Introducing the team that will bring you the Toyota Prius v Reviews.
Recently we had hundreds of mums apply to take part in the Toyota Prius v reviews. The gallery of mums with their families was fantastic to spend time browsing through! From all the mums who entered the team at Toyota have chosen the 5 mums they would like to conduct the Toyota Prius v reviews.
Each mum that has been selected to review will have a Toyota Prius v for 10 days – to test drive, see how it handles a busy mum and her family and review! In addition to this, each mum will also star in their very own video review of the Toyota Prius v!
Follow the MoM Review Team as they share their Toyota Prius v reviews.
The 5 mums that will conduct the Toyota Prius v reviews appear in the Gallery below.
To follow their adventures in the Toyota Prius v, read what they thought and how they rated the Toyota Prius v, simply click on their photo to visit their individual review page.
Introducing Toyota Prius v … contemporary style for the modern family.
For a versatile hybrid that looks as good as it drives, Prius v ticks all the boxes. With room for the entire family, this 7-seat wagon is as practical as it is stylish. From the daily commute to weekends away, smooth performance, ultra-low fuel consumption and six seating configurations for added versatility are just a few benefits.
Everything about this smart vehicle has been designed with versatility, comfort and style in mind.
On the outside …
When you start Prius v, you’ll be surprised at just how quiet it is. And thanks to Hybrid Synergy Drive®, you’ll enjoy fuel economy of 4.4L/100km1 – leaving you more to spend on the family! Prius v has unique styling designed to enhance aerodynamic performance and Prius v’s windscreen has been made with UV-reducing green glass and features innovative noise and vibration reduction capabilities, to keep the interior as peaceful as it can be with up to seven people on board.
On the inside …
What’s most impressive is Prius v’s versatility. You’ll find plenty of room for up to seven occupants, with three rows of seating and six different seating configurations. So whether you’re transporting extra friends or family, prams, golf clubs or suitcases, Prius v is incredibly accommodating. Simply make a few easy adjustments and the seats slide and fold into different configurations. The innovation continues with added features such as:
a 6 speaker system with USB2 port for your iPod®3.
BluetoothTM4 connectivity for hands-free mobile and music streaming.
6.1″ touch screen display with integrated Reverse Camera5 provides you with a view of what’s going on behind you.
Energy and fuel consumption displays provide valuable feedback so you can actively evaluate and change the way you drive, for even greater efficiency.
A vibrant colour combi-meter features a seatbelt reminder so that you know the whole family is buckled in.
Head Up Display with Touch Tracer technology projects valuable information like speed and temperature on your windscreen so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.
Smart Entry and Smart Start which allow you to lock and unlock the doors – and even start the engine – simply by carrying the key fob with you.
Take a virtual tour of Toyota Prius v …
Fuel consumption will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR81/02 Combined (L/100km) for auto modes.
Not all devices will be compatible and functionality will vary depending on the device.
iPod® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
The BluetoothTM word mark is owned by The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Not all devices will be compatible and functionality will vary depending on the device.
Reverse Camera is designed as a driver assist device only and should not be used as a substitute for skilled driving and/or safe parking practices. The area into which the vehicle is to be driven must be visually monitored by the driver.
Entry is open to all Mouths of Mums members and is open from Thursday 8 November 2012 until Monday 19 November 2012. Selected mums will be notified by email.
Last day then, return the car.... Wanted to dive into the sunset....and not to Toyota.....he he he
I was one of the privileged mums to test drive the Toyota Prius V for 10 days! Today was my last day. I had to return the car after my fantastic 10 day test drive.
:(
There are so many things that I'm going to miss from the Toyota Prius V......
The H.U.D (head up delay) ((my favourite thing))
Keyless entry
The little button on the boot that I found 2 days go, to lock the car and not have to press a button on the key
Push start button to start the car
Reverse camera
Large GPS/NatSav
Bluetooth connectivity
iPod connectivity
IPA (intelligent park assist)
Great seat configuration for my family of 2 adults, 4 kids and the occasional friend/s tacked on
Fuel efficiency
Seat comfort
Heat seaters
And...the kids are going to miss the double moon roof
Well after listing all my likes, I think all I can about the Toyota Prius V, is OH WHAT A FEELING! Loved driving it. Want one, and fingers crossed may get one.....one day....hopefully sooner rather than later!
OH WHAT A FEELING.....ALL 4 KIDLETS IN SCHOOL......
Ok I haven't posted anything for a couple of days. Had some finishing touches to do with getting everything ready for school. So my challenge today, seeing I am now child free, as my youngest started prep today, is to try out the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist). This is where you can, I'm hoping, easily reverse park or just reverse your car into a parking spot with just a touch of a couple of buttons.....no hands, just keeping your foot in the brake to gently ease into the parking spot. The challenge is set....I'll give it a good hard go.....to keep everyone entertained whilst trying master this, hope you all have a good laugh at my photo taken this morning before we headed off to school. My eldest starting high school, and my youngest starting Prep. What more can I say than.... OH WHAT A FEELING!
Happy chappy's all round....seats 7 with ease....love it!
Has a busy day today. Had our niece and nephew stay last night with our 4 munchkins before school goes back this week. Was happy to say we could drop them off in the afternoon, with 7 seats in the Prius V. Now how would I cope with 6 kids in the car? (hubby went for a ride on his bike)......as you can see in the photo attached....EASY, and everyone happy! All the kids loved the car, easy to put them all in, 2 in the boot area, 3 in the back seat, biggest one in passenger set. All were excited when I opened the double moon roof. Nice to have on a nice sunny day. Bluetooth for my iPhone was terrific! Phone calls made easily and songs on my phone played by the kids sounded great in the car. The reverse camera was also great getting on our way. The boot section was sufficient for the two bags and scooter! But not much more room to fit anything else in. But love this car, and would love to keep it.
Went at picked up the car this morning from Toyota. Was extremely happy with the handover from Bill, going through the gadgets and gizmos in the car. Love the keyless entry and start. Push a button off for the brake, then push start and you're off! It's so quiet I didn't think it was on.
After picking the car up, I went with the family in tow in the other car, as I needed to get there somehow, to Costco. Thought I'd see how the boot compared to our current car, in terms if boot size. Was very surprised how much we could fit in it. There would have been a photo, but everyone was too excited to unpack and go for a drive....so next time! My youngest loved the seats in the second row, so much so, he fell asleep on the way home. The front seats are very comfortable, my eldest just loved that can be heated, mind you it wasn't cold today but had to try them out. Very impressed with the car,evn though only Avignon it for a day. Maybe for my fortieth this year hubby can buy me one. He he he.....
The Prius v is a car for a family like ours. I wish I had seen it when we were looking to downside our 7 seater 4WD (it was just too big for city driving/parking and as a one income family the fuel and servicing costs were too much). We looked at a few different 7 seater cars but none of them fit the bill.
If you were thinking you had to buy an SUV for room for the family I think you should definately head to a Toyota dealer to see the Prius v - it is spacious like a SUV but also offers amazing fuel economy, more maneuverability and versatilty at an affordable price.
Well, our much anticipated family visitor has arrived and she is quite a looker!! My very first impression was how sleek & stylish the Prius v is, especially for a seven seater. Jack & Lauren were quick to jump in & explore as soon as Nikki got out.......pressing as many buttons they could find, then making their way over to the back......."lots of room back here Mum". Then it was off on our first drive to drop the lovely Nikki back into the city for her next appt. Feels great to drive......has the classic Toyota feel, easy to maneuver, good grip on the road and ohhh soooo quiet. Looking forward to putting her through her paces over the next ten days, and reviewing specific aspects of the Prius v along the way. 6036km on the clock now & a full tank to start with........lets goooo!!
Bluetooth.....hands free..... touch free telephony in car....What a bonus!
One of the things I haven't really investigated whilst having the Prius v was the Bluetooth function in regards to phoning someone whilst driving. How easy it was! No need to upload your contacts into car's computer. Great!
Getting tea for the tribe tonight, 2 wanted pizza, 2 wanted fish n chips. Ordered the pizza at home, then on the road decided to see if I could phone for fish n chips by the Bluetooth function and could I access my phone contacts in my iPhone. Pushed the speak button twice, and said "call fish and chips"....a prompt on the Nat Sav screen told to wait, then the number came up in the screen. A voice said there was 3 options but could just continue with that number displayed or one of the other 2, spoke clearly "continue"...and I was putting in my order, on the road without having to pull over to talk. Pressed the hang up button and was off the phone, order was in, without even touching my phone. It's safe to use whilst driving and easy to use. I didn't even have to look up the manual! Fantastic! :)
We spent most of the time today zipping around doing a few last minute Christmas errands. Am loooooving the fact I don't have to struggle with keys whilst juggling bags, & shopping & holding kids hands. As long as the keys are in my bag we just need to pull the handle & we're in.....don't even need to press any buttons. Then when we get out just a one finger tap on the driver door handle & we're all locked up.....can it get any easier???
Parking is a breeze in the Prius with the reversing camera. We have one in our Kluger, so it's no longer a novelty. It makes getting into those squishy city parking spaces all that easier (no more driving around searching for a park that looks easier to get into & out of.......they are all easy now). Mind you it did not stop one silly man from darting out behind me, without looking, in a car park.....so over shoulder checks are still a must!!
I found the centre-of-dash information screens a little weird to get used to at first (am so used to looking through the steering wheel for this driver info), but it is actually easier to view quickly once you are familiar with the screen layout. The head-up speed display that projects onto the base of the windscreen was also a little disconcerting at first. I thought it might be distracting when I was driving but am amazed how it just seems to disappear if you are not consciously checking your speed.......it is not distracting at all & is far easier to check your speed whilst driving without taking your eyes off the road. The height & reach adjustment for the steering wheel along with all the controls & switches being within easy reach makes city driving easier & safer.
We had a bit of a play with seat configurations today......toooo easy, but will report back on this topic once I have been a passenger in every row, and not just the driver........hmmmmm I suppose that means I will have to give my husband a turn behind the wheel ???
Ok I think I've mastered the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist)...it's a long review...but I liked it....handy...
Managed to squeeze in a moment today to try out the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist), in the Prius V, minus my 4 kidlets having started school today (the attached photo taken by my daughter after I had practiced a few times and after school pickup, the kidlets thought it was very clever).
One little thing was the instructions weren't in the manual, but fortunately found a great tutorial on You Tube! Well it was really easy to use after finally figuring out what the button was for.
There are 2 settings : Press once for parallel parking. Press the button twice to reverse into park between 2 parked cars.
To parallel park: Press the IPA button once before you get to the park you want, drive slowly past the spot you want to park in. A diagram displays on navigation system how far to slowly keep going, then you brake, adjust where the parked car is if needed, then put the gear in reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel, slowly release your foot on the brake and the car parallel parks for you. Great if you're not sure or uneasy to parallel park.
To reverse in a car spot: If you see a spot to park, press the IPA button twice before you get to the parking spot. Slowly drive past the park and veer out ready to reverse, till a little beep lets you know it's time to center your steering wheel. Adjust where the parked cars are that you're parking between, put into reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel , slowly release your foot off the brake and let the car do all the work.
I must admit I found the reversing option a little more difficult than the parallel parking option. Or it could have been my error trying to do it at the local shop car park.
So not an all 5 star rating, as it wasn't in the manual, but overall, loved it, and would be great for those who are uneasy on parallel or reversing parking. Thumbs up from me.
The last 2 days have seen us concerntrate on seat configuration. The Prius v offers a 7 seat ride - the driver and passenger seats both fully recline, the 2nd row of 3 seats move like a regular front passenger seat (a feature I really like) and the 3rd row seats fold up and down. It offers amazing flexibilty for the interior of the car. Of course, many families need to have car seats installed and once they're in it all becomes a little more inflexible. FYI the 2nd row of seats has 3 anchor points.
For us, we only have 1 car seat installed for Mr4, we have placed that behind the passenger seat. Miss7 sits in any of the remaining seats and has tried them all, she has announced that all are "great" but prefers to sit in the seat next to her brother - for the best view of the road ahead and of the satnav map.
Yesterday Miss7 turned 7 and we invited 3 of her friends over to play since we have the 7 seater I offered to drive them all home afterwards. 5 children in the car and all very comfortable! Definately fantastic to have the extra seats for times like these. Even if we did need another car seat installed the middle seat of the 2nd row is still plenty roomie enough so you could still have 5 in the car - all the Mums and Dads who came to look at the car were mightily impressed by that, especially those with 3 children.
Today we did a few jobs, we dropped off some donations for Lifeline, bought a flatpak desk and stopped at the hardware store for supplies. Normally to complete these shopping tasks we'd all go together as a family to window shop then either hubby or I would return to buy the items after we'd dropped everyone back home, as there simply isn't room in our current car for the family and large shopping items. For extra large items such as the roll of weedmatting we bought we'd usually have to borrow the 4wd from our parents. Not with the Prius v, the flatpak desk was placed in the rear of the car - in what is referred to as extra luggage mode, the weedmat etc we used long luggage mode and the 4 of us could still fit in the car! Thus we saved even more fuel as we didn;t have to make the 2nd trip back to the store - more shopping money!
(Speaking of fuel, we have travelled 315km and not even used 1/2 tank of fuel. Impressive.)
For interior flexibility I'd give the car a 10/10, I'd buy this car for this reason alone. You'd think with all these extra seats and space that the car would be large but it actually isn't much bigger than our current car. It easily fits in to our older style narrow garage, something our old 7 seat 4wd didn't do and the Prius v fits more into it - is cheaper to run and I suspect cheaper to service.....
Last day then, return the car.... Wanted to dive into the sunset....and not to Toyota.....he he he
I was one of the privileged mums to test drive the Toyota Prius V for 10 days! Today was my last day. I had to return the car after my fantastic 10 day test drive.
:(
There are so many things that I'm going to miss from the Toyota Prius V......
The H.U.D (head up delay) ((my favourite thing))
Keyless entry
The little button on the boot that I found 2 days go, to lock the car and not have to press a button on the key
Push start button to start the car
Reverse camera
Large GPS/NatSav
Bluetooth connectivity
iPod connectivity
IPA (intelligent park assist)
Great seat configuration for my family of 2 adults, 4 kids and the occasional friend/s tacked on
Fuel efficiency
Seat comfort
Heat seaters
And...the kids are going to miss the double moon roof
Well after listing all my likes, I think all I can about the Toyota Prius V, is OH WHAT A FEELING! Loved driving it. Want one, and fingers crossed may get one.....one day....hopefully sooner rather than later!
Bluetooth.....hands free..... touch free telephony in car....What a bonus!
One of the things I haven't really investigated whilst having the Prius v was the Bluetooth function in regards to phoning someone whilst driving. How easy it was! No need to upload your contacts into car's computer. Great!
Getting tea for the tribe tonight, 2 wanted pizza, 2 wanted fish n chips. Ordered the pizza at home, then on the road decided to see if I could phone for fish n chips by the Bluetooth function and could I access my phone contacts in my iPhone. Pushed the speak button twice, and said "call fish and chips"....a prompt on the Nat Sav screen told to wait, then the number came up in the screen. A voice said there was 3 options but could just continue with that number displayed or one of the other 2, spoke clearly "continue"...and I was putting in my order, on the road without having to pull over to talk. Pressed the hang up button and was off the phone, order was in, without even touching my phone. It's safe to use whilst driving and easy to use. I didn't even have to look up the manual! Fantastic! :)
Ok I think I've mastered the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist)...it's a long review...but I liked it....handy...
Managed to squeeze in a moment today to try out the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist), in the Prius V, minus my 4 kidlets having started school today (the attached photo taken by my daughter after I had practiced a few times and after school pickup, the kidlets thought it was very clever).
One little thing was the instructions weren't in the manual, but fortunately found a great tutorial on You Tube! Well it was really easy to use after finally figuring out what the button was for.
There are 2 settings : Press once for parallel parking. Press the button twice to reverse into park between 2 parked cars.
To parallel park: Press the IPA button once before you get to the park you want, drive slowly past the spot you want to park in. A diagram displays on navigation system how far to slowly keep going, then you brake, adjust where the parked car is if needed, then put the gear in reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel, slowly release your foot on the brake and the car parallel parks for you. Great if you're not sure or uneasy to parallel park.
To reverse in a car spot: If you see a spot to park, press the IPA button twice before you get to the parking spot. Slowly drive past the park and veer out ready to reverse, till a little beep lets you know it's time to center your steering wheel. Adjust where the parked cars are that you're parking between, put into reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel , slowly release your foot off the brake and let the car do all the work.
I must admit I found the reversing option a little more difficult than the parallel parking option. Or it could have been my error trying to do it at the local shop car park.
So not an all 5 star rating, as it wasn't in the manual, but overall, loved it, and would be great for those who are uneasy on parallel or reversing parking. Thumbs up from me.
OH WHAT A FEELING.....ALL 4 KIDLETS IN SCHOOL......
Ok I haven't posted anything for a couple of days. Had some finishing touches to do with getting everything ready for school. So my challenge today, seeing I am now child free, as my youngest started prep today, is to try out the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist). This is where you can, I'm hoping, easily reverse park or just reverse your car into a parking spot with just a touch of a couple of buttons.....no hands, just keeping your foot in the brake to gently ease into the parking spot. The challenge is set....I'll give it a good hard go.....to keep everyone entertained whilst trying master this, hope you all have a good laugh at my photo taken this morning before we headed off to school. My eldest starting high school, and my youngest starting Prep. What more can I say than.... OH WHAT A FEELING!
Another busy day. Had one if my girls' friends for a play today. Hubby and I decided to go for a drive to a great park with all the kids in tow. This time I gave hubby a chance to try out the Prius v. He loved how comfy the seat was whilst driving. Loved the HUD (head up display) for showing your speed whilst driving. It really makes you take more care of your speed. Loved to be able connect his phone to bluetooth with ease. Having not driven a hybrid car before, the one thing he did was to put it power mode for the drive to give it a boost, especially taking off at lights. Another great day out and about in the Prius V. Overall a big thumbs up for the Toyota Prius V. Fantastic news for me, I might get my birthday wish.
Happy chappy's all round....seats 7 with ease....love it!
Has a busy day today. Had our niece and nephew stay last night with our 4 munchkins before school goes back this week. Was happy to say we could drop them off in the afternoon, with 7 seats in the Prius V. Now how would I cope with 6 kids in the car? (hubby went for a ride on his bike)......as you can see in the photo attached....EASY, and everyone happy! All the kids loved the car, easy to put them all in, 2 in the boot area, 3 in the back seat, biggest one in passenger set. All were excited when I opened the double moon roof. Nice to have on a nice sunny day. Bluetooth for my iPhone was terrific! Phone calls made easily and songs on my phone played by the kids sounded great in the car. The reverse camera was also great getting on our way. The boot section was sufficient for the two bags and scooter! But not much more room to fit anything else in. But love this car, and would love to keep it.
Went at picked up the car this morning from Toyota. Was extremely happy with the handover from Bill, going through the gadgets and gizmos in the car. Love the keyless entry and start. Push a button off for the brake, then push start and you're off! It's so quiet I didn't think it was on.
After picking the car up, I went with the family in tow in the other car, as I needed to get there somehow, to Costco. Thought I'd see how the boot compared to our current car, in terms if boot size. Was very surprised how much we could fit in it. There would have been a photo, but everyone was too excited to unpack and go for a drive....so next time! My youngest loved the seats in the second row, so much so, he fell asleep on the way home. The front seats are very comfortable, my eldest just loved that can be heated, mind you it wasn't cold today but had to try them out. Very impressed with the car,evn though only Avignon it for a day. Maybe for my fortieth this year hubby can buy me one. He he he.....
The Prius v is a car for a family like ours. I wish I had seen it when we were looking to downside our 7 seater 4WD (it was just too big for city driving/parking and as a one income family the fuel and servicing costs were too much). We looked at a few different 7 seater cars but none of them fit the bill.
If you were thinking you had to buy an SUV for room for the family I think you should definately head to a Toyota dealer to see the Prius v - it is spacious like a SUV but also offers amazing fuel economy, more maneuverability and versatilty at an affordable price.
Still haven't filled up the petrol tank, 684 km driven so far - amazing.
During the time we have had the Prius v to test drive we have experienced many different driving situations - rush hour, a long traffic jam due to an accident, regular local running around, scenic driving up the mountain, highway driving etc. To begin with I really noticed the lack of power as you first accelerated and found it a little disconcerting to not being able to keep up with the cars ahead, however it only takes a few more seconds for the Prius v to reach the same speed and after a week I barely notice it. The lack of power was evident as we climbed Mt Coot-tha today but, hey, it's a scenic drive anyway :-) In summary the lack of power is only slightly noticable starting out from a traffic light change or quite noticable going up mountains.
I do enjoy driving the car. The steering feels light but the car feels solid on the road and handles corners well, its a car I feel very safe in.
Safety features of the Prius v include 7 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS brakes all which contribute to a smooth, safe drive. I think that the Pre Collison Safety System is a brilliant idea and, although I actually never want to try it for myself, would love to see it in action. The Prius is ahead of it's time in car safety, I am extremely impressed with the level Toyota has achieved.
All up the Prius v offers a smooth, comfortable ride in all road and traffic conditions.
Day 5 of our test drive, using the smart entry and smart start is beginning to feel second nature, the key fob hasn't left my handbag in 5 days. The Prius v senses the fob wirelessly as you near the car, press a button and doors unlock/lock, press a button and the car starts. Very clever and much easier than rummaging around in my bag searching for the keys especially when I am in the car park with small children and numerous shopping bags.
There are many instruments and controls in the Prius v and it has taken some getting use to them all, in fact even after all this time I am still finding more functions. Today I found the Intelligent Park Assist button but rather wished I hadn't. Hubby and I read the manual with it's clear as mud instructions, spent 15 minutes trying to park using it but with no success, quite frustrating. Perhaps I might pop by the dealer and ask them to show me how to operate it...
I love the HUD (Heads Up Display) which projects a readout of speed, satnav, audio etc on to the windscreen using Touch Tracer controls located on the steering wheel. Makes for easier, safer driving as your eyes stay up looking at the road.
Today I was mostly the passenger and I used that time to explore the car audio features, satnav, bluetooth, ipod connectivity - I was busy for quite some time as there are many interesting buttons to push! The features themselves are very easy to use, I spent my time going through the layers of menu options. The front passenger of the Prius v i-tech will never be bored ;-)
In summary, lots of buttons which seemed a little overwhelming at first but now that I know their functions I'm thinking "Wow, what a clever car"
P.S. 5 days, 514km travelled in ECO mode and we still have 1/3 tank of fuel!! Incredible.
The other features are seamless to use, satnav very straight forward, car audio the same
The last 2 days have seen us concerntrate on seat configuration. The Prius v offers a 7 seat ride - the driver and passenger seats both fully recline, the 2nd row of 3 seats move like a regular front passenger seat (a feature I really like) and the 3rd row seats fold up and down. It offers amazing flexibilty for the interior of the car. Of course, many families need to have car seats installed and once they're in it all becomes a little more inflexible. FYI the 2nd row of seats has 3 anchor points.
For us, we only have 1 car seat installed for Mr4, we have placed that behind the passenger seat. Miss7 sits in any of the remaining seats and has tried them all, she has announced that all are "great" but prefers to sit in the seat next to her brother - for the best view of the road ahead and of the satnav map.
Yesterday Miss7 turned 7 and we invited 3 of her friends over to play since we have the 7 seater I offered to drive them all home afterwards. 5 children in the car and all very comfortable! Definately fantastic to have the extra seats for times like these. Even if we did need another car seat installed the middle seat of the 2nd row is still plenty roomie enough so you could still have 5 in the car - all the Mums and Dads who came to look at the car were mightily impressed by that, especially those with 3 children.
Today we did a few jobs, we dropped off some donations for Lifeline, bought a flatpak desk and stopped at the hardware store for supplies. Normally to complete these shopping tasks we'd all go together as a family to window shop then either hubby or I would return to buy the items after we'd dropped everyone back home, as there simply isn't room in our current car for the family and large shopping items. For extra large items such as the roll of weedmatting we bought we'd usually have to borrow the 4wd from our parents. Not with the Prius v, the flatpak desk was placed in the rear of the car - in what is referred to as extra luggage mode, the weedmat etc we used long luggage mode and the 4 of us could still fit in the car! Thus we saved even more fuel as we didn;t have to make the 2nd trip back to the store - more shopping money!
(Speaking of fuel, we have travelled 315km and not even used 1/2 tank of fuel. Impressive.)
For interior flexibility I'd give the car a 10/10, I'd buy this car for this reason alone. You'd think with all these extra seats and space that the car would be large but it actually isn't much bigger than our current car. It easily fits in to our older style narrow garage, something our old 7 seat 4wd didn't do and the Prius v fits more into it - is cheaper to run and I suspect cheaper to service.....
Today we took the Prius v I-tech up to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane, it's a regular trip we make to see family, usually we go through 1/2 a tank (our car is of a similar class) but the Prius fuel gauge has barely moved, we didn't use even 1/4 of a tank!!!! I am amazed at the fuel efficiency of this car using ECO drive mode.
Also impressed by the level of car comfort, the front seats are very supportive, they are 6 way adjustable including being equipped with adjustable lumbar support, I felt no driver fatigue during the journey.
The basic cruise control is very easy to use, I forgot to have a play with it before I left home but it was the same as what we have in our current car. What we don't have in our current car but is a feature of the i-tech is dynamic radar cruise control - described by Toyota , "This intelligent technology uses millimetre-wave radar sensors to detect the speed of the vehicle ahead, and automatically adjusts your speed to ensure you there's always a set range between you." To use you merely press a button on the steering wheel and you don't even have to worry about maintaining the gap between you and the car in front! Fantastic on the highway when light congestion occurs and everyone returns to correct speed quickly.
Car performance and features on this type of drive = 9/10
Back to Sydney on 1/2 a tank......now that's showing off !
An added bonus for us this trip was being able to meet up 'Nanma & Poppy', who just happenned to be in Dubbo, from Lightning Ridge. Of course we just had to take them for a spin, in the Prius v, so the kids were relegated to the 3rd row and we all went out for dinner.......once again, something we would not be able to do in one car if we didn't have that 3rd row........it's almost a necessity these days if you want to be able to offer a ride, or pick up extras.
The next morning we repacked the car and headed east while Nanma & Poppy headed back to The Ridge. This time we made it home on 1/2 a tank !! When looking at the average fuel consumption for the round trip, I was surprised to see that we averaged 4.9litres/100km. I thought it would be higher having gone over the blue mountains twice and with the amount of highway driving.....just amazing!!
The other little thing that I got to fully appreciate on the trip home were the retractable shades on the rear door windows. The sun was blistering leaving Dubbo, & stayed that way for the majority of the drive, but the kids were both comfortable with the shades up. I wish I had these when the kids were babies, instead of constantly struggling ill fitting sock type shades, or ones that sort of suctioned on to the window, or the common last resort of using a baby wrap tucked over the top with the door shut. Inbuilt, retractable window shades......pure genius !!!
Given the weather was so hot in Dubbo, we decided to drive the Prius v around the zoo rather than hire one of the open safari cars. This ended up being a very wise decision as poor Jack was unwell and we ended up having to leave after only a couple of hours. We got to cruise in air conditioned comfort then jump out when we wanted to have a closer look at things. As the speed limit was only 10km/hr around the zoo, we pretty much crept silently from one area to the next. It was quite hilarious to see the looks of surprise on the faces of those doing a walking safari, when they casually glanced behind and saw us.......omg....where did they come from?
FUEL ALERT....and still 25km to Dubbo......did we make it ?????
Haaaaa, of course we did ! I wasn't worried at all.....ok, well......maybe just a little. I don't know about you but as soon as that little red petrol pump light comes on I am always a little anxious until I drive into a Service Station.
We had decided to refuel as soon as we got down to one bar on the fuel gauge. We didn't want to risk conking out on a country road with tired, grumpy kids and a greatly diminished snack supply. Unfortunately when we finally did hit one bar on the fuel gauge the service stations were few & far between.......no, make that non-existent.......on the route we chose to take.
When the fuel alert came on we were still 25km out but were pretty sure with the CVT (continuously variable transmission) we would be ok, as we were mostly going at speeds less than 100km/hr due to roads and were constantly changing between petrol & electric power.
One of my favourite things in the Prius v is the graphical display where you can actually see where your are drawing your power from. It really helped me understand CVT, and it was comforting being able to see at a glance when we were on electric power (especially when the fuel alert light was on).
Soooo, we made it, right to our motel, then popped around the corner to fill up! Here are our final stats:
Darlington to Dubbo = 393km on just over 1/2 tank of fuel
Total distance on one tank of fuel in 7 days of combined city & highway driving = 612km
Cost to refill with premium unleaded fuel = $60
We are really impressed & think the numbers speak for themself.
We enjoyed our journey through the Blue mountains in the Prius v. The visibility is great & the kids had no problems seeing as we pointed things out along the way. As expected she didn't have the 'pick up' that we are used to in our Kluger but managed well when in Power mode. The winding roads were easy to navigate and the car felt sure-footed & safe on the bends.
We made a quick stop at the "The Explorers' Tree at Katoomba, but unfortunately it was all roped off as it was damaged in an accident earlier in the year so we couldn't even get a snapshot :( I bet Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth would have loved a Prius v to help them through the mountains in 1813 !
So far all our driving has been zipping around the city (& mighty fine it is too) but we really wanted to give the Prius v a good run so we decided to have a pre-holiday, mini get away, before heading to Qld for Christmas! Yes.....madness.....I know, right? But we have this amazing car & a few spare days so why not squish in a whirlwind trip to the Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. It's around about 390km from our place to Dubbo so that will give the Prius v a great workout........EXCITED!
Ok then......all packed.... luggage, Christmas gifts for family, books, snacks....oh, & kids. We're off......starting with the fuel gauge at 1bar over half a tank. We haven't filled up since the Prius v arrived a week ago so fuel economy has been great around the city. I expect once we are at highway speeds we will have greater consumption......but want to see just how far we can get before refueling.
Keith is driving the first drive leg and with the current speed limit of 110km/hr says she feels lovely & smooth. Looking forward to seeing how she handles driving through the Blue Mountains. Jack and Lauren both comfy with loads of room in the middle row, as am I as the front passenger.
Must say though, we are a little disappointed at the "cup holder status" of the Prius v. All doors have a space for an average size water bottle, but for kids in booster seats in the 2nd row, these are too hard to reach. We have already had water bottles dropped in car seats and some minor spillage which of course lead to tears! Cup holders in the front centre console & 3rd row only fit small diameter water bottles, & most cups/bottles/kids drink bottles these days are larger than this :( We were surprised as we have never had this issue in other Toyota vehicles. In any case it is a minor issue.......everything else is spot on.
3rd row lowdown......grownups fit, but best for kids
I finally got my chance to be a passenger in the 3rd row today. Firstly it was relatively easy to get in & out, but taller or larger people might struggle. The seat itself was actually more comfy than I had imagined, even though it was less bolstered than the front & middle rows. I sat next to Lauren in her booster seat & felt I had plenty of room seat wise although I felt a little closed in with less head room. Easy row of the Prius v sits slightly higher than the row in front. A great idea to ensure every passenger gets great visibility but if you are tall your head gets closer to the roof as you head toward the rear of the car.......I am 5,9" so I imagine Keith, at 6,3" could even be hitting his head on the roof if we went over any big bumps......hmmmm not sure if I should test that?
Leg room wise it wasn't too bad, but I had no one in the seat in front of me so it wasn't an issue. You definitely couldn't have 3 tall people down one side of the car. With Keith driving, he has the driver seat pretty much all the way back so the leg room for Jack, sitting behind him in a booster seat, was also a little tight.
All this being said, the third row is still more than adequate for short trips, but really best suits the kids, or those who are a little more vertically challenged. The overall leg room throughout the whole car is also easily managed by rearranging seating around the specific heights of the occupants (although if you are all tall, then things could get tricky).
(Have added a snap taken from the 3rd row......you can just make out my knees in the bottom of the pic)
Cool & comfortable in the heat.....but Spider-Man & Barbie's cars are better!
After much running around over the past two days we celebrated our Sydney Christmas & Keith's birthday all in one....today!! Would have loved to slapped a big red bow on the Prius v and said "Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas Baby".......oh how I wish...... but he was more than happy with a few less impressive pressies. I did manage a cooked breakfast for the occasion but then I was off with the kids to dance classes & my darling husband was left in charge of the Christmas dinner.
It was a hot one in Sydney today so it seemed like we were reverting to petrol power the majority of the time, as we were relying heavily on the aircon. The kids had decided they were travelling in the 3rd row today (just to mix it up a bit.....as is their want) but by the time I was lovely & cool in the front they were saying they were still hot....though not so hot that they would move to the middle seats :)
After dancing it was off over the bridge to pick up Nan & Pop & then head home for "Christmas". This was Nan & Pop's first drive in the Prius V & they were impressed with the amount of room & were amazed that there were 7 seats. Of course we had to call Keith on our way back, blue tooth & hands free of course, & all sing Happy Birthday!! (Keith said it was really clear his end too). What was most impressive with this was that my phone was in the dance bag right at the back of the car. Once Bluetooth is activated & phone paired, as soon as you get in you are connected for calls & music regardless of where your phone is in the car, and all operations can be made through the steering wheel controls.....just love it!
We talked about getting a pic of Nan & Pop with the Prius v, but alas they said they were too camera shy. So for this post, I have attached a Christmas snap of Jack & Lauren who, unlike Keith, actually did get a car each this Christmas. I'm sorry Prius v, but I think you have been outshone by Spider-Man's super awesome "wheels" & the Barbie glamour car......(well, at least in Jack & Lozzie's eyes). Merry Christmas everyone :)
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Article
12 Best Kids’ Lunch Boxes For School In Australia
The right lunch box helps keep little humans nourished while making life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia in one handy spot.
Kids’ lunch boxes have come a very long way. No longer just plastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are heaps of different styles to choose from, and if you head to the bottom of this article, you’ll find more information on what to look for, how to choose the right one for your child, and even what to put in it!
Whether you’re after a colourful lunch box to match that new drink bottle, or a machine-washable option that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to lunch box shopping, check out our comparison table below as a handy guide. (Use the bottom slider to see all brands)
The table below is a guide only. Products are subject to changes by brands.
MontiiCo
B.Box
Frank Green Lunch Container
Yumbox
Sky Gazer
Bentgo Modern
The Somewhere Co. Mini
EcoCocoon
Bright Star Kids
Stuck On You
Country Road Elysia
OmieBox
Style
Bag
Bento
Box
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Colour variations
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Material
Fabric & aluminium lining
PP & silicone
Stainless steel & silicone
ABS, tritan & silicone
Fabric & PEVA lining
BPA-free plastic
RPET & aluminium foil lining
Stainless steel & silicone
Fabric & insulation lining
BPA-free plastic
100% cotton canvas & insulation lining
Stainless steel, plastic & silicone
Start price
$42.95
$27.95
$79.95
$49.95
$34.99
$39.95
$38
$84.95
$39.95
$54.95
$59.95
$89.95
Loved forits
Roomy size & machine washable design
Custom divider
3-in-1 design
Portion-controlled sections
Unique designs
Removable sandwich divider
Shoulder strap
Dishwasher-safe parts
Personalisation
Leak-proof silicone seal
Internal name label
Storage for hot and cold food
Mouths Of Mums Kids’ Lunch Boxes Comparison Table. (The products above are featured in our shortlist below.)
How to choose the best lunch box for school
When you’re searching for a kids’ lunch box, take the time to work out what will best suit their needs. If you make the right choice and invest in a quality one, it will last many years.
Box, bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a great choice. Also, think about whether they prefer cut-up or whole fruit; a bento is better suited to cut food, while bags and boxes suit whole fruit. Bags are fantastic if you like to pack separate containers, like smaller bento or snack containers.
Freshness is a must – An insulated bag or box will keep everything cool and fresh until snack and lunchtime. But you can also get boxes that come with cold and ice packs. Remember, kids’ lunches often sit at room temperature for up to 5 or 6 hours before they’re eaten, so insulation and coolness are important. Check out how to keep school lunches safe in the heat.
Easy-to-clean design – Check if the box is dishwasher-safe, or for lunch bags, if they’re machine-washable.
Leak-proof – The last thing you want is a soggy mess at lunchtime, so if buying a hard lunch box, look for designs that are leak-proof with proper seals.
Child-friendly – Depending on your child’s motor skills and independence, you may need to start with a product that’s simple to open and close.
The right size – We tend to pack way too much in our kids’ lunches, so think about how much realistically you’ll need to pack for your child when choosing the size of their lunch box. You may also need to consider the size of their school bags.
12 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids In Australia
Ready to get back-to-school sorted? From stainless steel gems to beautiful bentos, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. So sit back and enjoy our curated Mom Guide of the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia.
These award-winning lunch bags have sold over 200,000 units – and it’s clear to see why. The interior of each large bag measures 29cm x 23.5cm x 7.5cm, making them big enough to fit multiple containers and even many popular bento boxes. Each bag comes with an ice pack for up to eight hours of cooling – and you have a massive range of designs to choose from.
Pros:
Interior name label
Fabulous large size fits everything!
Comes with an ice pack for day-long cooling
“A vote for montii co lunch boxes, lunch bags and freezer bricks (they really do stay frozen all day!!” (Megan)
“Montii lunch bags are the best and the freezer brick can stay frozen for ages I forgot one day and it was still cold after 24hrs”(Sarah)
Tired of apples not fitting in hard lunch boxes? b.box has solved this with its flexible ‘whole fruit holder’ that bends around the fruit rather than squashing it – genius! If you’re not keen on cutting up a fruit salad every day, this multi-compartment two-litre lunch box has handy homes for everything. It also comes with a gel cooler pack (a must for Aussie summer!), and it’s freezer-safe. Choose from a range of colours.
Pros:
Leak-proof silicone seal
Comes with a gel cooler pack
The square section is big enough for a regular sandwich
“B-box lunch boxes are the best…all parts come out so you can wash them super easy! So many awesome accessories available for them too!”(Kerrie)
“BBox lunch boxes are great and they fit in the large Montiico lunch bags. As someone has said, the ice brick that comes with it is amazing too”(Tash)
“I really like the B.Box lunch boxes.”(Kendal)
“Bbox is the winner in our community on repeat.”(Mums On A Budget)
Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their drink bottle. It comes in a gorgeous range of colours suited to all ages and uses 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel and quality silicone lids. Monograms, bumper guards and ice bricks are all available separately.
Pros:
Leak-resistant design for mess-free travel
Comes with two microwave-safe removable containers
Customisable with your choice of bumper, ice brick and monogramming (at an additional cost)
With the option of four, five or six compartments, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. They feature handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contain absolutely no BPA or phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy cleaning.
Pros:
Top rack dishwasher-safe
Includes five half-cup sections for portion control
Sections are labelled to help parents with a balanced lunch
If your little (or not-so-little) one wants a lunch bag everyone will comment on, this is it. Available in a range of stunning designs, they come with a long and strong handle and easy-use zippers. But good looks aside, what’s winning heart about these is their capacity – they hold up to seven litres of food!
After something a bit more mature? Bentgo’s Modern lunch boxes are a great option. They have a sleek matte finish in a choice of four stylish shades, including Mint Green, Orchid, Dark Grey and Navy. Each is cleverly designed with a removable divider that allows you to choose between using three or four compartments. Even better, they are leak-proof, microwave-safe and fine to pop in the dishwasher.
Colourful and easy to carry, these bags are insulated, eco-friendly and secure. It features aluminium foil lining that keeps food fresh all day long, and it comes with top-level carry handles and a shoulder strap, which is brilliant for those days when kids have a lot to tote. Choose from a range of styles.
Pros:
Roomy and stylish
Shoulder strap makes carrying easy (and great if schoolbags are too full!)
Zip-front pocket handy for cold packs or notes from mum
Large enough for the hungriest of school kids, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. No more soggy anything! There are five handy compartments to make sure all of the food groups are ticked off, with a large compartment perfect for sandwiches, and smaller ones for snacks.
Pros:
Dishwasher-safe
Every compartment is leak-proof
Easy to open and close (suitable for younger kids)
Practical and customisable with your child’s name, these insulated bags tick all the boxes. You have a choice of five bag colours, and from there you get to choose from a huge range of designs and fonts to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, a secure zip closure and enough internal space to fit a medium bento box.
Pros:
Machine-washable
Internal mesh pocket for an ice brick
With their name on it, you won’t need to visit lost property!
With a leak-proof silicone seal, these colourful lunch companions keep sauces and dips right where they belong. They come with six compartments, which convert to three for easy washing on the top shelf of the dishwasher. They’re free from any nasties and customisation with your child’s name – no more lost property, yay! Choose from box colours of Matte Navy, Pink Lemonade, Dusky Blue or Seafoam Green- if you can!
Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these contemporary bags are perfect for kids of all ages who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a 100% cotton canvas outer, an insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Just as great for preschool as they are for high school.
Pros:
Easy-carry handle
Internal name label
Stylish design, great for kids who prefer muted shades
Finally, a kids’ lunch box that stores hot AND cold food in one place! Designed out of necessity by a problem-solving mum, the OmieBox encourages low-waste lunches and ends the need to use multiple clunky containers (which always get lost!). The spill-proof individual compartments mean no mixing of savoury and sweet, and the 280ml double-wall thermos keeps soups and pasta hot for up to six hours!
Health professionals agree that kids need a good balance of lean protein, grains, fruit and vegetables throughout the school day. Skip the processed food and try to reach for whole foods that pack a punch in the nutrient department. Here are some great ideas:
Grilled chicken or turkey wraps with fresh salad
Crackers and vegetable sticks with healthy dips like hummus
Whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes and your choice of cheese
Zucchini slice cut into rectangles for easy stacking in an insulated box
That lunchbox comparison table is handy to have. It helped me make a decision on which lunchbox to buy next for my daughter who is starting kindergarten. I needed to upgrade her lunchbox but wasn’t sure which way to go. The table helped me with my decision. I ended up going with the BBOX and have found a cheaper lunch bag from a department store that it fits in.
I do not know if anyone else has picked up on this or not, but every bag mentioned in the table above is a ‘designer’ brand. There are plenty of more affordable options that aren’t over $40. I have never spent that much on a lunchbox – even from Smiggle. The cheaper brands last just as well too.
Getting ready for the return to school has started to kick in so this was a timely read. We have the yum box and i love it, it is so easy for my daughter to open and close on her own. I find the lunch cooler bags also a great idea however some days depending on what else needs to go to school, they can be quite bulky to include in the school bag. I need to do some more research this year as i like the idea of being able to watch it in the washing machine, that is a clever idea.
Along with all of the other back to school products; there is also a good range of lunch boxes available for people to buy. It has been fun to see the wide range of bottles and lunch boxes that are available for the new year for school and for work.
Lunch boxes have come such a long way since my eldest was a kid, he’s now 26! There’s really a solution to everything from food heating, cooling, dividers, pockets etc etc. Lunch boxes are a real fashion accessory and so on-trend these days. I personally love the Bento lunch boxes. They save on plastic and separate different foods.
I am such a huge fan of Bento lunch boxes and Bento. Food should be so many wonderful things; including delicious, fun, colourful and nutritious too. Lunch is a favourite meal because the body is ready for some more calories and a boost of energy. Food looks so good in Bento lunch boxes.
So so many fantastic options! We use the montii co ones for our kdis and swear by it. Its lasted 3 years so far and still standing strong, like new since the first day using it. They are so durable and i find cleaning them to be the easiest for us.
There are so many great lunch box option out there indeed ! I’ve always liked the Bento style lunch boxes for my kids. It reduces the use of plastic lunch bags and packaged food which aren’t very good for the environment and it encourages to present a good variety of foods (which is not only better nutrition wise but lao to prevent our kids from getting bored with same foods all the time.
There are some really fabulous options here. So many variations of colour, shape and size. I love the bento style lunch boxes, so handy to keep food separate and eliminate the use of plastic packaging. The machine washable bags are a great idea too. They can get grubby so fast, this would be so much easier to maintain
This has gotten much easier since my kids hit high school – they have strong opinions about their lunch boxes, so I don’t have to think about it so much anymore! However, I am strongly in favor of bento style boxes regardless of their age. They’re easy to clean, easy to pack, and invite appropriate sized portions.
Great article! Our kids are so lucky, when it comes to lunchboxes, they really are spoilt for choice. There are so many to pick from. Regarding sandwiches, my eldest son, used to hate sandwiches for school lunches. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that he’d throw out his sandwiches in the playground bins. My son’s an adult now and he still hates sandwiches. He only likes “hot” lunches. So glad he lives on his own now and can make his own “hot” lunches just the way he likes them.
This is an extremely useful article!! 2 schppl going kids and third starting kinder soon means we are always on the lookout for lunch ideas and lunch boxes. This is a great list with features and prices listed to make the search easier and help with decision making for purchasing of the lunch boxes
This is super useful article and thank you. I can see so variety of lunch boxes from every store. Always wonder which one would be more convenient to use by little hands. I love some of these lunchboxes to give it a try for this year. And then decide to go with suitable ones
Wow, lunch boxes have really come such a long way from when I was taking a lunch box to school. Feel old, like “back in my day”, but we were lucky to have options like are available now. While I like some of these designs, I feel like they aren’t super practical.
These lunchboxes are beautiful but are they really worth the expensive price tag? I have been through so many lunch boxes and bags over the years and found the best it to use an insulated lunchbox bag with ice brick and use small containers to keep individual items fresh and assessable.
I love the bbox lunch boxes. They are so reliable and tough when kids throw their bags around. Easy to wash and store. I have used the we can be tiny snackies at home too. The boys love choosing a certain animal shape. They wash well, are durable and great quality.
My kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches and I am so happy to see the great choices they are making. They take left over meals, cook food in the morning to take and now I am confident they aren’t throwing away sandwiches! I do have the chilly bags for them, I find they fit better into bags
My daughter uses a bento box now for work and sometimes an insulated bag in summer, but when she was at school it was a rectangular lunch box with no compartments. It was very easy to wash each day, just the box and lid, and it could still be filled with rolls/sandwiches and snacks.
Lunchboxes are so important these days. Back in my day it was a brown paper bag or the exact same lunch box that everyone else had and there were three compartments. Today its such a fashion statement and as much as the lunchbox itself is judged so are the contents.
10:15 pm
Last day then, return the car.... Wanted to dive into the sunset....and not to Toyota.....he he he
:(
There are so many things that I'm going to miss from the Toyota Prius V......
The H.U.D (head up delay) ((my favourite thing))
Keyless entry
The little button on the boot that I found 2 days go, to lock the car and not have to press a button on the key
Push start button to start the car
Reverse camera
Large GPS/NatSav
Bluetooth connectivity
iPod connectivity
IPA (intelligent park assist)
Great seat configuration for my family of 2 adults, 4 kids and the occasional friend/s tacked on
Fuel efficiency
Seat comfort
Heat seaters
And...the kids are going to miss the double moon roof
Well after listing all my likes, I think all I can about the Toyota Prius V, is OH WHAT A FEELING! Loved driving it. Want one, and fingers crossed may get one.....one day....hopefully sooner rather than later!
1:10 pm
OH WHAT A FEELING.....ALL 4 KIDLETS IN SCHOOL......
11:30 pm
Happy chappy's all round....seats 7 with ease....love it!
9:24 pm
Love it, want it, an I keep it please!?
After picking the car up, I went with the family in tow in the other car, as I needed to get there somehow, to Costco. Thought I'd see how the boot compared to our current car, in terms if boot size. Was very surprised how much we could fit in it. There would have been a photo, but everyone was too excited to unpack and go for a drive....so next time! My youngest loved the seats in the second row, so much so, he fell asleep on the way home. The front seats are very comfortable, my eldest just loved that can be heated, mind you it wasn't cold today but had to try them out. Very impressed with the car,evn though only Avignon it for a day. Maybe for my fortieth this year hubby can buy me one. He he he.....
5:26 pm
It's a car for a family like us
If you were thinking you had to buy an SUV for room for the family I think you should definately head to a Toyota dealer to see the Prius v - it is spacious like a SUV but also offers amazing fuel economy, more maneuverability and versatilty at an affordable price.
The Prius v is where style meets practicality.
5:04 pm
Great first impression!!!
12:30 am
Bluetooth.....hands free..... touch free telephony in car....What a bonus!
Getting tea for the tribe tonight, 2 wanted pizza, 2 wanted fish n chips. Ordered the pizza at home, then on the road decided to see if I could phone for fish n chips by the Bluetooth function and could I access my phone contacts in my iPhone. Pushed the speak button twice, and said "call fish and chips"....a prompt on the Nat Sav screen told to wait, then the number came up in the screen. A voice said there was 3 options but could just continue with that number displayed or one of the other 2, spoke clearly "continue"...and I was putting in my order, on the road without having to pull over to talk. Pressed the hang up button and was off the phone, order was in, without even touching my phone. It's safe to use whilst driving and easy to use. I didn't even have to look up the manual! Fantastic! :)
4:38 pm
Pre-Christmas running around.......too easy!
Parking is a breeze in the Prius with the reversing camera. We have one in our Kluger, so it's no longer a novelty. It makes getting into those squishy city parking spaces all that easier (no more driving around searching for a park that looks easier to get into & out of.......they are all easy now). Mind you it did not stop one silly man from darting out behind me, without looking, in a car park.....so over shoulder checks are still a must!!
I found the centre-of-dash information screens a little weird to get used to at first (am so used to looking through the steering wheel for this driver info), but it is actually easier to view quickly once you are familiar with the screen layout. The head-up speed display that projects onto the base of the windscreen was also a little disconcerting at first. I thought it might be distracting when I was driving but am amazed how it just seems to disappear if you are not consciously checking your speed.......it is not distracting at all & is far easier to check your speed whilst driving without taking your eyes off the road. The height & reach adjustment for the steering wheel along with all the controls & switches being within easy reach makes city driving easier & safer.
We had a bit of a play with seat configurations today......toooo easy, but will report back on this topic once I have been a passenger in every row, and not just the driver........hmmmmm I suppose that means I will have to give my husband a turn behind the wheel ???
11:41 pm
Ok I think I've mastered the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist)...it's a long review...but I liked it....handy...
One little thing was the instructions weren't in the manual, but fortunately found a great tutorial on You Tube! Well it was really easy to use after finally figuring out what the button was for.
There are 2 settings : Press once for parallel parking. Press the button twice to reverse into park between 2 parked cars.
To parallel park: Press the IPA button once before you get to the park you want, drive slowly past the spot you want to park in. A diagram displays on navigation system how far to slowly keep going, then you brake, adjust where the parked car is if needed, then put the gear in reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel, slowly release your foot on the brake and the car parallel parks for you. Great if you're not sure or uneasy to parallel park.
To reverse in a car spot: If you see a spot to park, press the IPA button twice before you get to the parking spot. Slowly drive past the park and veer out ready to reverse, till a little beep lets you know it's time to center your steering wheel. Adjust where the parked cars are that you're parking between, put into reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel , slowly release your foot off the brake and let the car do all the work.
I must admit I found the reversing option a little more difficult than the parallel parking option. Or it could have been my error trying to do it at the local shop car park.
So not an all 5 star rating, as it wasn't in the manual, but overall, loved it, and would be great for those who are uneasy on parallel or reversing parking. Thumbs up from me.
4:00 pm
seat configuration
For us, we only have 1 car seat installed for Mr4, we have placed that behind the passenger seat. Miss7 sits in any of the remaining seats and has tried them all, she has announced that all are "great" but prefers to sit in the seat next to her brother - for the best view of the road ahead and of the satnav map.
Yesterday Miss7 turned 7 and we invited 3 of her friends over to play since we have the 7 seater I offered to drive them all home afterwards. 5 children in the car and all very comfortable! Definately fantastic to have the extra seats for times like these. Even if we did need another car seat installed the middle seat of the 2nd row is still plenty roomie enough so you could still have 5 in the car - all the Mums and Dads who came to look at the car were mightily impressed by that, especially those with 3 children.
Today we did a few jobs, we dropped off some donations for Lifeline, bought a flatpak desk and stopped at the hardware store for supplies. Normally to complete these shopping tasks we'd all go together as a family to window shop then either hubby or I would return to buy the items after we'd dropped everyone back home, as there simply isn't room in our current car for the family and large shopping items. For extra large items such as the roll of weedmatting we bought we'd usually have to borrow the 4wd from our parents. Not with the Prius v, the flatpak desk was placed in the rear of the car - in what is referred to as extra luggage mode, the weedmat etc we used long luggage mode and the 4 of us could still fit in the car! Thus we saved even more fuel as we didn;t have to make the 2nd trip back to the store - more shopping money!
(Speaking of fuel, we have travelled 315km and not even used 1/2 tank of fuel. Impressive.)
For interior flexibility I'd give the car a 10/10, I'd buy this car for this reason alone. You'd think with all these extra seats and space that the car would be large but it actually isn't much bigger than our current car. It easily fits in to our older style narrow garage, something our old 7 seat 4wd didn't do and the Prius v fits more into it - is cheaper to run and I suspect cheaper to service.....
10:15 pm
Last day then, return the car.... Wanted to dive into the sunset....and not to Toyota.....he he he
:(
There are so many things that I'm going to miss from the Toyota Prius V......
The H.U.D (head up delay) ((my favourite thing))
Keyless entry
The little button on the boot that I found 2 days go, to lock the car and not have to press a button on the key
Push start button to start the car
Reverse camera
Large GPS/NatSav
Bluetooth connectivity
iPod connectivity
IPA (intelligent park assist)
Great seat configuration for my family of 2 adults, 4 kids and the occasional friend/s tacked on
Fuel efficiency
Seat comfort
Heat seaters
And...the kids are going to miss the double moon roof
Well after listing all my likes, I think all I can about the Toyota Prius V, is OH WHAT A FEELING! Loved driving it. Want one, and fingers crossed may get one.....one day....hopefully sooner rather than later!
12:30 am
Bluetooth.....hands free..... touch free telephony in car....What a bonus!
Getting tea for the tribe tonight, 2 wanted pizza, 2 wanted fish n chips. Ordered the pizza at home, then on the road decided to see if I could phone for fish n chips by the Bluetooth function and could I access my phone contacts in my iPhone. Pushed the speak button twice, and said "call fish and chips"....a prompt on the Nat Sav screen told to wait, then the number came up in the screen. A voice said there was 3 options but could just continue with that number displayed or one of the other 2, spoke clearly "continue"...and I was putting in my order, on the road without having to pull over to talk. Pressed the hang up button and was off the phone, order was in, without even touching my phone. It's safe to use whilst driving and easy to use. I didn't even have to look up the manual! Fantastic! :)
11:41 pm
Ok I think I've mastered the IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist)...it's a long review...but I liked it....handy...
One little thing was the instructions weren't in the manual, but fortunately found a great tutorial on You Tube! Well it was really easy to use after finally figuring out what the button was for.
There are 2 settings : Press once for parallel parking. Press the button twice to reverse into park between 2 parked cars.
To parallel park: Press the IPA button once before you get to the park you want, drive slowly past the spot you want to park in. A diagram displays on navigation system how far to slowly keep going, then you brake, adjust where the parked car is if needed, then put the gear in reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel, slowly release your foot on the brake and the car parallel parks for you. Great if you're not sure or uneasy to parallel park.
To reverse in a car spot: If you see a spot to park, press the IPA button twice before you get to the parking spot. Slowly drive past the park and veer out ready to reverse, till a little beep lets you know it's time to center your steering wheel. Adjust where the parked cars are that you're parking between, put into reverse, take your hands off the steering wheel , slowly release your foot off the brake and let the car do all the work.
I must admit I found the reversing option a little more difficult than the parallel parking option. Or it could have been my error trying to do it at the local shop car park.
So not an all 5 star rating, as it wasn't in the manual, but overall, loved it, and would be great for those who are uneasy on parallel or reversing parking. Thumbs up from me.
1:10 pm
OH WHAT A FEELING.....ALL 4 KIDLETS IN SCHOOL......
9:46 pm
Hubby's turn to try out the Prius V
11:30 pm
Happy chappy's all round....seats 7 with ease....love it!
9:24 pm
Love it, want it, an I keep it please!?
After picking the car up, I went with the family in tow in the other car, as I needed to get there somehow, to Costco. Thought I'd see how the boot compared to our current car, in terms if boot size. Was very surprised how much we could fit in it. There would have been a photo, but everyone was too excited to unpack and go for a drive....so next time! My youngest loved the seats in the second row, so much so, he fell asleep on the way home. The front seats are very comfortable, my eldest just loved that can be heated, mind you it wasn't cold today but had to try them out. Very impressed with the car,evn though only Avignon it for a day. Maybe for my fortieth this year hubby can buy me one. He he he.....
5:26 pm
It's a car for a family like us
If you were thinking you had to buy an SUV for room for the family I think you should definately head to a Toyota dealer to see the Prius v - it is spacious like a SUV but also offers amazing fuel economy, more maneuverability and versatilty at an affordable price.
The Prius v is where style meets practicality.
4:20 pm
It's a smooth ride
During the time we have had the Prius v to test drive we have experienced many different driving situations - rush hour, a long traffic jam due to an accident, regular local running around, scenic driving up the mountain, highway driving etc. To begin with I really noticed the lack of power as you first accelerated and found it a little disconcerting to not being able to keep up with the cars ahead, however it only takes a few more seconds for the Prius v to reach the same speed and after a week I barely notice it. The lack of power was evident as we climbed Mt Coot-tha today but, hey, it's a scenic drive anyway :-) In summary the lack of power is only slightly noticable starting out from a traffic light change or quite noticable going up mountains.
I do enjoy driving the car. The steering feels light but the car feels solid on the road and handles corners well, its a car I feel very safe in.
Safety features of the Prius v include 7 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS brakes all which contribute to a smooth, safe drive. I think that the Pre Collison Safety System is a brilliant idea and, although I actually never want to try it for myself, would love to see it in action. The Prius is ahead of it's time in car safety, I am extremely impressed with the level Toyota has achieved.
All up the Prius v offers a smooth, comfortable ride in all road and traffic conditions.
8:54 pm
button, buttons, buttons
There are many instruments and controls in the Prius v and it has taken some getting use to them all, in fact even after all this time I am still finding more functions. Today I found the Intelligent Park Assist button but rather wished I hadn't. Hubby and I read the manual with it's clear as mud instructions, spent 15 minutes trying to park using it but with no success, quite frustrating. Perhaps I might pop by the dealer and ask them to show me how to operate it...
I love the HUD (Heads Up Display) which projects a readout of speed, satnav, audio etc on to the windscreen using Touch Tracer controls located on the steering wheel. Makes for easier, safer driving as your eyes stay up looking at the road.
Today I was mostly the passenger and I used that time to explore the car audio features, satnav, bluetooth, ipod connectivity - I was busy for quite some time as there are many interesting buttons to push! The features themselves are very easy to use, I spent my time going through the layers of menu options. The front passenger of the Prius v i-tech will never be bored ;-)
In summary, lots of buttons which seemed a little overwhelming at first but now that I know their functions I'm thinking "Wow, what a clever car"
P.S. 5 days, 514km travelled in ECO mode and we still have 1/3 tank of fuel!! Incredible.
The other features are seamless to use, satnav very straight forward, car audio the same
4:00 pm
seat configuration
For us, we only have 1 car seat installed for Mr4, we have placed that behind the passenger seat. Miss7 sits in any of the remaining seats and has tried them all, she has announced that all are "great" but prefers to sit in the seat next to her brother - for the best view of the road ahead and of the satnav map.
Yesterday Miss7 turned 7 and we invited 3 of her friends over to play since we have the 7 seater I offered to drive them all home afterwards. 5 children in the car and all very comfortable! Definately fantastic to have the extra seats for times like these. Even if we did need another car seat installed the middle seat of the 2nd row is still plenty roomie enough so you could still have 5 in the car - all the Mums and Dads who came to look at the car were mightily impressed by that, especially those with 3 children.
Today we did a few jobs, we dropped off some donations for Lifeline, bought a flatpak desk and stopped at the hardware store for supplies. Normally to complete these shopping tasks we'd all go together as a family to window shop then either hubby or I would return to buy the items after we'd dropped everyone back home, as there simply isn't room in our current car for the family and large shopping items. For extra large items such as the roll of weedmatting we bought we'd usually have to borrow the 4wd from our parents. Not with the Prius v, the flatpak desk was placed in the rear of the car - in what is referred to as extra luggage mode, the weedmat etc we used long luggage mode and the 4 of us could still fit in the car! Thus we saved even more fuel as we didn;t have to make the 2nd trip back to the store - more shopping money!
(Speaking of fuel, we have travelled 315km and not even used 1/2 tank of fuel. Impressive.)
For interior flexibility I'd give the car a 10/10, I'd buy this car for this reason alone. You'd think with all these extra seats and space that the car would be large but it actually isn't much bigger than our current car. It easily fits in to our older style narrow garage, something our old 7 seat 4wd didn't do and the Prius v fits more into it - is cheaper to run and I suspect cheaper to service.....
8:30 pm
Highway driving, saving many $$$'s
Also impressed by the level of car comfort, the front seats are very supportive, they are 6 way adjustable including being equipped with adjustable lumbar support, I felt no driver fatigue during the journey.
The basic cruise control is very easy to use, I forgot to have a play with it before I left home but it was the same as what we have in our current car. What we don't have in our current car but is a feature of the i-tech is dynamic radar cruise control - described by Toyota , "This intelligent technology uses millimetre-wave radar sensors to detect the speed of the vehicle ahead, and automatically adjusts your speed to ensure you there's always a set range between you." To use you merely press a button on the steering wheel and you don't even have to worry about maintaining the gap between you and the car in front! Fantastic on the highway when light congestion occurs and everyone returns to correct speed quickly.
Car performance and features on this type of drive = 9/10
11:48 am
Back to Sydney on 1/2 a tank......now that's showing off !
The next morning we repacked the car and headed east while Nanma & Poppy headed back to The Ridge. This time we made it home on 1/2 a tank !! When looking at the average fuel consumption for the round trip, I was surprised to see that we averaged 4.9litres/100km. I thought it would be higher having gone over the blue mountains twice and with the amount of highway driving.....just amazing!!
The other little thing that I got to fully appreciate on the trip home were the retractable shades on the rear door windows. The sun was blistering leaving Dubbo, & stayed that way for the majority of the drive, but the kids were both comfortable with the shades up. I wish I had these when the kids were babies, instead of constantly struggling ill fitting sock type shades, or ones that sort of suctioned on to the window, or the common last resort of using a baby wrap tucked over the top with the door shut. Inbuilt, retractable window shades......pure genius !!!
11:45 pm
Shhhh......so quiet on safari....
9:23 am
FUEL ALERT....and still 25km to Dubbo......did we make it ?????
We had decided to refuel as soon as we got down to one bar on the fuel gauge. We didn't want to risk conking out on a country road with tired, grumpy kids and a greatly diminished snack supply. Unfortunately when we finally did hit one bar on the fuel gauge the service stations were few & far between.......no, make that non-existent.......on the route we chose to take.
When the fuel alert came on we were still 25km out but were pretty sure with the CVT (continuously variable transmission) we would be ok, as we were mostly going at speeds less than 100km/hr due to roads and were constantly changing between petrol & electric power.
One of my favourite things in the Prius v is the graphical display where you can actually see where your are drawing your power from. It really helped me understand CVT, and it was comforting being able to see at a glance when we were on electric power (especially when the fuel alert light was on).
Soooo, we made it, right to our motel, then popped around the corner to fill up! Here are our final stats:
Darlington to Dubbo = 393km on just over 1/2 tank of fuel
Total distance on one tank of fuel in 7 days of combined city & highway driving = 612km
Cost to refill with premium unleaded fuel = $60
We are really impressed & think the numbers speak for themself.
7:40 am
Manages mountain roads with ease....
We made a quick stop at the "The Explorers' Tree at Katoomba, but unfortunately it was all roped off as it was damaged in an accident earlier in the year so we couldn't even get a snapshot :( I bet Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth would have loved a Prius v to help them through the mountains in 1813 !
10:49 pm
Darlington to Dubbo in the Prius v
Ok then......all packed.... luggage, Christmas gifts for family, books, snacks....oh, & kids. We're off......starting with the fuel gauge at 1bar over half a tank. We haven't filled up since the Prius v arrived a week ago so fuel economy has been great around the city. I expect once we are at highway speeds we will have greater consumption......but want to see just how far we can get before refueling.
Keith is driving the first drive leg and with the current speed limit of 110km/hr says she feels lovely & smooth. Looking forward to seeing how she handles driving through the Blue Mountains. Jack and Lauren both comfy with loads of room in the middle row, as am I as the front passenger.
Must say though, we are a little disappointed at the "cup holder status" of the Prius v. All doors have a space for an average size water bottle, but for kids in booster seats in the 2nd row, these are too hard to reach. We have already had water bottles dropped in car seats and some minor spillage which of course lead to tears! Cup holders in the front centre console & 3rd row only fit small diameter water bottles, & most cups/bottles/kids drink bottles these days are larger than this :( We were surprised as we have never had this issue in other Toyota vehicles. In any case it is a minor issue.......everything else is spot on.
1:03 am
3rd row lowdown......grownups fit, but best for kids
Leg room wise it wasn't too bad, but I had no one in the seat in front of me so it wasn't an issue. You definitely couldn't have 3 tall people down one side of the car. With Keith driving, he has the driver seat pretty much all the way back so the leg room for Jack, sitting behind him in a booster seat, was also a little tight.
All this being said, the third row is still more than adequate for short trips, but really best suits the kids, or those who are a little more vertically challenged. The overall leg room throughout the whole car is also easily managed by rearranging seating around the specific heights of the occupants (although if you are all tall, then things could get tricky).
(Have added a snap taken from the 3rd row......you can just make out my knees in the bottom of the pic)
12:07 am
Cool & comfortable in the heat.....but Spider-Man & Barbie's cars are better!
It was a hot one in Sydney today so it seemed like we were reverting to petrol power the majority of the time, as we were relying heavily on the aircon. The kids had decided they were travelling in the 3rd row today (just to mix it up a bit.....as is their want) but by the time I was lovely & cool in the front they were saying they were still hot....though not so hot that they would move to the middle seats :)
After dancing it was off over the bridge to pick up Nan & Pop & then head home for "Christmas". This was Nan & Pop's first drive in the Prius V & they were impressed with the amount of room & were amazed that there were 7 seats. Of course we had to call Keith on our way back, blue tooth & hands free of course, & all sing Happy Birthday!! (Keith said it was really clear his end too). What was most impressive with this was that my phone was in the dance bag right at the back of the car. Once Bluetooth is activated & phone paired, as soon as you get in you are connected for calls & music regardless of where your phone is in the car, and all operations can be made through the steering wheel controls.....just love it!
We talked about getting a pic of Nan & Pop with the Prius v, but alas they said they were too camera shy. So for this post, I have attached a Christmas snap of Jack & Lauren who, unlike Keith, actually did get a car each this Christmas. I'm sorry Prius v, but I think you have been outshone by Spider-Man's super awesome "wheels" & the Barbie glamour car......(well, at least in Jack & Lozzie's eyes). Merry Christmas everyone :)
10:58 pm
View from front following our IKEA shop.....
IKEA....tick........now, I wonder if there is anything I need from Bunnings????
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