Toyota Prius V 2012 review: first drive

Don't try to tell Toyota this is a people mover. It might have a third row of seats and it might seat seven people, but the marketing people rejected that description from the get go  because nobody wants to drive a mum bus do they?

Of course that does not stop us calling Toyota's new seven-seat hybrid Prius V a people mover, albeit a fairly compact one. It's priced from $35,990 with a more expensive and better equipped model due later in the year.

PRIUS WHO?

These days there's three Priuses: Prius, Prius C and now Prius V. We're told there won't be anymore but it still leaves the door open for something a bit sportier and more dynamic. Just about everyone knows what a Prius is, now in its third generation here.

Prius is Toyota's answer to the looming fuel and climate change crisis. It's a hybrid car with petrol and electric motors that still takes petrol but is far more economical than a standard car.

The Prius C (for city, compact and clever), launched a few weeks ago, is a smaller, cheaper hatch powered by the original 1.5-litre powertrain. Launched this week the new Prius V (for versatility) is the largest of the three with a third row of seats and seating for seven people. It's powered by essentially the same 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain and CVT transmission as the Prius  but with a few differences.

SO WHAT'S DIFFERENT?

Apart from the fact it seats seven, the big difference is that this time around they've opted for a lithium-ion battery. Mounted vertically beneath the centre console between the front seats, it's 50 per cent smaller and 7kg lighter but has the same capacity.The batteries in Prius and Prius C are of the older nickel metal-hydride variety.

The goal with the larger V was to reduce the car's overall weight, in order to provide a satisfactory level of performance. The lithium-ion battery, resin fuel tank, aluminium bonnet and aluminium bumper reinforcements have helped bring down the weight to 1565kg  135kg heavier than the Prius. The V also has lower gearing to compensate for the extra weight, which is reflected in slightly higher fuel consumption figures.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Prius sets the pace with 3.9 litres/100km which is one of the lowest fuel use figures around. Prius C also uses 3.9 litres/100km. Prius V, in comparison, is rated at 4.4 litres/100km, which is still excellent for a car this size.

During a run down from Sydney to Thirlmere on the NSW south coast, we got figures of 5.3 and 4.1 litres/100km over the course of about 200km. However, hybrids which reclaim energy from braking tend to excel in urban environments where the car is continually stopping and starting.

Incidentally the Prius takes premium 95RON unleaded, not standard petrol. With a higher fuel consumption than its siblings, it will be interesting to see whether the Prius V scores a five-star rating from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide. At the moment the reigning champion for low fuel consumption in this country is Ford's diesel Fiesta Econetic hatch which uses just 3.6 litres/100km.

THE THIRD ROW

It's a 135mm longer than a Prius and has an 80mm longer wheelbase. The third row of seats fold into the floor when not in use providing a reasonable amount of luggage space. But there's not much room left over when the seats are in use.

In terms of size and legroom, think small children only. We note the lack of airconditioning vents in the rear of the car, both for second and third row occupants. A central outlet in the dash is supposed to carry air all the way down to the back. Anyone who has ever spent any period of time in a third row of seats will attest to the fact that air and plenty of it is essential  otherwise you could have some carsick passengers.

HOW'S IT GO?

The system has a combined output of 100kW, but its difficult to put a figure on the combined torque output of the petrol and electric motors, rated at 142 and 207Nm respectively. There weren't too many hills on our drive route.We spent most of our time on the Hume Highway dodging speed, red light and so called safety cameras of which there an abundance.

Unfortunately the V is not equipped with GPS and even the more expensive model with satellite navigation will not provide speed camera warnings when it arrives. The car goes well enough with two adults aboard, but we worry about the level of performance with all the seats occupied?

PORPOISE FREE

The Prius V introduces a new anti-bounce technology that will gradually roll out to other models. It's called pitch and bounce control and is supposed to stop the car porpoising on undulating roads. This is where some cars have a tendency to rock from front to back in a wave like motion. Not a good look for those sitting in the rear.

SAFETY

It gets seven airbags and a full complement of electronic wizardry including a reversing camera, hill-start assist, stability and traction control, and anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.

It hasn't been tested yet, but Toyota has engineered the car to score a full five stars for safety. Time will tell. The spare by the way is a space saver.

GOODIES

Heads up display is standard which projects a holographic image of the car's speed and other information into the lower area of the windscreen. You also get climate air, six-speaker audio, Bluetooth and a USB input for iPods and other music players.

Standard features include daytime runners, fog lights, 16-inch alloys, cruise control, auto lights, smart entry/push button start, rear side sunshades and driver's seat lumbar adjustment.

VERDICT

If you want something to get from A to B, that doesn't use much fuel and like the utility of a wagon or need the extra seats, then the Prius V could fit the bill. There's a lot of technology thrown in to justify the price, but more demanding drivers may be turned off by the performance (or perceived lack of it). We'd certainly recommend taking it for a good test drive before making any hasty decisions, especially loaded up with a few kids in the back.