Is the Prius v right for us?

I'm a new v owner, less than a week, so while I can't comment on many of your considerations, I would suggest you look a LOT closer at the problems with the CRV. Do a google or youtube search for 2015 CRV vibration and you'll find a ton of information, and a lot of very unhappy owners. We test drove a CRV before making our purchase and the vibration was definitely noticeable. Honda has released a video addressing this concern. We also have a 2011 Fit, our third Honda, and love the cars. But the Prius v definitely satisfied our need for a larger roomier family car. So far we're very pleased.

 

I don't recall any warranty issues caused by having a hitch. Beings how FL is non-CARB you only get 8-yrs and 100k miles for HV battery so chances are you'd be off warranty before the big ticket items fail. But good maintenance record at Toyota dealer is sometimes looked at to give a better deal on big ticket repairs.

Sometimes regular Prius gets dinged for seat comfort on long trips, but I hear v is generally better.

P.S.- When comparing vehicles, be careful looking at cargo space specs...a couple years ago in the USA we changed to a new spec called EPA Cargo Space which seems to give manufacturers freedom to claim space in funny ways. Sometimes when I compare cargo space I go to Canada or Europe sites to get better idea.

 

You may have gear left over from the Expedition: the Torklift EcoHitch comes in 2 inch and 1 1/4 inch receivers so whichever you have you can keep using them.
Torklift Central | 2012-2015 Toyota Prius v EcoHitch - Prius - Toyota - Find Your EcoHitch® - Trailer Hitch and Towing

 

In the US, the manufacturer, in this case Toyota, has to prove that your modification caused the defect, not their assembly work. So if the metal is all torn where the hitch is, they will have a case, but if you use it so that there are no obvious failure at the hitch, they will not be able to PROVE that the headlights going out all the time is your fault. You are not even towing, just carrying 4 bikes, proving that that damaged the windshield wipers will be hard. I would not worry about it until you start buying solid gold bicycles.
Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My sister towed this tiny motorcycle trailer about 12,000 miles:

 

Long trips are ok in a v. Depends on your height to some degree especially if you would have a passenger behind a tall driver. Actually the rear seats are nice with decent legroom and recline. Apparently 2015 has a power seat option, that might help. The phone app integration is bluetooth only except for the built-in apps of Entune like Bing, Pandora and Traffic, etc. Nissan is the only one of your three that feeds your apps directly. That said, the built-in XM and navigation will generally take care of you. Let's face it, you will never find a highway ride or storage capacity like a big truck based vehicle in a car that gets 40 miles per gallon. I would consider renting one for the weekend and drive four hours somewhere and back.

Entune details: Toyota Prius Entune® | Prius In-Car Technology - GPS, Hands-Free Phone, Apps and Data Most Android based phones can connect Entune with Bluetooth, most IPhones are plugged in to work Entune although they bluetooth audio fine.

 

Hertz rents them as well as these Toyota dealers

 

As a new owner of a Subaru Outback (Limited trim), I would add that to the list. The CRV and Prius v were both on my finalist list but the safety features/tech of the OB won out in the end. The 2.5 engine is trailer rated for 1500lbs.

 

Yeah, a matching trim in the v was a Five with all options @ $35k-ish. The base 2.5 OB is in your price range but I would strongly suggest a test drive with the eye-sight option. It was an eye opening experience (pun not intended).

 

As was already alluded to, there is no such thing as "voiding the warranty". So stop worrying about it. As long as you don't install the hitch on the hood of the car.

 

I never got around to the hitch and bike rack, but given our weather, it hasn't mattered much. We've done several long trips in the v, and frankly, it's better on those than around town. Especially so when we leave Vermont's nasty roads behind. Your gas mileage should also be quite a bit better than here, without the hills, headwinds and cold weather.

Your list has two vehicles I don't like at all. My choices for a cargo-room vehicle trimmed down to a Mazda CX-5 and the Rav 4, and the v. The Subaru was a contender too, but I detest the dealer here. For you, the AWD would be a waste. The cargo room and drivability of the Mazda are superb. The mpg from the front-wheel drive CX5 is very good as well.

It would come down to gas mileage, dealer support, and what you like to drive. The Mazda was surprisingly fun to drive. Great handling, comfortable, extremely roomy. I would have gotten the engine upgrade back when I was looking. No longer an issue for the 2015 model, which IMO, is head and heels better than any smaller CUV. Frankly, it might be our next car if we don't get another sedan to replace the hybrid Camry. It's really too bad that Toyota can't build anything this fun to drive.

With the exception of gas mileage, I can't think of anything I like better about my v than the Mazda. (some regrets)

 

We own a 2015 v four. We were debating to get a sienna or the "v" and we choose the "v" because of the mpg and interior space. We look at it like buying a mini van with more mpg. It has more room then our 2004 Lexus GX470! Price wise they are about the same. (Sienna and v)

So for a cycles family I think it will work out fine. It is very practical. You have all the room you would need for equipment and comfortable enough for four. But just remember you will be limited if you decide to take it for major camping trips or mountains. Due to lack of power and front wheel drive.

My thoughts about the "v":

Pros: Ride is smooth and handle like a small sedan and not the typical wagon boat feeling. Dashboard lay out is user friendly. Seats is comfortable but interior feel a little cheap then what I am use to. Overall the car drives fine like any new car.

The Cons: the Prius is scary on highway. It get push around by trucks or anything that is speeding by. You can really feel the pull. Even in windy driving condition. So prepare to hang on to the steering wheel. The oem halogen headlights are horrible. I end up putting in Xenodepo Phillips HID kit. Big improvement and a nice cut off. So they weren't too bad. It does lack a bit of HP but there is a mode called "PWR mode", power mode. It helps a bit to speed up but it's still a Prius.

 

Ford c Max? More power, larger cargo area, less mpg...

 

The C-MAX is a lot more fun to drive, in terms of handling and power. But the v has 40% more cargo space with the rear seats up.

The rear seat room in the v is also larger than the C-Max.