Test drive of Prius v / 5 today

Will the dealership rent you one? Our Toyota dealer rents all models. I plan to rent a v from them when I take my '07 RAV4 in for 45K service soon. When you're in for a major service like that they'll rent any car to you for $25/day.

 

I just had my v model 2 @ the Danville dealer for the 5K service. All went well. I bought the car elsewhere, so my first and only Danville experience was fine. We've had our car for about 5 months and made a trip from Urbana to DC, about 750 miles one way. Comfy, economical, and plenty of room. I am not as statuesque as you. I make many cross country trips from Illinois to Tucson and my previous car was an Accord. I like the Prius better. I also wanted to invest in the next generation of fuel economy, so I don't stress too much about the spongy response when in the ECO mode. I got used to it. I am about to turn 60 so maybe driving a bit slower with greater economy is more of a buzz than being laid back my seat back (maybe it speaks more about my bank account/or lack there of). It may be sad, but true. I also like the idea that maybe this is better for the earth. I am not exactly a car nut or aficionado, but I like this car. It's quieter on the road than any other car I've owned. My brother turned me on to the car, but then turned around and recently bought a Jetta TDI. He's reluctant to give up the manual trans and response.

 

I bought a '12 Prius plug in Advanced. It comes with the 8-way power drivers seat. I too am 6'6" and quite heavy. The power seat really gives you much more leg room and adjustment. I drove a base model and the manual seat was a deal breaker. Couldn't fit. Do they offer the driver's side power seat as an option on the Prius v?. Try one and see how that works for you. I've put 2K on my PIP now and couldn't be happier.

 

Did you try the "POWER" setting? Think aircraft carrier catapult launch...

 

In the end, different people are going to make different choices based on different experiences, expectations and needs. Good luck with your search. Seems like you are approaching it by doing research and then trying the "qualifiers" which is exactly the way I went about it.


My reasoning went something like this:

Subaru - no dealer anywhere near me and 50 miles away just had no appeal. I sold my Porsche for partly that reason.

BMW - ditto

Ford c-max - cargo area too small, MPG questionable, new to the hybrid world, dealer close, more HP

RAV4, CRV etc - I got about 20 MPG on my CRV and the one I had was in perfect shape, why bother.

Prius v - dealer close, not new tech to the mechanics, son's experience with hatchback excellent, kinda different, MPG promising, regular gas, interior storage cubbies galore, technology kinda fun to replace the Porsche's different fun, I seemed to fit, it seemed fast enough (I had driven cars with lots less HP in the '60s), seemed quiet (compared to the CRV with very aggressive rain/snow tires. As it turns out, I wouldn't say the v is quiet especially on concrete. My test run was over new asphalt. Fooled me.), my 6'5" 300lbs son can fit (barely). Since the wife has an Avalon, this is really 97% my car and it was time.

3500+ miles later how do I feel about it. I like it. I would make a dozen little changes but then I never saw a car I didn't feel could be improved. But on the major functions, it just works. I've been surprised how (at age 69) it now seems like just a car and I drive it that way. ECO mode and just drive it with little thought to getting the last MPG out of it. In the beginning I was hyper-conscious of the gauges, now they are largely ignored. At your height, I'd be paying attention to the seating. The center console allows splayed legs that way. Can't say I've ever had contact on the door side but then I'm only 6'.

Curious what you ultimately come up with.

 

FWIW, the driver seat does have a height adjustment lever near the recline lever. Check for it when you do your extended test drive.

I seriously considered a Jetta Sportwagen TDI...I prefer driving a manual so the 6-speed was appealing. Plus you can get a fully-loaded Sportwagen for about what a v3 would run you. But I don't have a lot of faith in VW reliability still. Also in my area diesel costs as much as premium unleaded which erodes any cost savings, and even "clean diesel" is not as clean as hybrid in terms of emissions.

 

I love your avatar. Bubs FTW.

FWIW, I'm very happy with my v5. We rarely drive our '10 4Runner or '05 MINI now because the v is such a great all arounder.

 

Yep...I still feel that buying a hybrid or a diesel or a plug-in JUST to either save money on gas or to be friendlier to the environment is a losing proposition. But, if you're already going to buy a car either way, then its worth considering if there are hybrid/PHEV/diesels that happen fit your shopping criteria for size/body type/price.