My first up close Gen 5 Prius sighting

Perception is everything!

Here's the comparison specs:
2023 is up all around except for HEIGHT, which is down 2 inches.

 

The lower roof line results in the car having a profile that is more sedan wedge than aero hatchback.

 

facts don't lie; its bigger, period.

 

You can say it appears small to YOU. I drive my 2024 Prius Limited every day and it neither looks nor feels small to me.

 

I feel the same way.
I'm 5'8 seating in the front seats doesn't feel cramped at all and views through the front window are wide and gorgeous.
Only when I sit in the back seats I feel the low roof for it's touching my hair.

 

And the gen4 Prime's length increase is from bumper styling; a bolt on fascia.

 

Well, I can speak to this since I have both in my driveway! Here's the straight poop: the Gen 5 is a lot smaller in appearance! What's the reality? OK, it's posted above, but those numbers do not tell the whole story. Aside from the obvious and significant loss of headroom both front and rear, there is a large loss of leg room. Not overall length, but the width of the compartment where your legs go. This is one of the areas I have identified as key for me, since I'm tall and often take long road trips. I enjoy being able to change my leg position a bit, and this is constricted in the Gen 5. A lot.

The rear hatch is approximately 3.5 inches narrower. (I measured this a bunch of posts ago, so that's not exact, but close.). And, of course, it's also shorter. You will not be able to load some objects that fit fine in the Gen 4, even my Prime. This is a fact, I have tested it. Forget about putting larger adults in the back seat - not gonna be a nice ride for 6 footers, especially whoever sits behind me. The only thing that seems bigger, wider - is the dash board. It goes forever. And that's not entirely bad. There are some design features I really like about the Gen 5, but to say it's not smaller - then point to the external measurements as objective proof - misses the whole point.

I may well trade my 22 Prime in on a new Prime in the next month or two - one is coming in with my name on it, but it's not without a lot of tough decisions. Will I be OK on those long two-day excursions, with 10-11 hours per day behind the wheel? I'm fine at present with my Gen 4; will I regret trading to a Gen 5? Will I hate having to cram my seasonal tires-on-wheels in there twice a year? Probably. What about that impulse purchase that won't quite fit in my new ride? I really wish we could have had the choice between two Priuses - one with mostly the old body style and upgraded battery, and maybe engine, and the new ersatz sports sedan. It may be ugly, but the Gen 4 is much more practical than the Gen 5. And yeah, it's bigger!

 

About as close to the behavior of a jilted lover as you're gonna find outside of an actual relationship. You can't help but feel sympathy.

 

they just arent substantial like my Gen II . heck my genIII are way too flimsy No worries though i wouldnt look at these till 10 yrs old

 

Ebbinghaus illusion... Which orange circle "looks" smaller? LOL

 

I've seen both in person. The Gen 5 is more pleasing and sporty and powerful. Its a tool for a job. Given the cost and availability I've decided to go BEV. But I still always ask for a Gen 4 Prius at every AVIS counter I visit.