Toyota

Toyota 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 petrol-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 both nickel–metal hydride battery and lithium-ion battery. The Prius v in the U.S. was offered only with a nickel–metal hydride battery. As of April 2016, global sales totaled about 634,000 units, led by Japan with 428,400 units sold, representing 67.6% of global sales.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Wish

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Specifications

The Prius v design resembles compact based minivans prevalent in Europe and has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.29 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, 5 inches (130 mm) longer and 1 inch (25 mm) wider, providing 34.3 cubic feet (970 L) of cargo space behind the rear seats; it also offers 38 inches (970 mm) 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-litre Atkinson cycle petrol 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 powertr

Fuel economy and emissions

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Prius v fuel economy at 44 miles per US gallon (5.3 L/100 km; 53 mpg‑imp) for city driving and 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg‑imp) for highway, and a combined rating of 42 miles per US gallon (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg‑imp). 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 4.1 L/100 km (69 mpg‑imp; 57 mpg‑US) in combined cycle and 3.8 L/100 km (74 mpg‑imp; 62 mpg‑US) in city driving. Its CO2 emissions are estimated at 96 g/km. The top-of-the-line model has a fuel consumption of 4.4 L/100 km (64 mpg‑imp; 53 mpg‑US) and CO2 emissions of 101 g/km.

Markets

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 and Singapore. 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. 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 13 May 2011, Toyota introduced the Prius α (pronounced as Prius Alpha) in Japan with a sales target of 3,000 units per month. The Prius Alpha was 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 α hybrid wagon and minivan models in Japan before the start of sales. 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. Initially, the Prius α was offered in 2 grades: S, G. In Japan, the Prius α wa

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.

Replacement

The Prius V was discontinued in the United States after the 2017 model year, with the XA40 RAV4 Hybrid indirectly taking its place. Japanese production was discontinued in March 2021. In Australia and New Zealand, it was indirectly replaced by the larger XU70 Kluger Hybrid in July 2021. The Prius+ was withdrawn from the European market without being directly replaced, although there are alternatives such as the XA50 RAV4 Hybrid and E210 Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid in the line-up.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Top speed

165 km/h

Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2297034CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_VCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1360267222 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012_Toyota_Prius_v_--_03-21-2012.JPGPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20170817101948/http://www.toyota.com/priusv/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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