Idiosyncratic Prius V Review

We bought a 2104 Prius V (the wagon-ish large version) 16 months ago. There are plenty of comprehensive review elsewhere, this is my idiosyncratic review.

First thing to understand--this is a "V", the BIG Prius. It is every bit a mid-size car. 6" longer, 3" taller, 1" wider than the standard, compact Prius. I am 6-1, and very comfortable in the rear seats.

Summary

Prius V is a great value. No hybrid premium at all--if anything, maybe a bit cheaper than much of the competition. A little fun-challenged, though.

The Good

• Price & trimlines. There are only 3 trimlines. We bought the base, which had almost everything we wanted. No heated seats, but those are easily available aftermarket. Sunroof might have been nice. Otherwise, not regrets.
• Huge shout-out for all 4 windows both having auto-down AND auto-up. This on the base trimeline!
• The proximity key is very convenient. Walk up to the car, it unlocks itself.
• Click once on the fob unlocks all doors--not just driver . I've always thought it was a dumb "because we can" feature that you have to double-click to unlock all doors. (I wish proximity did the same)
• Locking the car with the gob elicits a mild chirp, doesn't beep the dang horn.
• Acceleration is fine. Nothing to write home about. It is tuned to be mild. But if you need acceleration, stomp on the pedal, you will be fine.
• Both driver and passenger makeup mirrors have sensors--turn light on and off automatically.
• Rear-seat space is excellent. What takes it to the next level is fold-back rear seats. Very nice that this is in the base model--the Subaru Forester we recently purchased only includes this simple, but invaluable feature in the +1 trimline.
• Storage is excellent--2 glove boxes, plus a capacious center console that can accommodate a "boutique" size box of tissue.
• Low-maintenance. Especially the brakes.
• The confirmation that doors are locked is a mild beep--not an obnoxious honk.
• Can fold the passenger seat flat--infrequently needed, but very nice when you do need it.

The Bad

• Display is U-G-L-Y
• Pushbutton start is convenient, but the flip side is it messes with longstanding habits. E.g., if you are driving with someone else, it is quite possible to exit the car, key in your pocket, and not realize it.
• More complicated to jump-start.
• Copying the proximity key is horrdily expensive.
• Cup holders are inconvenient--the passenger cup-holder is way over on the right, and doesn't accommodate large sizes.
• USB port is only for data, does not charge.
• Center display is kind of goofy.