I'm a little disappointed in the 2010 steering wheel telescope range

6'1" and I agree. I had a very bad shoulder injury years ago and extending my left arm is a little hard. I would like to have the wheel a little closer, but I'll get used to it.

 

Are you saying that the range is limited compared to the 2009 or you're simply suggesting it as a future improvement?

 

Im 5'6 and I have a simillar complaint. I felt like I could not get into a comfortable position.

The rearview mirror was too low, and the steering wheel did not tilt up enough and I generally felt like I had a pretty obstructed view of the road in front of me.

I like putting the seat high up, but I wonder how you taller folks feel about the rear view mirror.

 

I agree it could telescope more. That should be easy enough to do and should be implemented in future years. I think the seats are poor however and for me I think that is the biggest issue of concern. I feel to much upper back support and not enough lower back support. Maybe if I had the lumbar seats it would be better but I often have a hard time finding a comfortable driving position. I love this car but am not a fan of the seat comfort. By the way I'm 6'3 and 210 pounds.

 

I agree too, but too delighted at the improvement over the II to complain. Progress comes in steps.

 

I, too, wish it had a greater range of telescoping (for that matter, for this price, power seats should also be included in the upper trim levels). Although I can generally find a comfortable position, I find myself constantly adjusting something. And (imo) you shouldn't have to pony up to a 'IV' to get a lumbar support (although, since I did, and did so *only* for this reason, you might say the marketing gurus at TMC 'won' this one...). FWIW, this complaint isn't limited to Toyota in my observation; it seems with most Japanese cars, you have to go 'high end' to get reasonable creature comforts that really also amount to driver safety issues. Heck, I've had rental Cobalts with better lumbar support--Toyota, and others, take note!*



*(We might have been able to keep Indyking among our ranks if so )

note to Indyking - enjoy your Sonata, and keep in touch.

~T

 

I'm 6'6", 235lbs and have had my Gen III for one week. I traded in a 2002 Trailblazer so I am moving from apples to oranges. I also noticed the wheel could come a bit closer, but after the first day I hadn't given it another thought until this thread. Just took a little getting used to. I also noticed the mirror problem but felt when I moved the arm up as far as it would go and then angled the face it was much better. I must say that in the Trailblazer, the A posts were so thick as to create a very dangerous blindspot out the front of the vehicle, the visibility offered in the Prius is a 100% improvement. Power seats would be great, but I wonder how much power they would eat up? Power conservation seems to be apparent throughout the vehicle. Still, it would be a nice option for the IV and V level. If they are going to heat the seats they might as well offer power!

And I sure love getting 3x the mileage!

 

I agree...wish it came out another inch or so. I'm 6'4" and its hard for me to find the right setup. When I first got the car I thought the seats were uncomfortable, but I've kinda gotten used to the...still not sure who can rest their arm on the door armrest...ergonomically challenged car, in my opinion...

 

I'm 6'2" with long enough legs that the lack of legroom in the Gen II made it a non starter for me.

The Gen III fixed that but with the seat right back its a stretch to the steering wheel and I would really like to be able to telescope it further.

I also wish that more lumbar (lower back) support was built into both front seats.
My experience in other cars is that I have been happier with good fixed support than with adjustable lumbar support which seems to sometimes be used as substitute for good seat design.

I'd prefer to stay with manual seat adjustment as I've found power seats slow to move from my wifes seating postion to my seating position and back. It's not a lot of fun standing in the rain waiting for the motor to move the seat back far enough that I can get in the car!

 

I cant seem to find a comfortable position either. Been adjusting the wheel and seat for days! Need to scope out further with greater tilt down angle. And pls add lumbar to base seat w/ more cushion. And those ext mirrors should be up fwd to provide wider reflection angle! Little things that would make this car MUCH better!!!

Almost make me want to trade it in!!!

 

All us tall people should GATTACA our arms instead :mod:

 

I test drove 3 Prius before I bought the one I have.

 

In this country the dealers will only let you take a short test drive. To find out how comfortable a car really is I need to spend a few hours in it. When I bought mine there were no Gen3 rentals available.

This version is better than the Gen 2, but it could be a lot better than it is. As long as they were making improvements they should have done it right, but that might have cost more than Toyota was willing to spend.

 

Yeah, a Toyota with everything right is called a Lexus, but even then, something is still wrong!

 

I absolutely agree with you! As a design issue, it is hard to understand why they put this feature in at all, which was seriously needed, and didn't bother to make it long enough to be useful. While they are fixing this, they can also move to a 2 or 3 spoke wheel, so I can rest either hand fully on the wheel at the 4 to 5 o'clock position.

 

I think that's right from what I've read, I've never owned one. I might spend the extra money for a Lexus except for two things:
1. There is no Lexus equivalent to the Prius, the HS Hybrid is similar to a Hybrid Camry and the other three hybrids are bigger.
2. The nearest Lexus dealer is close to 180 miles from where I live, to far to go if something breaks.

So if I want a premium hybrid that really gives me the kind of mileage I expect from a hybrid I'm left with one choice, the car I have. I think my Prius is really a great machine but I would like to see a few improvements.