2012 Toyota Prius v Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

$26,550 to $30,140

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.8

avg user rating

(14 reviews)
2012 Toyota Prius v Preview summaryImage

Realizing that families and long-distance drivers like saving money and the environment at the same time, the designers at Toyota have come up with a larger version of the Toyota Prius for 2012: the Prius V. While both hybrid Prius models have 4 doors, seat 5 passengers and have a hatchback, the Prius V wagon is more powerful and has much more legroom and a longer wheelbase than its smaller sibling.

The 2012 Toyota Prius V is available in three front-wheel-drive trim levels: Two, Three and Five. Each have a direct-injected, 1.8-liter, 16-valve, VVT-I DOHC 4-cylinder aluminum engine with an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission. The Prius V’s hybrid powertrain reaches a max horsepower of 134 and max torque of 153 pound feet (105 of which emanate from the gas engine). The electric engine generates 80 hp on its own. All trim levels of the Prius V, which is considered a super ultra low emission vehicle, are estimated by the EPA to achieve 44 mpg city/40 highway.

The wheelbase of the 2012 Toyota Prius V is 9 inches longer than the standard Prius's, and the car is also more than 5 inches taller. Where the bigger version really shines is in cargo space, which, at 34.3 cubic feet, is more than twice the cargo space of the 2012 Toyota Prius C. The Prius V also rides on larger wheels—16- or 17-inchers as opposed to 15-inchers—giving it slightly more ground clearance as well.

Standard features available for all 2012 Toyota Prius V trims include projector-beam halogen headlights, LED taillights, heated power folding exterior mirrors, intermittent front and rear wipers, a rear defogger, rear spoiler, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, smart-key system with push-button start, cloth seating surfaces, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with mounted audio, climate and Bluetooth Hands-free controls, cruise control, a 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display with integrated backup camera and 16-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with wheel covers and all-season tires.

Upgrading to the Prius V Three trim adds a navigation system and tilt-telescopic steering wheel with additional voice command controls. For buyers choosing the Prius V Five trim, the standard equipment includes integrated foglights, SofTex-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and 17-inch 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires. Items that are available with certain packages include a panoramic moonroof, 8-speaker JBL premium sound system with AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, amplifier and 7-inch touchscreen display, an advanced parking guidance system and dynamic radar cruise control.

The 2012 Prius V comes standard with Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes vehicle stability control, traction control and 4-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and smart-stop technology. Other safety features that are standard for all Prius V trims include 7 airbags—driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, front- and rear-side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag—as well as an energy-absorbing steering column, side-impact door beams, tire pressure monitoring system, hill start assist control and a vehicle proximity notification system.

Current owners of the 2012 Prius V, which made its debut in the fall of 2011, mostly rave about its gas mileage, especially in this era of high gas prices. Many state they have been able to achieve close to 50 mpg on the highway, exceeding the EPA’s rating for the vehicle. Others note how quiet the ride is and how easy it is to switch from gas to Eco mode. The extra cargo space also receives rave reviews as well.

Although very similar in size and shape to the Prius C, the 2012 Toyota Prius V will appeal to drivers who use their vehicle to travel long distances or need the extra cargo space the Prius V affords. Priced competitively when compared to other hybrids in the market, such as the Ford Escape and Honda Accord, the extra size makes the Prius V almost like a crossover SUV that gets incredible gas mileage.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2012 Toyota Prius v

Write a review
User rating:
by thomas a
Jun 04, 2023
Roomy, smooth, economical. Bells and whistles still to learn aboutJun 04, 2023
by Scott B
Jan 26, 2023
exactly what i was looking for , I bought it.Jan 26, 2023
by David D
Apr 30, 2022
roomy, great trunk space, and great on gas, handles well, and low outside sounfApr 30, 2022

2012 Toyota Prius v Pricing

Original MSRP
$26,550 to $30,140
Price range
$8,922 to $9,672
Average price on CG
$8,964
YoY price change
$9,672 to $8,964

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 6

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 80 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 153 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 98 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5200 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 105 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: foldable · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 6

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 80 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 153 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 98 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5200 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 105 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: foldable · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · XM-ready satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Manual adjustments: 6

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 80 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 60 · Electric Motor Torque: 153 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 98 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5200 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 105 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4000

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: foldable · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leatherette

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Navigation wireless data link: Bluetooth · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent

See all trims (3)