The 2013 Prius v Review

The 2013 Prius v will be available in a new Seaglass Pearl exterior color. In addition, the Prius v Five will offer a SofTex-trimmed steering wheel. The Prius v has small pricing increases over 2012 pricing ranging from $100 to $155. The Prius v Two has increased from $26,550 to $26,650 for 2013, and Prius v Three pricing has increased from $27,315 to $27,415. The highly equipped Prius v Five has increased from $30,140 to $30,295.

The 2013 Prius V comes in three trims: Two, Three and Five. A base model Two is well equipped with automatic climate control, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input and 6.1-inch touch screen, backup camera, remote keyless entry, and five cup holders. Safety components include stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Prius V Five models up the ante with the Entune infotainment system with navigation, heated front seats, LED headlights, and integrated fog lights.

The 2013 Prius v will be available in a new Seaglass Pearl exterior color. In addition, the Prius v Five will offer a SofTex-trimmed steering wheel. The Prius v has small pricing increases over 2012 pricing ranging from $100 to $155. The Prius v Two has increased from $26,550 to $26,650 for 2013, and Prius v Three pricing has increased from $27,315 to $27,415. The highly equipped Prius v Five has increased from $30,140 to $30,295.

The 2013 Prius v adds a new exterior color, the chameleon-esque Seaglass Pearl. The 2013 model also fixes one of my gripes with the 2012 model by adding a SofTex steering wheel on the Prius v 5 (not to be confused as the Prius Five Five).

The 2013 Prius v is designed with Toyota's legendary, long-lasting engine. It is a hybrid vehicle, which means it runs in the most efficient mode for any driving situation. As a result, the Prius v averages 44 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The high fuel economy leads to a lower overall cost of ownership. For consumers who are concerned with financial efficiency, the hybrid engine can make the Toyota Prius v price worthwhile. When it comes to price, the starting cost of the base model Prius v is $26,650.

The 2013 Prius V is home to an SUV-like 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space, more than half again as much capacity as the regular Prius, with most of the growth being vertical. The regular Prius has a family-friendly trunk, but the Toyota Prius V's extra vertical space really comes in handy for vacations and heavy-duty Costco runs, when we need to pack our cars to the rafters.

All 2013 Prius v models offer a suite of safety features as part of the included Toyota Star Safety System package. This suite offers stability control, traction control, 4-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. This model's airbag system offers front, driver's knee, front seat-mounted side, and side curtain air bags. Additional safety amenities include hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a vehicle proximity warning system.

The 2013 Prius V Three and Five trims come factory installed with an Entune audio system and navigation with a touchscreen. The Prius V Five trim comes equipped with simulated-leather-trimmed front seats, push-button start, LED headlights with auto-level control, integrated fog lights and 17-inch 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. A panoramic sunroof, dynamic radar cruise control, 7-inch touchscreen display with navigation and integrated backup camera, and an 8-speaker JBL audio system with AM/FM/HD radio and CD player with WMA/MP3 playback capability are available options for the Prius V Five.

The 2013 Prius V, like the regular Prius, offers seven airbags: Two in front, a torso airbags in each front seat, a pair of side curtain airbags that cover the windows, and an airbag for the driver's knees. Many cars now come with up to 10 airbags standard. At the time of writing, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the Fed had crash-tested the Toyota Prius V, but the ordinary Prius has excellent crash-test results and the V will most likely follow suit.

Behind the wheel, the driver of a 2013 Prius V wagon sits higher than in the standard Prius, though not nearly as high as in all-wheel drive crossovers or trucks. (Only front-wheel drive is offered, by the way.) The noise and performance of its 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine and pair of electric motor-generators will feel very familiar to existing hybrid drivers, and removed and vague--but perfectly fine--to enthusiastic Prius newbies. Regrettably, though, with 300 extra pounds to haul around, the Prius V is even slower than the Liftback, and it struggles mightily on steep hills when heavily loaded with people and cargo.

There’s plenty of cargo space in the 2013 Prius V for sale in Tacoma , with 34.3 cubic feet of space to work with. Seating is comfortable for five, with 97.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Toyota’s Star Safety System is included on the 2013 Prius V as well, which gives you peace of mind with its stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Ask your Larson Toyota salesperson for more details.