This wagon version of the Prius offers a very roomy rear seat and a generous cargo area. It's about the size of a Mazda5 but seats five. The extra weight and a less aerodynamic shape take a small toll on fuel economy, but the V still got an excellent 41 mpg overall in our tests. Despite lower gearing, the electric motor and engine have to work fairly hard, especially when the car is loaded. It drives similarly to the standard Prius, but rear visibility is better than the smaller car. A weight-saving plastic moon roof is optional. First year reliability is above average.
A subscription to ConsumerReports.org includes Consumer Reports road test reports (based on over 50 different tests).
Toyota Blog Content
Video: Toyota Tacoma is a fine workhorse but lousy family vehicle
Serving as an alternative to full-sized pickup trucks, the Toyota Tacoma is well suited to handling cargo hauling and fairly challenging off-roading. But as we were reminded with our recent crew-cab test truck, the Tacoma makes for a lousy family...
Guide to the best small SUVs
Small SUVs are one of the hottest vehicle categories. Their good fuel economy, easy access, all-weather traction, and plenty of passenger and cargo space make them an appealing choice for many car buyers. In this crowded segment, it can be...
Road-trip friendly cars that can go the distance
Memorial Day is fast approaching and that means millions of Americans will be hitting the road for a family trip. The roads will be crowded and you should expect lines at gas stations. A car bred for long-haul driving, with...
Consumer Reports names its top-scoring cars
With the release of our Tesla Model S road test, there have been many questions regarding what other models stand out. Here, we present the current class valedictorians, those cars that have faced our more than 50 tests and managed...
Safest, least expensive mom-friendly cars
Quality, safety, and value are the top factors for new-car buyers and are certainly not lost on moms looking to buy the right family car. Hitting all these attributes in a vehicle that is also kid friendly can be a...
