4th Generation Prius Family

I have now had my 3rd generation Prius for a little more than 2 years and I’m nearing the 50,000 mile mark. Not much has changed with this car since the last time I reported here. I’m still changing the oil every 10,000 miles and averaging 50 miles per gallon. Nothing to complain about here and no reason to move the the 2011 Prius model.

(11/1 – see update below) This week I got an email from the salesperson who sold me my 2010 Prius and he included some specs on the upcoming Prius models. While there isn’t a great deal of information here, it was the first time I saw some of it. For those of you who are interested:

The base MSRP for the Prius v are $26,400 for the Prius v Two model, $27,165 for the Prius v Three, and $29,990 for the Prius v Five. (on sale in late October 2011) Here are some specs I came across today for the top of the line version 5 Prius V (confusing, I know):

MECHANICAL & PERFORMANCE
Hybrid Synergy Drive System, SULEV
1.8L DOHC 16V VVT-i 4-Cylinder Engine
EV/ECO/POWER Modes
17″ Alloy Wheels, P215/50R17 Tires
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
4-Whl Disc Brakes / Front Ind Suspension
SAFETY & CONVENIENCE
Star Safety System: VSC, TRAC, ABS,
Elect Brake-Force Distribution, Brake
Assist(BA) & Smart Stop Technology (SST)
Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Airbag System
Dr & Fr Pass Seat Mounted Side Airbags
Side Curtain Airbags & Dr Knee Airbag
Whiplash-Injury-Lessening (WIL) Seats
LATCH(Lwr Anchor & Tethers for CHildren)
for Outboard Rear Seating Positions Only
3 Door Smart Key System
Eng Immobilizer, Tire Press Monitor Sys
EXTERIOR
Rr Splr w/Center High-Mount Stop Lamp
LED Headlamps w/ Auto Level Control,
Auto-On/Off Feature & Front Foglamps
Clr-Keyed Pwr Htd Folding Outside Mrrs
Front Variable & Rear Intermittent Wiper
INTERIOR
Display Audio w/Navi & Entune (See
Toyota.com for APP Info): 6.1″ Touch-
Screen w/Backup Cam, AM/FM/CD w/MP3/WMA
6 Spkrs, XM Trial/HD/Aux/USB & Bluetooth
60/40 Split Sliding/Reclining Fold-Down
Rear Bench Seat w/Armrest & Adj Hdrests
Digital Instrumentation with Trip Info
SofTex-Trimmed Htd Fr Seats w/6-way Dr
Seat w/Power Lumbar & 4-Way Fr Pass Seat
Single-Dial Automatic Climate Control
Center Console w/Armrest, Storage & Tray
Rmte Keyless Entry & Push Button Start
Tilt/Telescopic Steering Whl w/Controls
Cruise Control, Instant MPG Indicator
3 Front & 2 Rear Cup Holders
(1)Fr & (1)Cargo Area 12V Power Outlet
Auto-dim Rearvw Mirror w/ HomeLink

Along with what one package offers and some options here:

Advanced Technology Package: Premium HDD
Navi w/Entune & JBL- 7″ Touch/Split Screen .
w/Backup Cam, AM/FM CD Player w/MP3/WMA ….
Capability, 8 JBL GreenEdge Speakers, ……
SiriusXM Satellite Radio (90-day trial to ..
XM Select Package), HD Radio w/iTunes ……
Tagging, Aux, USB Port, Vehicle Info, Tel, .
Music, Advanced Voice Recognition, ………
Text-to-Speech w/Programmed & Customizable .
Text Responses Via Bluetooth. Dynamic ……
Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Pre-Collision .
System (PCS), Advanced Parking Guidance ….
System (APGS), Panoramic View Moonroof …..
w/Pwr Sunshades, Safety Connect Including ..
Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle …….
Locator, Roadside Assistance and Automatic .
Collision Notification (w/1-Yr Trial). …..
Entune – Includes Bing, iHeartRadio, …….
MovieTickets.com, OpenTable & Pandora; XM ..
Data Services Including NavTraffic, ……..
NavWeather, Fuel & Sports & Stocks. Access .
to Entune Services is Complimentary for ….
Three Years. See toyota.com/entune for …..
Details. ……………………………..
Special Color …………………………
Prius v 5 Standard: 17-in. 10-Spoke Alloy
Alloy Wheels with P215/50R17 Tires, LED ….
Headlamps with Auto Level Control, ………
Auto-On/Off Feature and Headlamp Cleaners, .
Integrated Fog Lamps, SofTex-Trimmed …….
Seating, 3-Door Smart Key System with Push .
Button Start and Remote Illuminated Entry ..
EC Mirror w/Homelink, Step Lamp …………
Illuminated Entry. …………………….
Carpet Floor Mats & Trunk Mat

On a side note, I am considering a trade-in for the larger Prius V. My family is growing and it would be nice to have a little more room for the extra sets of golf clubs. What are your thoughts? Are you thinking about moving from a Prius 3 to a Prius V?

Update 11/01/2011: Wondering about availability? Dealers are now getting the Prius V in inventory. Just got a call from my local dealer and they have one in stock and ready for a test drive. I will post a review of the 2012 Prius V here shortly, including photos and video. Exciting!