The 2013 Prius V is the big papa in Toyota’s growing Prius family. The Prius V uses the same powertrain and has similar looks as the regular Prius 4-door hatchback, but offers a larger cargo hull that Toyota boasts is roomier than that of many small SUVs. The "V" in this 5-passenger hybrid stands for "versatility," and it aims to offer just that for families or those who need room to haul their stuff but cringe at the notion of doing it in a thirsty SUV. The Prius V is a tad slower than the traditional Prius but offers a smoother highway ride and innovative rear seats that slide, fold and recline. Above all, the Prius V is fuel-efficient, with a 42-mpg combined city/highway rating. Did we like it? We did – we were impressed enough to name this Prius one of the 10 Best Family Cars of 2013.
Used 2013 Toyota Prius v Pricing
The 2013 Toyota Prius V has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $27,410. A top-trim version reaches over $36,000 with the tech package. The Prius V’s base price is higher than that of the slightly smaller but more fuel-efficient Ford C-Max hybrid. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, meanwhile, can attain up to 42 mpg on diesel fuel and also has slightly lower starting price, albeit with a manual transmission. Be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are actually paying for the 2013 Prius V. We expect the Prius V’s resale value to hold up quite well over the years.
Driving the Used 2013 Toyota Prius v
Because it uses the same powertrain and is built on the same platform as the standard Prius, there’s little surprise that the Prius V feels similar to its slightly smaller sibling. Because the Prius V is larger and heavier, it’s a tad slower, but quick acceleration and the ability to carve mountain roads have never been the Prius hybrid’s forte, nor something its drivers expect. But don’t sweat: Getting up to speed on freeways is no problem, especially when the 2013 Prius V is in Power mode. The hybrid’s transitions between electric motor and gasoline engine remain refined, as does the Prius V’s regenerative braking system. Both take some time getting used to, but the adjustment period is short and well worth the fuel savings reaped.
Interior Comfort
Open the door of the Prius V and you’ll find more room than expected. The sliding rear seat offers better legroom than some luxury sedans, and the cargo area can swallow more stuff than a Chevy Equinox SUV. Storage space is not just available – it’s ingenious. Nooks are abundant. The front seat folds flat to accommodate long items. There’s even space under the rear seats for umbrellas. The front of the Prius V’s cabin feels roomier than that of the traditional Prius thanks to an open center stack. The available SofTex interior material is easy to clean and made to resist spills.
Exterior Styling
The 2013 Toyota Prius V is instantly recognizable as a Prius, even though it doesn’t share any sheet metal with the standard version of the hybrid. What most sets the Prius V apart is its rear, which trades a sloping hatch design for a more bulbous back. The Prius V probably won’t win any automotive swimsuit contests, as function takes priority over form here. At least the rear spoiler imparts some zest. Prius V Two and Three models ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, while the top-line Prius V Five comes with 17-inch versions (there are no "One" or "Four" trims).
Favorite Features
VERSATILE INTERIOR SPACE ENTUNE
Versatility is the name of the game for the Prius V’s interior. The rear seats slide to create legroom for passengers or space in the cargo bay for your gear. In addition to folding in a 60/40 split, the rear seats recline. Need to carry a long item like a surfboard? The front passenger seat folds flat, too.
With this high-tech system, you can connect a smartphone via Bluetooth or a cable and then perform tasks such as ordering movie tickets or listening to Internet radio using your voice or the vehicle’s controls.
Standard Features
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.
Factory Options
Major options for the 2013 Prius V come in the Advanced Technology Package, only available on the top-line Prius V. The package includes panoramic (but non-opening) moonroof, premium JBL audio system, dynamic radar cruise control, 7-inch touch-screen display, and a system to help with parallel parking.
Engine & Transmission
The 2013 Toyota Prius V hybrid is powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine matched with a 60-kilowatt electric motor, sending power to the front wheels through a gearless, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Except for a slightly revised CVT to accommodate the added mass, the Prius V’s powertrain is the same that powers the Prius. 4-cylinder hybrid (1.8-liter engine with 60-kilowatt electric motor)
134 net horsepower: 98 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm (gasoline engine) + 80 horsepower (electric motor)
105 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine), 153 lb-ft of torque (electric motor)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 44/40 mpg
KBB Vehicle Review and Rating Methodology
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
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