That runs right over the competition for a comparably sized four-door five-seater, especially when factoring in the v’s expected $26,000 price tag. Traditional hybrids still offer an upfront price advantage over plug-in hybrids and pure electrics. The electric Chevrolet Volt, for example, costs $33,500 even after applying the $7,500 federal tax credit.
And the Prius offers yet another draw: an evolved and proven drivetrain.
The v is powered with the same Hybrid Synergy Drive as the third-generation Prius introduced last year. Its 1.8-liter gasoline engine works in combination with a pair of high-output electric motors and nickel-metal hydride batteries to make 134 net horsepower. Like the regular Prius, the v can be driven in gas, electric or a combined gas-electric mode, as determined by an onboard computer programmed to maximize efficiency.
What’s new with the v is that drivers can select between different drive modes by pressing buttons situated in the center console, within easy reach of idle fingers. There is no gear shift. The v uses a continuously variable transmission. “Eco” is for fuel economy. “EV” prompts the car to run on battery power alone. “Power” increases throttle response.
Driving in Eco mode might be good for the planet but at times it makes the car feel underpowered. The v strains to propel its 3,274 pounds forward. There was such a lag between pressing the accelerator and actually gaining speed from a dead stop that it felt a bit like driving a locomotive.
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