Toyota Prius v vs Volkswagen Crafter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Toyota Prius v
Price TBC
People Mover
Hybrid
1.8L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder petrol (2ZR-FXE)
100kW
4.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
180L
Volkswagen Crafter
From $70,990
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
2530L
Toyota Prius v: we're still completing price, wheelbase, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota Prius v features a 6.1-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments.
The Toyota Prius v stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats and JBL audio — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Crafter. The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota Prius v gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Crafter offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Prius v uses a 1.8L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder petrol (2ZR-FXE) producing 100kW and 142Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
The Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter driving the front wheels.
The Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 100kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Prius v measures 4,645mm long, 1341mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 5,986mm (3,640mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 180L in the Toyota Prius v and 2530L in the Volkswagen Crafter, giving the Volkswagen Crafter a 2350L advantage. The Volkswagen Crafter seats 12 vs 7.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
14.0m diameter
Large
Based on 14.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 12.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,254/year for the Toyota Prius v and $2,423/year for the Volkswagen Crafter. That is a $1,169 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Prius v.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Toyota Prius v) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter). The Volkswagen Crafter has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Prius v if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Crafter takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Toyota Prius v will save you roughly $1,169 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Crafter has a clear edge. The Volkswagen Crafter adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota Prius v and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Volkswagen Crafter is the cheapest at $70,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Prius v uses the least fuel at 4.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Toyota Prius v holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volkswagen Crafter, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the largest boot at 2530L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the longest warranty at 5 years / 0k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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