The Toyota Prius V is what happens when someone at Toyota asked whether a family could get the hybrid benefits of a Prius without giving up seat count. The answer is yes, mostly.
It runs the same 1.8-litre petrol-electric powertrain as the standard Prius, making 100kW combined. The extra length adds a third row of seats, though they're best suited to children or short journeys rather than adults on a highway run.
The middle row slides fore and aft, which gives you the option of prioritising legroom in the second row or space in the boot. It's a practical piece of thinking.
Fuel economy sits around 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, which is genuinely good for a vehicle that seats seven. The trade-off is a boot that shrinks considerably when all rows are occupied.
Handling is soft and the steering is light. This is a people mover with hybrid credentials, not a driver's car. It does that job with a calm competence.
If you're after a family wagon that sips fuel and doesn't embarrass you at the petrol station, the Prius V is worth considering.