mini drive and mini review of v Three

Lucky me .. I got to test drive a v Three! Not planning to buy, but I sure like to check out new hardware.

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1 mile at start of test drive. We drove it to 7 miles.
I didn't reset the trip MPG gage, but it read 32.7 MPG at 7 miles. Went couple miles on freeway and back
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Knowing the v's were to arrive, I stopped by Piercey Toyota, Milpitas. Sure enough, there's a beautiful v Five in the showroom. First thought is, wow, it's bigger than I thought! You'll do a double take seeing it from outside the first time too. Silver with dark gray inside. 17" wheels, LED headlamps, foglights.

The Softex seats are nice. Driver's bottom seat bolsters are a little firmer than the regular Prius, so it feels more supportive. More roomy in the front and I really like the open space between the center console and dash (no floating bridge/waterfall console).

Larger rear view in v since there is no spoiler which splits rear view in the Gen II and III Prius.

So my salesman from 2008 offers to pull one out for a test drive. Hey, I'm game. He pulls up a v Three.

The new display is really sharp. Few different colors like green, and I think light blue or white. Much sharper than the monotone pale green on 2010 (which looks like it's from an '80s PC).

You sit up higher in the new v. Little more commanding view of the road. It feels better than the non Five 2010 when turning corners (I don't know how the 2011 Five feels). More composed feel in the suspension in the v than 2011 non-Five model.

You'll appreciate the open center console. More room for my knees. When I put the cruise control on the regular Prius, my knees bump the hard plastic of the center console. I like a little more space. The v gives it.

I like the new auto climate control button/knob of v. Push the button to start auto A/C, turn the knob to adjust temp up or down. Nice.

The center console lid opens to the side for storing CDs and stuff. USB port is in front of the open storage area and has a tray for iPods and smart phones.

I liked the pickup when merging on the freeway. We had to go a bit uphill after a sharp U-turn and it did fine coming up to 60 MPH.

The rear seats are a real treat in the v. Quite a bit of legroom and headroom back there. Reclining rear seats are sweet. Cargo room with rear seats up is notably larger than 2010 Prius. You could put the 3 big suitcases in the v.

And what a sharp looking car! The front, sides, back. It's all good. They did a great job on the exterior and interior design.

This v Three was stickered at just a little over $28k with the floor and cargo mats.

This size and format of car is rare, but seems so practical for 5 and cargo. Two others that come to mind are the Mazda 5 and VW Jetta Sportwagen. But this v is so far ahead in technology, the others pale.

Check it out!

 

Oh yeah, that would be nice!

Hey, another benefit of the v ..... larger rear view!

Hey, aren't all the 2012 Prii supposed to get the 'noisemaker'? I just didn't notice it when he pulled up. I sure didn't notice it when driving, which is good

 

**** Brake pedal to bottom of steering wheel distance, max, is ..... 26.25" in Prius v !!!

Woohoo, that's good!!!!! It's an inch more than the Prius which is 25.25".

The ergos feel a lot better in v for a tall, 6'2" guy with looong legs like me (35" inseam).

I've been driving 2011 Prius ... again, and I have no regrets not buying it. It's just too darn cramped for me. But, if they brought the wheel closer and made open space in front of center armrest console, it would be much better. It's showing 56 MPG all day.

 

I think the Softex seat material is more grippy than leather. Feels good to me. Much easier to clean than fabric. I hope the Softex is very durable.

 

Less of an issue in Prii, because the roof curves up over driver's head. I was in 2011 Prius with sunroof for a day and was fine. It had more headroom than Camry with sunroof, for me. I just have trouble with legs fitting in 3rd Gen Prius. The steering wheel is so close to the floating bridge console. Solved with v.

 

IoW ??? I forgot.

No, but I would get a v Five any day.

 

Ok, so you've heard the 'noisemaker'.

I didn't even notice it as Sam pulled up the v. I was bowled over by looking at it!

 

Oh that. Sorry I put you off

3rd Gen not going to happen for me. I have the Accord and an old pickup, but my goal is to get down to 1 vehicle, eventually. Practicality of v will do fine. Could barely get all my drumset in 3rd Gen anyway.
3rd Gen's a great car, including Five and its 17s and I like seeing them on the road.

Hmmm, don't know about Thai

 

1) Looks good to me! Function over form, buy oh my that form looks good!

2) There's a 27.2k price tag!

3) Interior seating 'most improved' for driver too!!!!!!!!!

4) Hmmmm???

5) Make that 8 MPG.

... and v stands a wayyyy better chance of snagging the family of 5 going on vacation from a Camry/Accord/Fusion/Altima/Sonata than 3rd Gen (unless your kids are small and you travel pretty light).... most people are not bent on 50 MPG. Americans are big, they need space.
Look around on the road, look at the consistent, top selling cars. Those listed are always in top 10. 3rd Gen is about #15 and that is not including trucks and SUVs. But, good job Prius, it brought things a long way!

 

But not like any 'ol station wagon ... Chevy Caprice wagon (Barf!!!), Accord wagon, the hearse at the mortuary (My niece said ... Acura TSX Sportwagon reminds her of a hearse).

No. Prius v is modern and sleek!!