPG. If you need a station wagon, none is more frugal. If you don't need a station wagon, you can do 10 MPG better with a Liftback.

 

Compared to a Gen 2 the tank really is 11.9 and the gas gauge really works, so you can use more of the tank It gets about 5 MPG less than a Gen 2

 

350 is way more than half of 400.

400 miles /10 gallons = 40 MPG

350 miles / 7.8 gallons = 45 MPG

 

Yes, your MPG may have been better the last two years.

I always suggest just replacing the battery if it need jumped even once.

Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + , Prius V & Plug-in Prius with Instructions

 

OK I switched my fuelly to use kms and liters. Here are the last 10 tanks:

Code:

Date	 kms  Litres  km/L Price
 
11/26/13 616.4 38.48 16.0 0.827
 
11/20/13 614.8 35.47 17.3 0.753
 
11/12/13 675.9 38.49 17.6 0.745
 
11/5/13 640.5 36.02 17.8 0.768
 
11/2/13 638.9 37.88 16.9 0.827
 
10/30/13 647.0 37.46 17.3 0.768
 
10/25/13 680.8 39.10 17.4 0.779
 
10/17/13 721.0 39.64 18.2 0.798
 
10/12/13 614.8 34.50 17.8 0.819
 
10/7/13 574.5 33.87 17.0 0.798

 

I'm with Jimbo. Great wagon with mileage. There are better/bigger wagons. And better mileage cars. But I haven't been able to find a better combination of both utility and fuel use or I'd have bought something else.

Wander over to fuelly.com and set the display to your preferred units. You'll get real world numbers and see just how good and bad fuel use can be for any car you might be interested in. You'll be amazed at the spread for the same car. Even conditions change things immensely. Then run a spreadsheet comparing your cost to buy or lease and the costs for fuel over whatever period you choose for your current car and any planned new one. I even set fuel to become more expensive in the out years.

No matter the mileage, the cheapest car in the short term is the one you have now. But with the change in family, your needs can change. And that car is getting on.

Only you can figure out what is most important to your situation when utility and finances intersect.

 

It has some unique feature as it is inside the passenger compartment with your loved ones.
It is AGM, so it has very little free battery acid. (good if there is a wreck)
VRLA battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It is externally vented so neither Hydrogen gas nor Sulfuric acid mist build up pressure in the battery if things go wrong.

Additionally it is sized small as it never starts the engine, and has odd posts more often found in Japan. (JIS vs SAE in the US)

 

My Prius V reports I have about a 450 mile range. But I'd recommend no one let their tank routinely go to Empty due to the trash that can accumulate over the years at the bottom of the gas tank. 450 miles is a non-issue. Most cars will be way less than that. If you really need more, Ford C-Max has a 600 mile range or 620 in the Energi model.