TOYOTA Prius v/Prius+ 2011-2015 Photos, engines & full specs

The Prius was a huge global success for Toyota, and the carmaker decided to use the same platform and nameplate for an MPV, named Prius V, or Prius + depending on the market.

Toyota unveiled the Prius V at the North American International Auto Show in 2011, and its V stood for "Versatility." In the U.S., the MPV market was big enough to convince the carmaker that a hybrid offering in that segment might be a good idea, and it was.

Make no mistake; the front fascia was very similar to the one installed on the regular Prius. Its unusually-looking, swept-back headlights with two corners in the back were already specific for the eco-friendly hatchback and worked well on the V-version as well. It was the front bumper that looked out of place with its broad grille at the bottom and side pods for the turn-signals and daytime running lights, vertically mounted. The fog-lights found their spots inside the lower grille. From its sides, the MPV shape, with a long hood and windscreen, formed a high greenhouse. An arched roof made the connection to the rear, tailgate-mounted roof-spoiler.

Inside, Toyota installed a seven-seat interior, with three seats in the middle row. Thanks to the higher cabin, the carmaker could install taller seats, leading to a better interior room. Both the middle and the last rows featured split-folding seatbacks that could greatly expand the trunk size. To increase the interior light, Toyota offered an option for a panoramic glass roof. The carmaker installed the infotainment system on the center stack and, above it, on the dashboard's middle, the Prius V sported the instrument cluster.

Toyota kept the same hybrid system as on the regular Prius, with a Ni-MH battery pack. Its powertrain offered 136 hp, including the 900 hp for the front-mounted thermic engine.