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TOYOTA Prius v/Prius+ Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2011
Engines: Hybrid
Body style: Van
TOYOTA Prius v/Prius+ photo gallery

The Prius + was introduced in 2011 as an MPV based on the Toyota Prius platform. Just four years later, it received a mild facelift to keep its sales up. It was also named Prius V.

The V in the name stands for Versatility and it was added to emphasize that the car could carry up to seven passengers. The heightened and extended roof made room for the third row of seats, where two not-so-big adults could sit. It was also good for carrying five adults and more luggage.

The 2015 model received some stylistic changes to the front and rear of the car. The car was fitted with the new LED headlights from Toyota, for both low and high-beam. They looked angrier. The fog lights were integrated into the bumper's new grille. In the back, the taillights received a new design, with red and clear lenses.

Inside, the Prius V received a new, 4.2” TFT display between the gauges, depending on the trim level. For the roof, the car was fitted with an option for a resin Panoramic View Moonroof with power retractable sunshades. It was 40-percent lighter than a conventional glass roof of a similar size. The standard audio system was upgraded to the latest version of the Toyota Entune Audio, with a 6.1” touch-screen on the center stack.

The 2015 Prius V kept the same powertrain as before, with a 1.8-liter dual VVTI Atkinson cycle engine and an electric motor. It received more safety features such as lane departure alert and automatic high-beam.

full description and technical specifications
TOYOTA Prius v/Prius+ photo gallery

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.

full description and technical specifications