Used 2015 Toyota Prius v

If you’re looking for lots of cargo space in an ultra-fuel-efficient package, then the 2015 Toyota Prius V may be just what you need. It’s a Prius, so fuel hybrid economy comes first: How does up to 44 mpg in the city, and 42 mpg city/highway combined sound? But that "V" stands for "versatility," and this biggest-of-all-Prii offers 34.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, as good as many compact SUVs. The rear seats themselves are on sliders, giving rear passengers even more legroom if they need it, or expanding the cargo area to more than 40 cubic feet. The Prius V’s primary rivals are the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (Golf SportWagen for 2015) and the Ford C-Max hybrid, but neither beats this Toyota’s city or combined fuel economy.

For now, high-performance hybrids are confined to the upper echelons of Porsche and Ferrari, with 6-digit price tags to match. In other words, the 2015 Toyota Prius V won’t be your first choice for an enthusiastic drive through the mountains. Still, it does better than you’d think, with a comfortably firm suspension that deals nicely with city traffic, and enough power to merge onto freeways. A Power mode sacrifices a smidge of fuel economy for an equal smidge of extra power. On the highway there’s quite a bit of wind and road noise, notably more than rivals like the Volkswagen Jetta/Golf Sportwagen TDI or Ford C-Max hybrid. However, around town you won’t notice it as much, and the Prius V shares its uncanny ability to save fuel with the rest of the Prius lineup, nailing – and even exceeding – its EPA estimates it with little effort.

The 2015 Toyota Prius V has a generously sized and versatile interior, optimized for carrying up to five people or hauling cargo. The rear seats slide to quickly add more legroom for your long-inseam rear passengers. Alternatively, you can slide them forward to increase the already generous cargo area. Need more? Fold down those seats for SUV-like carrying capacity. Beyond the utility, there are storage areas for smaller items seemingly tucked everywhere in the Prius V. The interior design is futuristically modern, with all the controls and instruments isolated in an "island" in the middle of the dash.

There’s no better way to describe the 2015 Toyota Prius V than the words "Prius wagon." From the front, there’s no mistaking what family this car belongs to, and the same goes for the rear, too. Of course, there’s that long roofline and sharply cut off rear, both of which contribute to the generous cargo and passenger space. This year’s new nose brings the Prius V into the more modern Toyota design aesthetic, with squinty LED headlights and a large grille design. Prius V Two, Three and Four models have 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, while the upper-end Prius V Five has 17-inchers.

VERSATILE INTERIOR SPACE
The "V" is for "versatility," and with tons of cargo space, a seat that folds in a 60/40 split, adjustable rear seats for creating more legroom, and even a fold-flat front passenger seat for extra-long objects, the 2015 Toyota Prius V delivers in spades.

OUTSTANDING FUEL ECONOMY
Imagine you could get 40 mpg or so every day, almost regardless of how you drove? That’s what it’s like to be behind the wheel of the 2015 Prius V hybrid. Those EPA estimates of 44 mpg city, 40 highway and 42 combined are real, and not hard to achieve.

The 2015 Toyota Prius V comes in four trim levels: Two, Three, Four and Five. The base Two model comes with automatic climate control, an Entune audio system with USB input and a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, a backup camera, cruise control, Bluetooth, and push-button start with remote entry. The Prius V Three adds an upgraded Entune system, power lumbar for the driver’s seat, a 4.2-inch multi-information display in the gauges, and Smart Key passive entry. The Prius Four and Five add faux-leather seats and an 8-way power driver’s seat, while the Five gets 17-inch alloy wheels.

There’s only one major option on the 2015 Prius V, and it’s only available on the top-line Prius V Five. The Advanced Technology Package adds a Panoramic View Moonroof, premium JBL audio system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and an upgraded Entune system that includes navigation.

There’s only one powertrain available for the 2015 Toyota Prius V. A 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine is mated to a 60-kilowatt electric motor, sending a combined 134 horsepower to the front wheels through a gearless, continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT). It’s essentially the same combination that’s in the regular Prius, with the exception of a beefed up transmission. It’s not exactly quick – not like that’s the point of a Prius – but it does offer enough power to deal with urban conditions or merging with freeway traffic. And Toyota has years of hybrid experience, so Prius V owners can do their motoring with the peace of mind that comes with proven reliability.

4-cylinder hybrid (1.8-liter engine + 60-kilowatt electric motor)
134 net horsepower: 98 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm (gasoline engine) + 80 horsepower (electric motor)
105 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine)
153 lb-ft of torque (electric motor)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 44/40 mpg