Understand the OP's desire for the "right" car. I was going to "settle" on a 2011 with the light grey interior that I was less than happy with. Knowing myself, I knew that I would be happier with the dark grey interior. In the end after a lowball trade (and lies about it) from Koons Tyson Toyota, they sent me packing to Carmax Laurel Toyota and my loved 2012 P2 in Winter Grey and dark grey interior for just a $1000 more than the 2011 P2 with light grey interior in Bizzard Pearl. We each have exterior colors that we either love or hate. I knew that after my Baja that black was not an option. For me it was the interior color. No way was I going bisque. LOL
The only region that orders the v in plain white in all three trim levels is the one on east coast that the CT dealership is in. Some regions in te USA (there are 15?) do not even order a v in plain white - only pearl white. In my SoCal region, we order the II and III available in both whites and the v V in pearl white only. We also did not order the wagons with misty gray interior at all till last month. And, the misty cars we do have coming as a region are a skinny little percentage of all interiors! Each area of the country requests things that work for THEM... and their buyers.
Dianne, good explaination, but can you give a short breakdown of why regions or people want a certain interior? Ex, I thought the light bisque looked nice. Will the leather stain or turn over time more than a darker color? If one has dogs (I do not) would that tend them towards dark or light for any reason?
Interior, exterior, options, packages... the decision making process goes to a panel of folks in the trenches in each region, where we tell the higher-ups what colors and what options and what interiors to request/order in what ratio. Example: I love Misty interior on Prius, but I am one of the few. It's too light, according to many of my own buyers and they want the darker interior more. It's a tiny fraction of availability in my area but more available in AZ where a light interior is welcome in their heat. That can be said for certain color choices and also, in certain areas, why an advanced tech package for megabucks more doesn't get requested as much. We all have experience in these matters. We know what will sell. Even with no experience in Prius c prior to its debut, I could have told you to dial UP moonglow and dial habanero way down... common sense factors in as well.
Toyota website but I was looking at total volume with 2nd row seats down. At the dealership today and they had a Prius V and Prius III side by side, sure didn't look like much more room in the back and the price (both were ATP models of each) was about $4K more for the Prius V. That fake Prius V "sunroof" is weird. It just lets the sun in to cook you. It doesn't open up.
Having a v and a III I can tell you the difference in cargo space is alot. Maybe didn't look like it but it is substantial. ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T ? 2
Prius : 21.6 : 93.7 Prius v : 34.3 : 97.2 Maybe it is the two car's near identical total volume that makes it deceptive. Can't argue with 1/3 more cargo room.
Oh I see you are just wanting to turn the III into a two seater. I'm not into folding down rear seats all the time, that 1/3 more volume comes in very, very handy!! PC36100 ? 2
I knew it! You are kicking yourself for not getting the v and are torturing yourself by visiting the dealer to try to rationalize your mistake. It's understandable. A few of my friends who have the regular Prius expressed their jealousy at my v. They wish they had just waited and got the v instead.
And here I thought I was getting a new tire. Who knew. Sure didn't look like much more room and the fact that both vehicles total volume is almost identical explains it. The cargo space looks equal in depth with the V having a bit more height. Someone posted pix of their dogs sitting upright. If someone needs that extra 12 cu ft and it's the difference between a 40 mpg car vs. a 28 mpg car, lucky for them. But between Prius V and the Prius III, it's a small space for a 20% more money and 20% less fuel economy. When I was buying my Prius, I was walking around with skis to make sure they fit in a C and III. Someone else had a bike. For someone considering the V vs. the III, bring the dog, stroller or whatever is going to be the difference maker and check it out. It was interesting to read the discussion here and see the two cars side by side that evening at the dealership.
There's actually quite a bit of difference in available cargo room AND rear passenger comfort. Personally, I really like both cars, and may get Prius lll for myself (if I can get used to the rear visibility obstruction), but for our family, the V was the only choice. BTW 1680 miles and 50.6 mpg in the V.
We've recently become a multi-prii family with a Gen III 3 liftback and a v5 wagon. They sit side by side in our garage. I think this is the exact comparison you guys are making! My kids will tell you that there is a large and noticeable difference in both rear legroom and headroom. We all love our Gen III, but they say they feel like kings in the back of the v. We think it is because of 1) the flat floor with no hump 2) the ability of the rear seats to slide back a couple on inches 3) the ability of the rear seats to recline Even in the front, the removal of the console "bridge" in the v has opened up the space of the seating area and both my wife and I feel less cramped in the front. We've also tried carrying a couple of kids bikes in the back of both vehicles. The smallest bike (16" wheels) could fit into the lift back, the larger one (20" wheels) could not. The v took both bikes. On paper, the differences may seem small, but in real life, it is noticeable. I think we're quite unbiased since we own and love both cars, but if space is a factor in your car needs, the v does provide a big bump up over the Gen III lift back. Just saying...
I don't know. Proximalsun saw it with his own two eyes while he briefly visited the dealership. I think that carries more weight than your observation as an owner of both vehicles.
Seriously, Proximal, why do you care which Prius others are choosing? We have four different models that suit the needs of a wide spectrum of drivers, isn't that a good thing? Relax and enjoy your liftback as I do, and celebrate that others have found a Prius that they love too!
Not even close. We carry 4 sets of golf clubs sideways in the Prius v. It was a tight fit to carry one set sideways in the liftback. For two sets of clubs in the liftback, you have to put the rear seat down and carry them lengthwise. I get virtually the same gas mileage in the Prius v as I did in my 2009 Prius Toring, basically between 44 and 48 mpg (highest tank was 49mpg).
I get the same or better mpg in my v than I got in my 2005 Prius. Unless you're putting on an unusual amount of miles, I see no reason to use this as a factor against the v. I own a Blizzard Pearl v which I really like, but if the dealer offered me a Super White for $1000 less I would gladly accept it.
Isn't the comparison between the 42 mpg rated V and the 52 mpg rated Prius V and Prius III? As noted if someone really needs the extra 30% cargo room and it's the difference between a Prius V at 42 mpg and RAV at 26 mpg, it is the way to go. But considering the 20% price difference and the 20% fuel mileage advantage, the person should look hard. Bring that specific, every day cargo need and try it out in both vehicles as I saw a lot of folks doing when comparing C and III. And the Prius V doesn't have a sunroof or power seats. One a nice option, the second can be a necessity due the documented bad ergonomics of the Prius front seats, shared by Prius V and Prius III.
