Her and His Reviews
March 2012
2012 Toyota Prius V
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP: $36,555.00 | MSRP: $26,400 to $29,990, base price, but options can send that price skyrocketing. Be careful! Ours topped out at over $36,000! |
| Performance | |
| Now, in the wagon version, the v has 134 horsepower and a 1.8 Liter four cylinder engine. As consistent as its' counterpart, the Prius, expect a good, reliable and steady ride. | 1.8 Liter four cylinders with 134 horsepower. CVT transmission. Driving the Prius v is a smooth, buttery experience. Not any drama. Just capable, adequate acceleration. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 44 city/40 highway. | MPG ratings of 44/40 |
| The Car | |
| Toyota did a fine thing. They took a good thing and made gave it an option - more room. What I love about the Toyota Prius is the consistency of this vehicle. Since Toyota first began selling this model in the US some 11 years ago, the overall look has changed relatively little. In a world and industry where the 'next redesign' looks smarter, sleeker and sometimes with little bridge from its predecessor, Toyota has created the anti-redesign redesign; and I applaud them for it. It's no exception then, that v fits into the family brilliantly. With more room in the wagon version, the interior has the same cubic space as the Rav 4. Quite a compliment to the v. 17" allow wheels support the frame and the family, offering a bit more in steering control. A fully loaded interior and ample, comfortable space and leg room for five. The 60/40 split folding rear seats are easy to use and allow for a lot more cargo room with just a 'touch, or, tug' if you will. | The Prius v is roomy, well-equipped, economical, and pretty cool looking, too. Lots of good stuff here. The headrests hit you just right, and there's plenty of stretch- out room, too. And since the rear seat reclines up to 45 degrees and slides too, it's especially cool for a nap for passengers en route to their destination. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four different seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely long cargo. Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View moon roof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and heat insulation performance. We had one on our tester, and it really made the car feel airy and sunny, with fantastic views of rare blue Pittsburgh skies for everyone aboard. We loved it! The Prius v has room for five, and the rear seat is particularly comfy for long trips. |
| Safety | |
| The IIHS gives the 2012 Toyota Prius a 5/5 stars overall. It performed very well in crash tests. Standard features include traction control; anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, and tire pressure monitoring system. It's equipped with seven (7) airbags. The pre-collision system engages the seatbelts tighter and applies the brakes if the system deems that a front-on accident is unavoidable. Safety Connect includes automatic collision notification, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle locator, and an emergency SOS button. Like "Lifeline" for the road! | For a high level of safety, there are seven airbags, a high-strength cabin and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact beams, cross members and leg absorption pads. New driver and front-passenger seat design helps lessen possible whiplash injury during a collision. |
| Technology | |
| Toyota is taking it Ford (and learning from their very complicated MyTouch system which has buyers returning to the dealers) with Entune - a multimedia system also developed by Bing and Microsoft. Using the system you can link into support for mobile apps, such as OpenTable (tacking 15,000 restaurants), Bing, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, stocks, sports, etc. Entune also includes support for read-back and replay capabilities for text messages. Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard. | Lots and lots of it. Let's start with Entune. Entune multi-media system. The system uses the mobile phone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated and wireless upgradeable navigation, entertainment and information services. Using the system you can link into support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports. We found the system to be pretty easy to use, and certainly way more usable than Ford's confusing and complex MyTouch system. Toyota promises that it will also emit 66-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. Four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV) satisfy a variety of road conditions and driver preferences. A Smart Key System with Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Advanced Parking Guidance System. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Looks a bit like a stretched, futuristic Prius wagon--not a bad thing at all. It's got instant product recognition, that's for sure. | Looks a bit like a stretched, futuristic Prius wagon--not a bad thing at all. It's got instant product recognition, that's for sure. |
| Warranty | |
| 24 mo./25,000 miles Roadside Assistance, Maintenance, Accessories. 60 mo/60,000 miles Power train. 96 mo/100,000 miles Hybrid Electrical Components | 24 mo./25,000 miles Roadside Assistance, Maintenance, Accessories. 60 mo/60,000 miles Power train. 96 mo/100,000 miles Hybrid Electrical Components |
