Prius V vs 3rd gen

Recent new owner of a v wagon here, I was strongly considering a liftback as well.

Along with getting better fuel economy, the lighter liftback has slightly better acceleration. The smaller body / wheelbase means a smaller, more park-able turning circle as well. In addition, prices for liftbacks are also slightly lower than v wagons with comparable equipment. Obviously more liftbacks were sold than v wagons over the third-gen's life, so you have a bigger selection and more availability for parts down the road too.

Speaking of that selection, the liftback had more trim levels than the v wagon, such as the Four, which had the Softex seats and steering wheel but without the extra toys. There were also some special editions like the Persona series, if you're into that sort of thing.

I wanted the extra cargo space, which is why I went with the v wagon, but under all other circumstances the liftback would have met my needs.

 

welcome!
i think that is the best (only?) reason to buy a v.

 

We have a 2015 Prius v Pack 4 and a 2010 Prius Pack 4. The two are mechanically similar.

The v has a lot more room. If you get a v, you do want 2015 or later due to crash safety improvements in the 2015 and later models.

I like both, but the v does haul more.


— Bill Burkholder

 

In 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced the front small overlap crash test that pretty much threw every automaker for a loop. Automakers' cars got tested and they would receive "poor" results in the test, so they all scrambled to make quick and dirty structural revisions to pass the test. The third-gen Prius liftback was okay, as it got an "acceptable" rating, but the v wagon was rated "poor".

Since Toyota was planning a mid-cycle enhancement for the v wagon anyway, they worked the extra crash protection in. The 2015 models (and forward) have a "good" rating in the test. They also have the latest Entune head unit, a new gauge cluster, a power driver's seat, and fresh styling.

The liftback already got its mid-cycle enhancement for the 2012 model year, and since it passed the test, it went pretty much unchanged up until the 2015 model year. Then, for the 2016 model year, the fourth-gen liftback came out.

My 2013 v wagon was the best model year for my budget, but I still prefer the pre-facelift 2012-2014 models. I prefer their styling and their available interior colors, and the fact that the audio head unit has actual buttons as opposed to touch points.

But there's no difference when it comes to the third-gen liftback. Even with a 2013 you're good to go with one of those.

 

That small overlap crash factor would not be a deal breaker for me. I appreciate it's serious stuff, but it's such a long shot.

 

If you get a V, the optional LED headlights are supposed to be very, very good.