Christmas is now less than a week away and our writers are gearing up to begin reporting on the changes you will see in the new 2010 and 2011 hybrid SUV models. With holiday music filling my office, I am staring out the window at more than a foot of snow on the ground – pondering. What would be the one hybrid vehicle I’d like to see announced in the next 12 months? Well, as crazy as it sounds - it would have to be a Toyota Prius SUV or a Prius crossover vehicle.
There’s nothing wrong with a little dreaming this time of year, right? I was dreaming of a white Christmas and look how that turned out. Even so, I want to make it clear we’ve heard very little from Toyota that would lead us to really believe that Prius SUV’s are coming, not even by Christmas 2011. Yes, there was the “Hybrid X Concept” Toyota showed us at the Geneva Auto Show in 2007 (pictured above and with more details on Autoblog). I’m not sure if that one would qualify as a crossover or a sport wagon, but it was interesting.
Bloomberg reported in November that Toyota may be planning to turn the Prius into a full line of hybrid vehicles, taking advantage of the badge that is nearly synonymous with gas-electric cars. In that same article, Toyota’s Jim Lentz (executive VP of U.S. sales) was quoted as saying, “A smaller city car based on the Prius would have even higher fuel efficiency and would fit with a trend toward people moving into inner-city lofts. People also want to see more utility on the vehicle, so you could imagine something that’s a little more utility or crossover-based.”. Hmmm.
Toyota already offers a hybrid Highlander SUV, and they have hinted that a hybrid Rav4 could be on its way to Chinese markets in the near future, so would it even make sense to slap the Prius name on a new SUV or crossover? It’s equally as probable we could instead see a hybrid version of the Venza or Matrix. Either way, we may have an answer in three weeks as Toyota will unveil another hybrid vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show on January 11, 2010. Rumors are this one will be an even smaller hybrid – possibly based on the IQ (teaser photo to the left). Granted, it doesn’t look like a Prius SUV but it never hurts to dream, right Bing?
Update: As you likely know by now, the Prius SUV we wrote about here a while back turned out to be the Prius V (Vee for Versatile, not the Roman number 5). This isn’t quite an SUV but more of a wagon. We are learning more about it…including the starting price. 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
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