TOYOTA Prius v/Prius+ Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In 2015, Toyota considered that it was time for a refresh for the Prius V, or Prius +, in specific markets, and the Japanese automaker tried to keep the sales figures up for this hybrid-powered mid-size minivan.

Two decades after the launch of the Prius’ first generation, the Japanese automaker expanded the range to several models, including the compact-sized Prius C and the versatile Prius V. The latter was introduced in 2011 and tried to attract customers who were trying to lower the emissions of their vehicles but without being forced to drive econoboxes with underpowered engines. For them, the Prius V was an excellent solution. Even if the car didn’t deliver breathtaking performance, it could still do its job for school runs, grocery, and even hauling the entire family on a long holiday. Toyota understood that besides fuel efficiency, an expensive vehicle should provide more, so it sweetened the deal with a nicer-looking design and better interiors.

As a result, the front fascia of the 2016 Toyota Prius V was more aggressive than the one from its non-facelifted sibling. It featured a trapezoidal-shaped grille interrupted by a black horizontal slat that housed the license plate. It was flanked on the lower side by the daytime running lights, which were integrated into the vertical side scoops. In addition, the automaker added a pair of round fog lamps to the lower side of the bumper. With the 2015 Prius V, Toyota also took the decisive step towards modern lighting, installing LED projector headlamps on the vehicle.

Thanks to the tell greenhouse, the MPV-styled Prius V could accommodate up to seven people on three rows of seats. The panoramic windshield and large side windows provided an airy ambiance inside the cabin, while all versions featured a dual panoramic sunroof. Out back, atop the almost vertical tailgate, the automaker installed a roof spoiler that helped the vehicle get a 0.29 Cd, which was higher than what the regular Pirus provided but better than any other minivan on the market. To furthermore update the car’s look, Toyota added new designs for the standard 16-inch alloy wheels and provided a 17-inch set as an option.

Inside, there were more changes than on the outside. The front high-mounted seats were available in SofTex material, which was a man-made leather. Like the rest of the Prius range, the Prius V featured a dashboard made from recycled materials, and that didn’t look too good on such a vehicle, but customers were happy with that. They understood that sometimes they had to forget some luxurious amenities for the Earth’s sake. A new display in the squared-looking instrument cluster placed in the middle of the dashboard provided more and clearer information to the driver despite its ‘80s analog styling. In addition, a 6.5-inch Toyota Entune multimedia system was found on the center stack. Depending on the options, it could provide navigation, music, and an online connection for weather forecasts and other pieces of information. The middle row consisted of sliding and reclining three individual seats, while the two rearmost ones were suitable for children.

Under the hood was the same drivetrain as in the regular Prius. The 1.8-liter gasoline engine was helped by an electric motor to produce a total output of 134 hp (136 PS). Thanks to the electronically-controlled CVT, the car could sprint from 0 to 60 mph (0-97 kph) in less than 11 seconds, which was good enough for most customers.

Toyota tried to get more money from the platform developed for the Prius’ second generation and introduced the Prius+ as a seven-seat MPV that relied on the same underpinnings as its liftback brother.

While the world financial crisis still damaged the automakers’ pockets and customers alike, Toyota tried to push harder on the market with the Prius+, also known as the Prius V, in specific countries, where the V stood for versatility, according to Toyota. The new model was a minivan that hoped to win the wallets of those customers who needed a seven-seat car. Unfortunately for the Japanese automaker, this segment was narrow and already crowded. In the U.S., every mainstream automaker had one, while in Europe, this segment was dominated by Renault. In addition, buyers from the Old Continent were more keen to opt for a turbodiesel vehicle rather than a hybrid one, which cost more and lacked performance. Still, the car was well received in Japan and the U.S., where it sported the Prius V nameplate. It managed to sell over 600,000 units in five years, which was good for such a vehicle.

It was difficult not to see the connection between the Prius and the Prius+ due to the double-arched upper section of its headlights. On the other hand, its narrow grille adorned by a chromed horizontal slat resembled the Corolla. However, the lower bumper showed a decisive connection with the Prius thanks to the rectangular air intake flanked by vertical scoops, which housed the fog lamps and the blinkers.

From its profile, the Prius V featured a short nose and a panoramic windshield. The tall greenhouse featured a curved roofline that slightly sloped down towards the end of the vehicle and ended with an almost vertical drop for the tailgate. Toyota’s efforts to improve the MPV’s aerodynamics were noticed at the back, where the automaker placed a roof spoiler. After all its struggles, the car manufacturer created a minivan with a 0.29 Cd, which helped the Prius V get a decent fuel efficiency, albeit not significantly better than a European turbodiesel MPV could get. Toyota understood the importance of a good design, so it tried to create a better-looking minivan with the Prius V. As a result, it fitted it with 16-inch alloy wheels with an option for a 17-inch set. To accommodate the third row of seats, Toyota stretched the Prius’ wheelbase by three inches (8 cm). Finally, at the back, the LED taillights covered with clear lenses and sporting a chromed background resembled those from the regular Prius.

But the real importance of the vehicle was found inside. There, Toyota installed high-mounted seats up front for the two passengers, separated by a tall center console that housed a storage area and a small cup holder. On the center stack, the car manufacturer placed a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the Entune infotainment system, while next to that was the gear selector, which looked like a golf club’s end. On the dashboard, the automaker placed a rectangular-shaped instrument panel with an LED display. It didn’t look as modern as the one fitted on the center stack, but it was useful. In the middle row, Toyota installed three individual sliding and reclining seats, where the outboard ones could tilt forward to ease ingress and egress for those seated in the back.

Under the hood, Toyota installed a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine paired with an electric motor for a total output of 134 hp (136 PS). The entire power assembly was mated to an electronically controlled CVT that optimized fuel efficiency. As for performance, it was slightly slower than its hatchback sibling but good enough for most travels and highway merging.