Filed under: Hybrid, Wagon, Technology, Crossover, Toyota, First Drive Toyota Masters The Art Of The Conjunctive 2012 Toyota Prius V - Click above for high-res image gallery The hybrid lexicon is a language built on a foundation of disjunction. Buyers may have phenomenal fuel economy or space for kids and cargo. You can embarrass your neighbors at the fuel pump or have a satisfying driving experience. In fact, opting for a battery pack is so fraught with compromise that it's almost as if hybrid manufacturers have completely deleted the conjunctive 'and' from their diction. Even so, that fact hasn't stopped buyers from seeking out electrified vehicles in increasing numbers. Toyota has sold over one million Prius models in the United States since the vehicle first debuted a decade. That number blossoms to two million if global sales are accounted for, and the model's popularity has helped usher in a bloom of hybrid products from over 16 manufacturers. The technology may not be the perfect solution to our fuel economy concerns, but the Prius has taken off in ways that would have been difficult to imagine when the first gangly example whirred off the line. Now Toyota is set to grow its Prius lineup with three new models. In fact, Bob Carter, Toyota division group vice president and general manager, says that the Japanese automaker fully expects the Prius family to become its best-selling product line in the near future - beating out internal combustion titans like the Camry and Corolla in the process. As a result, the company is planning to unleash of a barrage of products that include a model based on the Prius C Concept, a plug-in version of the hybrid and the taller, boxier Prius V. The thought is that a few simple variations on the company's successful battery-powered recipe will offer buyers solutions that the conventional Prius simply couldn't match. The only question is whether or not the will respond to what is effectively a few clever re-body jobs. If the Prius V is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.Continue reading 2012 Toyota Prius V 2012 Toyota Prius V originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
The question is: Is it really a wagon? The government may classify it as such. Toyota hates that no doubt. It just seems one of many "wagons" that blur the line of wagon and four-door hatchback. Much as I want to say, "Finally! A hybrid wagon," I think it is just a hatchback with four doors. What do you all think?
personally, i don't like the new fad of hybrid cars. sure it is good in theory that we are cleaning up the air and saving money at the pumps (around town under 40 mph) but I am just seeing into the future of all of these hybrids sitting at used car lots with low sticker prices because they need replacement battaries that cost more than the car books for in good working order. Also, I too don't like how the government classifies wagons, I recently had a 1996 dodge caravan that was classified as a "station wagon" on the title. IMO a station wagon would classify a car that has 3 or 5 points of entry, cargo windows longer/bigger than door windows and does not have room to stand up in
I'm sorry, but I've got to say this is just flat out not big enough to be called a wagon. I know there's Escort wagons and Subie wagons, but this one doesn't look like it fits my definition of a wagon in that the cargo area is compromised by the lines of it. I guess it's pretty cool looking, but I'd have to say it was an oversized hatchback rather than an actual station wagon. I suppose I'm old school.
Hatchback, indeed. I have a golden rule of proportions. If the length of the cargo area from seat-back to tailgate does not exceed the height of the cargo area, it is a hatchback.
