Prius v

The Toyota Prius ''v'' (for versatile), also named Prius α (pronounced as Alpha) in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, in the U.S. in October 2011, and released in Europe in June 2012. The Prius ''v'' was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show alongside the Prius c Concept, and it is the first Prius variant to be spun off from the Prius platform. According to Toyota the "v" stands for "versatility". It is a compact MPV with a standard full hybrid drivetrain.

The Prius α was offered in the Japanese market with a nickel–metal hydride battery at a price of (), and the lithium-ion battery version was expected to sell for (). The Prius ''v'' base price in the U.S. started at and was offered only with a nickel–metal hydride battery. , global sales totaled about 634,000 units, led by Japan with 428,400 units sold, representing 67.6% of global sales.

Specifications

The Prius ''v'' design resembles compact based minivans prevalent in Europe and has a with a shape that evolved from the Prius. The exterior styling is rounded with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. Other differences are the trapezoidal-shaped front with sharp-edged headlamps and wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics, as well as an enlarged under grille. The rear styling has a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.

The interior cargo space is more than 50% larger than the 2010 Toyota Prius, longer and wider, providing of cargo space behind the rear seats; it also offers of rear leg room, and more head height.

The Toyota Prius ''v'' includes many of the same standard features of the 2010 Prius, with four driving modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV; smart key with push button start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, dynamic radar cruise control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and advanced parking guidance system. The Prius ''v'' has several technical advancements including Toyota's new Toyota Entune Multimedia System and a panoramic sunroof made of lightweight resin, 40% lighter than a glass roof of the same size. Entune premiered on the 2012 Toyota Prius ''v''.

Powertrain

The Prius v powertrain uses the same 1.8 liter Atkinson cycle gasoline inline-four engine used in the conventional Prius, a 60 kW traction motor, and shares the Prius's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and the same 201 volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack.

Toyota introduced some refinements unique to the Prius v powertrain. These refinements include a new "Pitch and Bounce" motor control that the Prius v automatically employs on undulating roads and the refined control was designed to improve ride comfort and control. Because the Prius v is a larger vehicle with greater load capacity, suspension components were redesigned to improve handling and ride quality. "Pitch and Bounce" control works with the vehicle's suspension to cancel longitudinal oscillation when the Prius v is driven over uneven surfaces.

The Prius v also includes a redesigned engine coolant heating structure surrounding the vehicle's catalytic converter and the exhaust heat recirculation system has been refined to reduce engine warm-up time and improve occupant heater response time in cold weather. A switch valve electronically controls coolant recirculation through the exhaust heat recirculation system.

Safety

In the United States the 2012 model year Prius v includes Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), which is designed to alert pedestrians, the blind, and others of the vehicle's presence due to significant noise reduction typical of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speeds in EV mode. This type of warning device is mandated in the United States by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The warning sound is generated by externally mounted speakers and it activates automatically only at speeds below about . The pitch varies with the vehicle's speed to give pedestrians a sense of whether the approaching Prius is accelerating or decelerating. Reception for this feature of the car had been mixed, with the website Green Car Reports thinking it sounded like a "Deranged Spaceship".

Fuel economy and emissions

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Prius v fuel economy at for city driving and for highway, and a combined rating of . According to Toyota, the Prius ''v'' produces 66% less smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle.

Under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test, the base model has a fuel consumption of in combined cycle and in city driving. Its emissions are estimated at 96g/km. The top-of-the-line model has a fuel consumption of and emissions of 101g/km.

Markets and price

Toyota launched the second member of the Prius family with three regional versions of the vehicle: the Prius ''v'' in the North American market, the Prius α in Japan, and the Prius+ in Europe. The Alpha is the basis for the five-seat launched in North America, and the seven-seat released in Europe. A total of 186,989 Prius α/v/+ were sold worldwide in 2012, its first full year in the market. ''A total of 7,053,000 hybrids have been sold worldwide by TMC through September 2014 (includes Prius PHV).'' Global sales up to April 2016 totaled 634,000 units. Japan is the main market with 428,400 units sold, representing 67.6% of global sales. The United States ranks second with 148,079 units (23.4%), followed by Europe with 38,200 (6.0%), Canada with 12,670 (2.0%), and the rest of the world with 6,600 (1.0%).

The following table presents retail sales since deliveries of the Prius α began in May 2011 for the top selling national markets by year through April 2016.

Japan

On May 13, 2011, Toyota introduced the Prius α in Japan with a sales target of 3,000 units per month. The Prius Alpha is available in a five-seat, two-row model and a seven-seat, three-row model, the latter's third row enabled by a space-saving lithium-ion drive battery in the center console. The five-seat model uses a NiMH battery pack. Deliveries of the Alpha were delayed due to the effects of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami on production. Toyota announced it had received 25,000 orders for the Prius Alpha hybrid wagon and minivan models in Japan before the start of sales. The five-seater version starts at (), and the seven-seater starts at (). Since its introduction, a total of 111,500 Prius α have been sold in Japan through April 2012, representing 80.8% of the Prius α/v model line's global sales. Since May 2011 a total of 289,000 Prius α have been sold through December 2013. On April 8, 2013, Daihatsu started selling its OEM version of the Prius α for the Japanese market under the name. The Mebius was discontinued in February 2021.

On December 1, 2020, Toyota announced that the Prius α would be discontinued from March 2021.

Australia

The Prius v was launched in Australia in May 2012. Pricing started at plus on-roads costs, which was more than the base Prius. The 7-seat version with lithium-ion battery was the only model and was available two specifications; base and i-Tech. Standard features included a 6.1-inch display-screen audio system, automatic air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, energy monitor, head-up display, keyless entry and ignition, daytime-sensing headlamps, fog lamps, cruise control, daytime running lamps, and a reversing camera. However the i-Tech included features such as leather, LED headlamps, Radar Dynamic Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Safety System, Panoramic roof and Satellite navigation. According to ADR81/02 the Prius v returns fuel economy of and emissions of 101g/km.

Sales in 2014 totaled 722 units, ahead of the third-generation Prius hatch (487). ''Toyota Australia sold 1,654 Prius c, 722 Prius v and 487 third-generation Prius hatches in 2014.'' , cumulative sales since introduction totaled 3,430 units.

Canada

Sales of the Canadian Prius ''v'' began in October 2011, starting at a base price of (). The Prius v sold 553 units during 2011, 4,077 in 2012, and fell to 2,640 in 2013, and to 1,442 in 2014. Sales climbed to 2,497 units in 2015. Cumulative sales through April 2016 reached 12,670 units.

Europe

The European version is named Prius+ and was launched in June 2012. The European is offered with a lithium-ion battery, with three rows of seats with accommodations for seven passengers. Cumulative sales in the region totaled 38,200 units through April 2016.

;France
Three trims are offered in the country, Active, Dynamic and Lounge, and pricing starts at ().

;Spain
The Prius+ was released in June 2012 at a base price starting at ().

;United Kingdom
Deliveries of the Prius+ began in July 2012. The hybrid MPV is offered in two trims: the base T4 that delivers on a combined cycle and carbon dioxide emissions of 96g/km, and the T Spirit with a fuel economy of and carbon dioxide emissions of 101g/km. Due to its emissions being lower than 100g/km, the T4 version is exempted from road tax. Cars appropriately enrolled in an incentive scheme, on or before 27 June 2013, will also enjoy exemption from the London congestion charge until 24 June 2016, provided the registered keeper of the vehicle remains unchanged. The T4 trim pricing starts at () and at () for the T Spirit.

Hong Kong

The lithium-ion battery, seven seater version of Prius v was launched in Hong Kong SAR in April 2012. Two variants are available, in Luxury and Super luxury trims. The latter adds a twin moonroof and leather seats.

Singapore

It named as the Prius+ and was sold by local distributor Borneo Motors as a mid-sized MPV from 2018. It replaced the Toyota Wish, which was discontinued in Japan and Singapore in 2017. The sales tagline was "More Than You Wished For." Only one variant was available.

United States

Toyota began sales of the Prius ''v'' in the U.S. in October 2011 with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack similar to the 2010 model year Prius, and with two rows of seats to accommodate five passengers. The European and Japanese versions are offered with a lithium-ion battery, with three rows of seats with accommodations for seven passengers. Toyota's sales target is about 15 to 20% of conventional Prius sales in the United States, which represents around 30,000 units a year. With the Prius v, Toyota is expecting to expand its customer base to include young families with children looking for a hybrid more spacious than the Prius. A total of 8,399 Prius v's were sold during 2011, climbed to 40,669 units in 2012, and fell to 34,989 in 2013, and to 30,762 in 2014. Sales continued to decline in 2015 to 28,290 units, down 8% from 2014. , cumulative sales totaled 148,079 units.

Sales price in the U.S. starts at plus a delivery fee. The Prius ''v'' is offered in three configurations: the base Prius v Two, the mid-range Prius v Three (), and the premium-level Prius v Five (). The Prius v Three adds standard display audio with navigation and the Toyota Entune multimedia system. In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door smart key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, and fog lamps. All trims come with a Bluetooth wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls and a USB port that allows playing of music and video from portable audio devices, and includes full iPod integration.

U.S. sales of the Prius v were discontinued at the end of the 2017 model year as sales had fallen considerably since the 2016 launch of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Recognition

The 2012 Prius ''v'' was selected among the five finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year to be awarded by the '' Green Car Journal'' in November 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Prius Alpha was also shortlisted for 2012 Car of The Year Japan. Shared with the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the Prius ''v'' was awarded Green Car Report's Best Car to Buy 2012.

See also

* Toyota Prius
* Toyota Prius c
* Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

References

External links

* (Japan)
* (US)
Video: Demo Toyota Prius Vehicle Proximity Notification System

{{Modern North American Toyota vehicles

Toyota Prius
Prius, Toyota
Cars introduced in 2011
2020s cars
Compact MPVs
Station wagons
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
Hybrid minivans
Partial zero-emissions vehicles
Vehicles with CVT transmission