2012 Prius v Information and Specs

It couldn't possibly be because we have kids. Nope, that isn't it. It must be something else.

 

Fine. But 2 kids + 2 adults = 4 seats. Not 7 or 8.

The latter is a bus.

 

Unless you are taking your kids and two of their friends or family somewhere then what? Oh you'd need two cars and now two drivers and... If you can't envision a need for the 3rd row seats then that's fine but some of us have the need.

 

2 adults + 4 kids = 6 seats.
2 adults + 2 kids plus their two friends = 6.
2 adults + 3 kids + each of their friends = 8.
2 adults + their visiting parents plus their four kids = 8.
5 adults + four kids = 9.
12 adults + 3 children + 5 pet orangutans = 20.

 

Hey, why not buy a minivan? (O.K., forget the "mini" part.)

Some of us just don't want to be embarrassed by the Prius brand....

 

Yeah, but some folks want a hybrid minivan in the US (like the Estima Hybrid that's sold in Japan). Nobody's delivered such a thing in the US yet.

The Highlander Hybrid can apparently seat 7 but it's a bit too thirsty w/its V6 and rather pricey (MSRP starts at $38,360). The 3rd row is standard on the 2011 but apparently, it wasn't on earlier years (?).

I think another problem for people with kids is that they the child seats themselves eat up a lot of room and it's a squeeze for a parent to be in the back of a 5 seater w/2 car seats.

 

FYI,
The Japanese regulation is 3 kids less than 12 years old can be counted as 2 adults, and a kid less than 6 years old has to be on the appropriate child seat.

How about the regulations in the US and other countries?

Ken@Japan

 

It's a miss. that vehicle is exorbitantly priced. I priced out a fully loaded Highlander and they top out over $50k, though it's got a lot of options.

 

Here are some nice new photos of the Prius v from the Canadian Auto Show:





More photos and other cool stuff from CarGuideWeb: Meet the Toyota Prius Family: All-new 2012 Toyota Prius v makes its Canadian debut at the Canadian International Auto Show - The Car Guide

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It looks good but then so does a 2010 and this looks more or less like a 2010. Doesn't really seem much larger than a third gen, though.

 

I know someone who bought a Fusion Hybrid. Said not the Prius because it was too small, just wanted one larger. Pointed him to this and he said it might be his next car. Hmm, I guess some will like it