Test Drove Prius v Model 5 Today

Sounds good. Be sure not to settle on interior color. At least up here, I will never, ever own a light interior vehicle again.

 

I have owned several light colored interiors over the years, leather and cloth, they hold up fine. Had an all-black interior too, no thanks. The dark interiors can get pretty hot in the summer. Pros and cons to both light and dark. I would prefer light gray in my cars, wife wanted dark gray in the v 5. It looks and feels great, love it. The nice thing about buying a new car is you can pick the colors.

 

Personally, and please don't shoot me ... I like the lighter interior. It does show the dirt or unclean areas sooner... so you know to clean it!

 

Yep! To each his/her own but I would have no other interior but a light one. Bisque really lightens the interior and summer temps do not reach as high in the car as with a dark interior.

 

buckaroo... I see you are in Austin too. Which dealer had a Prius V to look at??

 

I test drove a V 5 today. It had most features. Listed for 32K. I don't think it had the assisted cruise and such but it had the nutone communicator thing. Nutone is the wrong word. Nuconnect?

Anyhow, I just test drove a CT200 friday and sat in a regular prius friday night. I wanted to drive a V and a regular prius.

I arrived at the dealership with reservations afraid it would look like a station wagon or a minivan. I was pleasantly surprised.

It has really great roominess inside. Drives great. Its quieter than the prius as I've seen mentioned before. The wheels were sharp. I think the cargo space is roomy enough to be useful. It was the sky blue color and looked rather nice as well.

I went into looking wanting to love the CT200 cause it looks sporty and classy but after driving them, the roomyness of the V is superior. I'm afraid after the novelty of owning a lexus wears off I'll be left with a small car. The V has a roomy upright sitting position for my 6'3 frame to enjoy.

I really love how the rear seats slide and tilt to maximize passenger comfort.

I'm not ready to jump just yet as I can wait for a promo or something or just till the lots have enough that I can haggle on it good, but I think I may be an owner in the not to distant future.

How do you know what "invoice" is on these anyway?

 

Go to cars.com and build your v there. A v5 invoice without AT is $28,679. A v5 invoice with AT is $33,861.

I got the same feelings from the CT. I loved the car, but I just worried so much about not being able to fit stuff when we need it. We're definitely going with the 5 (in either a Prius or Prius v), but we're unsure about the AT package. It really slaps a lot more money on top.

 

Tthe one I drove listed for 32,0xx.

What all is AT? This one had a screen and he said it had dvd, gps, apps, and something about it linking to my cellphone and using my cellular datta plan for downloading information....? I didnt fully follow him and don't think he really knew either.

I like the fake leather and heated seats but like another poster, I do not know if those are worth 3K.
What does this "screen" really do that I might find useful?

Also, what is with NO Prius has a power driver seat? I really enjoy the power driver seat on my trailblazer and I figured I could getr that with the fake leather but apparently not at all. That is unfortunate.

 

The AT is nothing but radar powered cruise control and a plastic moon roof that scratches easily. I can think of a million other things I’d rather spend 5k on.
CT200 verses v 5. I thought it was so interesting that Dan Neil of the wsj.com loved the v and hated the CT200. I recommend reading both his revues.

CT200

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576427792497329966.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

v

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303848104576383670110478578.html

Bottom line and what really matters is they have the same hybrid drivetrain. One has a huge backseat and the other has a tiny backseat. Why pay more money for the smaller backseat?

 

The Prius wagon has less length-wise cargo floor space than the Prius *and* the CT. Hard to believe I know -- I took a tape measure to the dealership and checked a couple of times. The wagon uses its larger space for a very roomy second passenger row. You can move the second row forward, but this opens up a large gap between the cargo floor and folded rear seats.

My guess is that the wagon was engineered for the third row of seats available in Europe, and in the US appeals to people who want to carry both 4-5 passengers and cargo. Since my desire is a long flat rear cargo space the wagon disappointed.

 

Tideland, that is disappoint because I really like the V. These already are 2012 models and it appears they do not offer the power seat option.

For 32 grand I would hope I could get a freakin power seat.

My luck, if I make a move on one of these, next years model will offer the upgraded seat feature.

Any chance the seats in the prius and the V are the same seat? Aka, could it just be swapped out for a Prius driver seat in the same material?

 

IMHO, you have to decide whether dynamic radar cruise control matters to you, if it does, then does it (and the things that come with it, pre-collision system, better audio system, better nav system, parking assist, "delicate" moonroof) matter 5,000 dollars worth to you? If you parallel park a lot, I suppose park assist might make a bigger diff.

For me, I use cruise control a lot, and I bought the car mostly to be my RC Airplane transporter on weekends, so I'll cruise control long distances on the highway a lot. So DRCC was a big deal for me and made the decision for me. I have a buddy who got a regular v Five and I'm glad I went with the AT package and don't mind the 5 grand it cost me to get it. But 3 years ago I wouldn't have spent the extra 5 grand (I think). I had the cash and I buy cars rarely enough that it was worth it to me for the extra capabilities.

Peter+

 

You may try to put on charco/black sheep skin seat covers. I did.Nice and comfy.:cheer2:

 

That's utter nonsense, I have a v and a std prius and with the rear seats up and back all the way I have MORE lengthwise room than I have in my std. prius, by nearly 6 inches. Were you perhaps measuring with the seats also reclined? That would cut 3 inches at least off your cargo space.

Peter+

 

toyota says the only prius that has power seats is the top of the line plug in. it won't be in any other 2012 prius ! no way, no how ! and the AT package, @ $5,000 !!! not in my world.