Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Let's Go Places: Toyota Prius V

Toyota was kind enough to lend me this sweet Prius v for a week while I was in LA    attending the Latina Lifestyle Bloggers Conference. Dude, this ride def. saved us a lot of time and money! Did I mention it's a HYBRID and we spent no money on gas the week we had it?!

We had never driven a Hybrid before sitting behind the wheel of this Blue Ribbon Metallic Prius v and we were psyched to explore LA with it!

Some of the first things we noticed while cruising in the new 2013 Prius v is that the trunk in the rear is HUGE, 34.3 cu ft HUGE! We learned that the trunk of this Prius v is larger than that of most small SUVS. Phew, because we had a ton of luggage!!
Like most Toyota cars now a days, the seats in the back are very flexible, adding even MORE space for storage in the back. While we were arranging some of our things in the trunk one day, we noticed that there was an additional storage compartment under the carpet lining...which would be perfect for storing things like a first aid kit or even an extra pair of flats and heels ;)

The Prius v has an awesome panoramic roof that we tried opening for several minutes. Picture me pressing the "open" button for literally ten minutes and just having the shades continuously open and close a bunch of times until realizing the roof wasn't meant to open! It was cool to look up and get a different view.

We also spent a lot of time playing with the technology in Prius v. The 7 inch high resolution touch screen was a whole learning experience of its own hehehe. We had never driven a car with one in it, so we had a lot of fun playing around with all of the cool commands and apps. I think our favorite was the backup camera! It was just a breath of fresh air while trying to park especially in tiny spots! The navigation was a little tricky, but I think that's because we had never used one before.

While driving around in LA we quickly realized that the gas engine would shut off if we would slow down to 19mph or come to a complete stop. Don't worry, the electric motor would takeover right away. I picture the gas and electric motors like a relay team...hahaha. GO HYBRIDS!

We also noticed that there were buttons with ECO, EV and POWER labelled on them and we had no clue what each did. So while we sat in the car, we googled it and Toyota answered "different modes for different types of driving. ECO Mode helps maximize fuel economy. EV Mode runs solely on battery power for up to one half mile under certain conditions and POWER Mode increases gas pedal response for enhanced acceleration."  

We had an absolute blast driving throughout LA and it's neighboring cities in the Toyota Prius v. Honestly got me thinking that a road trip in this car would be so smooth and comfortable!

What do you think of the Prius v?
Disclosure: Latina Lifestyle Bloggers Collective and Toyota offered me a chance to test drive the Prius v for a week. All opinions and photos are my own.

44 comments :

  1. really nice car! i like it, also your dress :)
    kisses
    maren anita


    Emu Australia Giveaway:
    FASHION-MEETS-ART by Maren Anita

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  2. how lucky!!! Love the fact that it saves a lot of gas money!

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  3. Wow how lucky you got to review a whole car!!!! :) looks like a saver :)

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  4. Toyota really outdoes themselves with their cars. We just bought a new car but they were a little pricy for us. However, our new car has a backup camera and those things are AWESOME!!

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  5. What a fun post, I'm so glad that you enjoyed your trip out here! :)

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  6. Love how your outfit matches the color of your car :)

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  7. Love the car color. Your outfit matches it too. You can be a car model. hehehe

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  8. I love Priuses. I have a Corolla but when I get a new car, I'm definitely looking into a Prius. :)

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  9. Love the blue color of the hybrid Prius and learning about the features, including the backup camera! Awesome post, amiga!! :-)

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  11. I love toyota! That is a great brand, like the prius V too!

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  12. The dress is very well combined to the car. Great stuff.
    xxx
    mari
    www.ilovegreeninspiration.com
    #GIG love

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  13. soooooooooooooo cute. um, I'm jealous...I love the Prius...and really want one! believe it or not, it's one of my dream cars - next to a classic 40s or 50s one of course. :) Anywho - that color is amazing, so electric...como tu!
    That's so cool that you didn't have to spend money on gas! wut-wut! :D oh, and you look adorable.
    besitos!
    Marlita

    www.marlitaontherun.com

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  14. Wow! Sounds like you had a great time the Prius!

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  15. lucky you. Cute car and great story. Hope to see you again soon

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  16. Gotta love toyota ;)

    Photography: http://preciouss2photo.blogspot.com/
    Lifestyle & Mix: http://sprinkleorainbow.wordpress.com/

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  17. My DIL ♥ her company Prius- I can see you're a new fan too! What a trip you and hubby have had in 2013, and it's just the beginning!! Continued success and let's hope EE gets back to you two soon. BB2U

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  18. First of all, that's the prettiest color I've seen on a Prius to date so thank you for showing to us. Next, I think it's way cool that Toyota let you borrow it!! Makes me feel more comfortable with them just knowing that. Now I better go test drive one. I'm interested in making my next car a hybrid.

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  19. I loved the car, thanks for the ride

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  20. wow.. loved the color.. and the fact that it's hybrid.. I just love exploring hi-tech stuff.. so can imagine how much fun u had playing with it! :D

    <3 #GIG
    www.pearlypoppies.com

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  21. me encantan los coches compactos .. Y fascinada porque ahora conozco más sobre los híbridos.

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  22. I really want a hybrid and am thinking about the Prius, I am done with gas-guzzlers!

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  23. I love Toyota! Spent mos of my life driving Camrys! Great review and glad you enjoyed it.

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  24. We have a prius and it has been great. You don´t event hear it move and the gas is a real saver. It drives nice on the freeway.

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  25. I love it!.. i want a hybrid, I need one!

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  26. Genial! NO tener que poner gasolina en 1 semana, es algo que antes ni nos podíamos imaginar.
    Está muy lindo ese Toyota Prius.

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  27. nice!!! i wish i can drive too! but am too scared :D #gig

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  28. Me encanta el auto aunque se ve chico es muy espacioso! Lo tomare en cuenta! Sigue disfrutando!

    ¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
    http://mamaholistica.com

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  29. ¡Qué divertido! Los Prius son bien famosos aqui en Los Angeles. El otro día conté 44 Prius en mi vecindario. Está super famoso.

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  30. How nice, love to ride and ride for little money! Living F.A.B.ulously on Purpose

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  31. I loved this car and our beach excursion in it! Great times!

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  32. It looks like a great ride
    http://www.betzysmakeup.com/

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  33. let's go for hybrids! i hope Toyota will let it available to other countries too :)

    - from gig
    www.swirlsandscribbles.com

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  34. The car's color is nice :D
    And I love your dress! So cute

    In The Name Of Colors

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  35. Perfect-sized car! Just perfect for your 4 huge luggages! xx Love, Cynthia

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  36. They let you take this care to LA?! How great of Toyota! The car looks amazing. Love all the space.

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  37. The car is so great, perfect size. You seem genuine and sweet.

    http://kjandersen.wordpress.com/

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  38. Perfect Car, want it...


    gitalockwood.blogspot.com

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  39. Lucky you got to drive that car! It looks sleek and I like that it's eco-friendly :D

    - Mich of Mich Eats and Shops

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  40. Their train system is still amazingly efficient and as a society they are among the most law abiding, which inherently increases governmental efficiency. Airlines are having trouble all over the world. 
    http://www.qtccars.com/

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Thanks for leaving the positive vibes! Many besos,bendiciones and buenas vibras. I will be sure to send them back!xo