Lack of Storage

There is a nice pocket on the floor just under the seat adjustment levers on both sides. We put groceries behind the front seats so they don't roll around in the cargo area. We reserve that for flat items, Coke, fertilizers, etc.

There is a secret hiding place under the steering wheel. That is where the service department will hook up their diagnostics computer. That area is all open under there.

 

I don't seem to have a pocket in mine...just the under the seat area. Is this only in higher level Prii? I have a II.

 

There is another storage convenience missing in the Gen III: Gen II had a well in the back of the lower glove compartment. I found it quite useful for storing the case containing manuals, service records, and other car related papers. There was enough room to also put my screen maintenance kit (a cloth and screen solution) in there.

 

Yes, and I think both the upper and lower glove compartments are smaller. They're not lined either, like the Gen II was, so things clatter around. We're also missing map pockets on the front doors and have instead that silly little bottle holder.

People who didn't own a previous generation Prius might not find the space lacking, but gen II owners are spoiled! There was so much more storage space.

Just recently I moved to a new office building. My cube is nicer, newer, and more modern than my old one, but I can't fit what I brought with me from my old office into my new space (even though I had thrown out quite a bit before moving). Same with the Prius!

 

I agree with the comments regarding the lack of storage and I specifically would have liked to have had more dashboard storage in the area now obstructed by the "flying" console. Hinged lift-up armrest covers would have been a good idea.

 

It's been my personal experience that the more places I have to put stuff the more crap ends up there. To me the Prius has the perfect amount of storage and forces meto think about what I keep in the car. (Now if only I can learn to apply that principle to my home!)

 

Interesting to know. I haven't sat in the new one, but have an 06 and found that I was using the cup holders for phone, ID badge, etc. and found a little tray to hold those things and trash bag - The Car Cubby - Toyota Prius Storage Accessory - works great.

 

this what i got from a japanese auto accessories store:

 

I miss the map pockets in the doors, its where I kept the front sun shade in my G2. I also mess the cubby under the radio with the door, really can keep things in there and keep they hidden. Cubbies were a hallmark of Japanese auto design, and it seems that Toyota forgot its roots.

 

@khartlein: I feel your pain about that void in the console under the gear shifter. Like you, my boyfriend isn't keen on trying to rig something in his shiny new car. I think he's starting down that path, though; he's already picked up some odd gadgets in an attempt to position his iPhone in his field of vision. I did see another thread addressing that; I'll have to send him that information.

While he'd prefer Toyota/OEM equipment, I figure for something like this we're sadly out of luck.

So, if anyone has any suggestions/options they've found as far as a console organizer for the 2010 Prius, I'd be pleased as punch to hear about them. I'll return the favor should we find/discover something.

@Tideland Prius: I *lovelovelove* the coin drawer in my '03 Camry! If wishes were fishes, I'd make that thing a standard feature in EVERY vehicle!

Thanks much, everyone.

 

The "botttle" holder in the door is exactly the right size to hold a "kitchen" size dry-chemical fire extinguisher, firmly, with no rattles. That makes it far more accesible than if it were in the "trunk." That size extinguisher goes for less than fifteen bucks.

 

The top glove box is a good stash spot!!
The shelf under the shifter I'm throwing
stuff on it all the time. there's a spot
between the cup holder and center console
my phone fits in perfectly! oh yeah, try
the sunglasses holder for other things??
Put your glasses in a case in side pocket!

 

i think they overlooked storage in their zealousness to make the interior more attractive to new buyers. it's one of the things that made me hold off to see what else is coming. i like lots of flexible cupholders and storage areas. why not have a flat spot on the dashboard where you can put a few things temporarily. i hate these curvy sloped dashboards. our hycam has 2 nice cupholders and a square box the same depth behind the shifter and a little drawer for change or whatnot to the left of the steering wheel. i miss our old camry's double lidded two layer center console. now, that was handy!

 

I too so miss the side pockets on the door as well. Also, since I have the solar roof, I don't have a sunglass holder at all. Can't put 2 drinks in the front seat anymore, the "cup" holders are filled with change. Oh and since I don't have the storage space below the radio anymore, I don't have any pens in the car to record my mileage on my receipts - now I use my iPhone to take a picture. I do like getting higher gas mileage with my 2010 vs. my 2007.

 

how much has your mileage gone up? that's one of the things i'm trying to get a handle on before trading up from 08!

 

There's a "secret" tray under the center compartment. When you move the arm rest all the way back and lift up, you'll find the tray. Some people use it for ipods, but it's my coin tray. The fact that's it's fairly hidden is an added bonus.

 

Interesting thread.

I find that the 2010 Prius has more storage available to the driver than my previous car, a 1998 Volvo S70. I leave my phone in my pocket and it connects via BT. With a Toll Tag, I don't need a place for change. With XM I'm not using the iPod or iPhone for music.

The cup holder in the door holds my huge sunglass case.

There is more space in either of the glove compartments than there was in the one in the Volvo.

I do sort of miss having a trunk instead of the hatchback, from a security standpoint, but the flexibility for toting large things around is amazing.

 

Anything in this tray spills out when trying to access the storage console under the tray. Very hard and awkward to access when actually sitting in the driver seat. This tray is one of my primary storage gripes with the Prius Gen ////. Sure, if it is an ipod that stays there all the time, but for day-to-day storage it is a bad solution. No usable coin tray in the Prius resorting to cup holders, bags, tupperware containers.