Find Reviews by Make:
That doesn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination. The Mazda 5 is six inches longer than the Prius: check. The 5 also stands six inches taller than the Prius; does this? Toyota has said that interior room is 50% larger, so that looks about right. No word on third row seating; I’m guessing at least kiddie seats back there.
Power train? Almost undoubtedly, the bigger 2.4 L HSD version as used in the Camry hybrid and Lexus 250h. Mileage? If the first number isn’t a 4, don’t bother. I know one thing: this will sell in places like Oregon, either replacing Subaru wagons, and/or giving Prius families’ kids some growing room.
19 Comments on “Toyota Builds a Prius Mazda 5...”
Read all comments
Way cool. This could possibly be just the thing for us several years down the road if and when it becomes time to replace our 2003 Accord.
Introducing the Toyota Prius Custom Cruiser. Soon to be joined by the Prius Supreme and the Prius Calais.
Kidding aside, this isn’t a bad idea, but I think they’d be better off with a slightly hopped-up version of the 1.8L HSD over the 2.4L HSD.
You have confused me. Did Toyota build a Mazda 5 with their hybrid system or did Toyota just build a new Prius model which is similar in size to a Mazda 5?
I am interested is this new larger size because I carry bicycles, tools, and car pool and my present Prius is just a little too small sometimes.
It would be great to have a Leaf or Coda for most around the city trips and a small station wagon for work.
It’s a new car, all-Toyota. It just happens to be about the sized of the Mazda 5.
I don’t see it replacing Subie wagons, their big appeal in the northern states is AWD. But I agree it will sell, I think there’s a lot of folks who want a Prius but find it a little small for their needs. I really like the Mazda 5, but they’ve had a hard time marketing it. With the Prius moniker, Toyota will have no problem getting the public’s attention for this vehicle. Could be a hit.
Has Mazda even done a single ad for the 5 –print, TV or internet? Still, I see enough on the road that people are discovering it.
As for the jumbo-sized Prius this isn’t a surprise. Wasn’t Toyota going to spin off the Prius as its own brand and create a full lineup?
I think it’s a good idea, too many 4 door cars have ridiculously small backseats. I think that’s a big reason why consumers migrated to SUVs (thanks CAFE)
An full-grown adult should be able to sit in the backseat of a sedan comfortably. That’s true on very few modern sedans these days. Most are designed so only a child can sit back there.
Message to Toyota: Hey, if you’re going to do this (and I hope so), please copy the Mazda5 sliding rear doors! For families who don’t want a minivan or CUV, the 5’s “novelty” feature of the rear sliders is w/out peer. Put those on this new “Prius II” and make sure it gets 40+mpg and I’ll buy one. Seriously (真剣に).
+1 on the sliding doors, I’ll put my first payment down on Mon. morning.
Side profile looks like my i30cw/Elantra Touring, which shares a platform with the Kia Rondo. Doubt the Toyota will have sliding doors, so it’s going to end up being most like the Touring if 2 rows or the Kia if 3.
I wonder what they’ll call it. Toyota Prius Verso?
I’m looking forward to this (can’t remember the last time I said that about a Toyota), but I’ll be (pleasantly) surprised if it gets above 40mpg.
I got 35mpg out of a Mazda 5 several years ago. Can’t see why a 5-sized Prius couldn’t hit 40.
I wonder what they’ll call it. Toyota Prius Verso?
I wonder what they’ll call it. Toyota Prius Verso Aztek?
Way cool.
My thoughts exactly. Please have a simple sunroof available.
As a current owner of a Mazda5 and a Prius I can honestly say I am intrigued.
We’ve love having the 5. The only gripe has been on long distance highway trips. Even then the gripe is not acceleration (seriously who are these jack-arses doing 95mph jockeying around traffic like they were Tony Stewart in the Pick-N-Chick,Shick-N-Bic, FuzzyWig #48 Honda Odyssey?) The gripe has always been road noise.
When I picked up our Prius and drove it on the highway, I was impressed by how quite it was at cruising speeds. Of course a big gripe with the Prius is that it can barely hold a wheelchair much less groceries and a wheel chair.
Having owned several Miatas I will never say either of these cars are particularly entertaining to drive. The Mazda5 might get a pass, but only because of it’s genus.
However the final words in utilitarian vehicles are:
Versatile = roomy enough for 3 adults, one child, a wheelchair and a 70lb dog = Mazda5
Frugal = 450-500 miles per 10 gallon tank of gas = Prius
While I will have another sports car in the future, I know we will always something akin to the these cars as well and if I can combine those two key features that is a win… or rather a sale.
There’s a significant mileage penalty for the 2.4L and added weight in the Lexus HS250h (which gets approximately the same mileage as the Camry Hybrid). The Prius5 may be about the same.
When I bought the Prius last year, we cross-shopped the Mazda 5. The slightly better build quality of the Prius and the hybrid mpg swung the deal in its favor… If there was a hybrid version of a Mazda 5 type vehicle at the time, I would very likely have bought it instead if it was rated 40mpg or better.
I like the Mazda5 a lot–low on power, but very high on flexibility for the price. I also joke about the Prius from time to time, mostly on appearance, but it’s still a great idea.
My wife does so much city-type driving in her gashog AWD wagon, this could be the ideal next step. I’ll keep my eyes open for this one. About time!
This will be interesting. I am not sure how many people are going to give up their cars for this. I think the Prius hit the sweet spot with a slightly larger than compact size car that gets good gas mileage and is an excellent commuter. I am not sure how well this small minivan vehicle will be received. Fuel economy is very important, but I am not sure this will do well until crossovers sales fall off the map due to high gas prices.