Drove a prius V with plans on buying one. Then I checked the crash test results and found it completely failed the slight off center test with the left front tire actually entering the drivers area. Safety is important to me so I did a little research. Found info on the C Max (didn't know they existed until I did this research) drove one, bought one! Only had it for a month but love it. Yes the V was bigger but the kids are gone, the dog died, so how many times do my wife and I need that extra space? Let's be honest, the prius does exactly what it was designed for. It is reliable, gets good gas mileage and resale is better than the C Max. I just think the C Max does everthing I need with a more (premium) package. One thing on performance, it's true people don't buy a hybrid for fast driving. I don't drive fast, but the other day an emerging truck required me (for the first time) to stomp the throttle to the floor. Wow, both gas and electric motors kicked in. In a heart beat I was safely out of a bad situation! I also have a Volvo S80 and this C Max will easily rip the pants off it! Or more thing. No one has mentioned that you can't get powered seats in a Prius no matter how much you pay, even with leather. You have you to hand pump your self up to make your self higher. It's can be a hassel if you change drivers often. My wife is 5ft 2in and I'm 6ft. That all. Keep Maxing.