Prius grows up. Toyota’s expansion of the Prius family will begin in 2011 with the Prius V hybrid wagon.

Prius is by far the best-selling and most trusted brand in hybrids. Toyota will build on that foundation by expanding Prius into an entire line of vehicles that the company expects will eventually outsell all other Toyota models. The Prius expansion begins in mid-2011 with the introduction of the Prius V—a version of the classic gas-electric model with almost 60 percent more cargo room (while keeping its seating configuration for five passengers).

The Prius V is Toyota’s direct response to a ton of customer feedback. “Consumers have told Toyota that they love the idea of the Prius—high fuel-efficiency, low emissions, advanced technology—but the vehicle selling today doesn’t fit their lifestyle and needs,” Doug Coleman, Toyota’s Prius product manager, told HybridCars.com. Toyota’s answer is a hybrid with all the versatility and comfort of a family hauler while delivering city mileage of 42 mpg and highway economy of 38 mpg. Add a panoramic moonroof and Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system to the attractive mix.