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Gen III Fixed Center Console

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by berryman, Nov 2, 2010.

  1. berryman

    berryman Junior Member

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    Some Gen III reviewers have commented that the fixed center console is more confining than the Gen II open console configuration. Do any of you bigger drivers have a problem with it?
     
  2. cit1991

    cit1991 New Member

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    I'm a truffle over 300 and I'm comfortable.
     
  3. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    At 6'3" 235 lbs, I have plenty of room. Much more comfortable than my 2006 Honda Civic EX coupe. The console is not in the way, in fact I like the convenince of having all the controls in easy reach.
     
  4. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    I like it. It's also a great armrest. I also put my cell phone and other junk in the drink holder. In fact, if it wasn't there I'd miss it.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    I have never understood the complaints with the center console. I like the looks of it; I like the utility of it. I am 6-3" 200#, and it had not been a problem.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's not a matter of how good or bad it is, it's how much better it could be. i don't think confining is the problem. cupholders, storage and console/container/armrest could easily be so much better. if you don't drink in the car and use the cupholer for your phone, pensm trash, etc., you probably wouldn't understand.:(
     
  7. Blizzard10

    Blizzard10 New Member

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    6'2" 270 something I'm comfy.
     
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I've had a 2006 and now the 2010 and I quite like it. It's not 'as' convenient cup holder wise as the 06' was but overall, I personally like having it connected 'fixed' more than the open design of the 2006.
     
  9. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    6'3", 235lbs.

    No problem.
     
  10. Big Al5

    Big Al5 Junior Member

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    Well; we bought two 2010's after having a 2005 for 4.5 years. Love the new ones except one is a III and one is a IV, on the IV the seat heaters are hard to control while belted in. The console is fine, the placement of seat heat switch is poor.
     
  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I haven't had the privilege of driving an earlier iteration of this car, but I don't have any heartache with the center console...well except for the idiotic location of the Aux In jack. I was initially somewhat curious as to how the console would react with my bod during a side impact collision, but since I ride motorcycles a lot for commuting to work, I can’t say honestly that I was overly concerned.
    I would probably miss the console if it went away.
    It makes for a decent arm rest, and a convenient place to stow some things.
    I'm 5'9" @ 175#, so I'm probably an easy fit for this car.

    I'll leave the diet/exercise comments for the more self-righteous members of this community...
     
  12. socratesthecabdriver

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    i am a xxl and dont have a problem in the drivers side! the passenger side is a different story .. but people that get in the cab seem to really like it when sitting on the front passenger seat
     
  13. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi All,

    I did not like it in pictures. I do not like it in person. Escpecially when I go for the brake pedal, and my knee jams into it, and I miss the peddle!
     
  14. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    6',8" 930 kilos, I fit in it ok.

    --

    I have my opinion on that but the comment was ill-timed.
     
  15. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    :eek:
    930 kilos wow
    And they have not made a TV shown about you or in Guinness World Records
    :D
     
  16. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    How could your knee possible hit the floating bridge console when reaching for the brake if (assuming) your knee doesn't hit the console with foot on gas?
     
  17. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi cycledrum,

    The seat is apparently more outboard than the Gen II. My inboard leg does not touch the center console with the foot on the accelerator pedal (but my other knee is bashing into the arm rest sharp edge).

    But, apparently in the 2010 they raised the height of the brake pedal. This is usually done when there have been lots of reports of people mistaking the gas pedal for the brake pedal. Which we know has happened with Toyota recently.

    So, to reach the brake pedal, my leg flexes and rotates at the pelvis, sending the knee more inboard and upward, until my foot is high enough to clear the new brake pedal height.

    But, as the knee travels inboard and upward, it hits the console, before the foot is higher than the brake pedal.

    I have to remember to hyper extend my calf muscle, to get the tip of the toe higher than the brake pedal. Hopefully, I will do that in panic situations. There were several times my foot ended up under the brake pedal, until I realized what was happening.

    Clearly, ergonomics was not the driving force behind this center console design!!!!!
     
  18. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    I do not believe there is a car made that is a perfect for everyone and none is forcing you to buy something that does not fix you
    SO GET OVER IT LOL
     
  19. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    I had to adjust my thinking on the "slide back then lift up" concept, but realize it's for the second cupholder, if used. I took the second cupholder out as the main cupholder is all I need. BTW, I really improved Toyota's console by adding a light with a hidden automatic switch. It comes on anytime (car started or not) you lift the armrest, but not when you slide it back. Check out my mod.