2010 Center console design: no-lie-made me decide not to buy a new one

2" clearance between knee and floating bridge console while driving.

For the guy who says knee hits console while braking ... I don't buy that. If knee not hitting while on gas, it's sure not going to bump console while braking. If hitting knee while using gas pedal, adjust the seat.

that said, I wouldn't try to jump over console to the passenger seat.

 

Hi cycledrum,

Once my foot is on the brake, its not touching the console. Its when shifting my foot from the gas pedal to the brake that the console interferes with the motion of my leg....

If I adjust the seat to avoid this, I wont be able to reach the steering wheel....

 

Hmmm, at just shy of 6', I haven't noticed any problems with the telescoping range of the steering wheel or had my knee or leg bump the center console. Then again, when I shift from accelerator to brake pedal, I just pivot my foot. It's darn near impossible for me to bump my knee or leg into anything when it's really not moving. In fact, there's a nice little indentation spot on the all weather floor mat where you can see that the heel of my shoe sits.

I can understand where the center console could become a bit of an inconvenience for some people, and in fact, there are times I wish it didn't sit quite so high myself. I tend to make quick stops at the store while I'm going to/from work and have always put that bag or two on the passenger seat or floor. That center console does require me to lift my hand up a bit to get the bags there, and reaching them from the floor is a bit of a stretch.

That said, I do like that it brings the controls closer to me as a driver. I've driven an 08 that my friend owns, and I feel like I have to lean forward to reach some of the controls.

To each his own, really. It works for some, not for others. I find it to be a great spot for the humongous tissue box from Costco and my winter gloves. They fit perfectly, and now the tissue box isn't flying around the back of the car all the time.

 

I hear ya and sorry about that. Maybe turn foot and not move leg so much?

Many called for telescopic steering wheel and 2010 got it. There's just one teenie, tiny little problem - Of the 1.5" scope range, only 0.5" goes closer to driver compared to 2nd gen wheel. I'm sure we didn't ask for 1" of that range to go closer to the dash than the 2nd gen, but that's what we got. I could live with it, but it could be better.

I doubt they'll have a floating bridge console for MY 2016 at this rate. They ought to be able to pull off a nice low, semi-sporty console like found in so many cars

- from back to forward : armrest/storage box, cup holders, shifter, climate buttons, touchscreen, audio unit, center vents.

 

I'm 6'3" and fit fine, but I agree I'm not a big fan of the flying buttress. But it's hardly a deal breaker. I really like my $23k 50MPG midsize car.

 

I"ve noticed some people "slump" in thier seat... not because their head will hit but rather just because they like to slump when they drive.
Positioning of the seat has everything to do with how comfortable I am.

I "can't" slump of my lower back will start aching, I like it a little closer than most so it forces me to sit straight... even with that, I'm 6" and have no problems.

Having said that, I could scoot the seat back quite a bit farther.. that makes me think anyone who is having problems must really be a slump driver.... could be wrong but just trying to figure out whats up?

I could maybe see for someone who is 7 foot four.

The steering wheel does seem a little low but is adjustable.

I did drive the car for several months before I realized how the steering wheel would extend or retract.... don't know if thats an issue....

At any rate, I would like to see pictures of someone having issues... might help to understand.

Pictures would give a good indication of all these factors.

 

Hi Alan,

No pics to provide just words.

I've got legs just over 35" inseam, maybe same as some who are 6'6" or more.

I can slide the 2010 seat all way back / down and reach pedals well, best position.

I set the seatback yesterday as upright as I would ever set it. No slumping/slouching, sitting up straight.

The steering wheel, of course pulled full out, was j-u-s-t b-a-r-e-l-y close enough to use. I like to cruise around with left arm on door armrest, left hand like 7:30 on wheel. Can only grip wheel up to about 2nd joint on index finger, otherwise would have to overly stretch arm to really grip it to base of thumb. No short arms here either. I wear 36" dress shirt sleeves.

I noticed this first time I test drove the 2010 in May 2009. Wasn't until I realized it's the foot pedals to steering wheel distance that enables the roominess or lack thereof in a car.

Many commented the 2nd gen Prius wheel needed telescopic, that it was too close to dash. I was a little ticked when measuring the 2010 wheel only extending 0.5" closer to driver. Anyone with access to 2nd and 3rd gen could easily verify this.

Wouldn't be a deal breaker, but it's one more important thing Toyota could improve in the next generation Prius. Of course with my big mouth, I've mentioned this several times in the sticky.

 

LOL!... without meaning disrespect to the Japanese.. I guess its hard to be mindful of how to configure a console driving arrangement thats for people with long legs....... those guys are hard to find in Japan!

Sounds like your measurements have me beat by about 3 inches.... seems thats the amount causing the problems.

I can't remember the details but folks who had the GenII actually did some seat customizing whereas they modified the seat so it actually mounted back a few more inches!

I wonder how hard it would be to disconnect and remove the seat and slide it back farther and slip the bolts in a few inches back?

If you know someone handy with a welding torch, it may be an easy fix to modify the seat brackets.

Without looking underneath... I don't know if it would be easier to do that or simply drill new holes in the floor to mount it back farther?

You would have to make sure there is still plenty of steel to hold for strength and also that there is no wiring or anything else to hit when drilling the new drill holes.

 

Love old bench seat, where my girl friend can seat next to me.

 

Alan,

That would be me. See signature.

Seat is already ace in 3rd gen. Good travel. No need to remount back. Nice reach to brake pedal with good thigh support. That's what I test for. It's when you (well, I) look down and see that steering wheel kinda up near the knees, oooh, that's going to make for a long reach forward.

Put your wheel full out and down, tape meaure from brake pedal to bottom of wheel, front face. You will find it 25.25" give or take. Civic is 26". Camry,Accord and GTI, 26.5" This is the dimension that allows a long legged driver to slide back farther and still steer well (not taking wheel thickness into account).

I really don't think the 3rd gen driver seat would need to slide back any more than it does. The sliders extends wayyy back from the rear mounts as it is. Also, when slid full back, room behind it is at minimum, which is actually what I want in a car - small car with good front room.

There's the old joke about some basketball player who had the front seat taken out of car to sit in backseat to drive. It's all rosey to move a seat far back to stretch legs out, but if can't reach steering wheel, you need autopilot steering.

 

Overall, as an Industrial Designer, I'd rate the III's IP as mostly an IMPROVEMENT in form and function to the Gen II. The only real nit is the location of the seat heater switches...it is POOR!

I don't miss the big BRIGHT "tv screen" glowing to brightly-for me-at night. The forms in the new IP "flow" nicely off the doors and by two toning it the effect is enhanced.....IMO, quite well done altho the plastics are a bit on the "cheap" side, but with the low gloss level more appealing, visually, than my wife's two-toned '09 Malibu's plastics.

At 6'2" I find that swoopy center to provide a nice knee rest, unlike the shapes in the Gen II...where my knee lacked support that was a good angle for me unless I put my hand between knee and IP: not a good way to drive! DFO

 

Hi Designeraccd,

Well, too bright a screen is an implementation fault, not a design fault.

If you have driven the Gen II, with the controls configured, you would find out during driving, almost everything can be done with the steering wheel buttons. There is hardly a need to operate the dashboard controls in that car, once you configure the controls for your driving enviorment. I miss this allot with the Gen III. Specifically, needed to look down to find the defroster buttons, versus just hitting them with my right thumb. This is a real big step backward in my opinion.

And having to look down for street directions, when navigating around a traffic jam is also a big step backward!

And having to reach for the shifter, rather than having it right next to the steering wheel is another big step backward. Especially, in that one might mash the radio controls when one misses, and screw up those settings. I find the lack of an up/down radio mode button not smart either, when one has AM, FM1,FM2, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, SAT4 to go through before getting back to FM1.

Making things pretty, and making them work are really two things. I think Industrial Design has swayed WAY off the workable, and WAY too far to the pretty. This 3rd Gen Prius is about as clear an example of that as I have persona experience with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Interesting: everyone, as I've learned over the years, percieve the same things differently. Overall, IMO, as a Industrial Designer I feel both visually and functionally the Gen III's IP is an improvement from the Gen II. I've done quite a few IP designs and it is far more DIFFICULT to do than a complete exterior, as I believe any expieranced Designer would agree.

However, one of the reasons I give clients a minimum (after trying to get useful INPUT from them before starting...) of 3 different designs (usually 5-6) to choose from initially is so the different people that are always involved can hopefully find something we can then develop/refine into final design proposals.

After sketches, CAID design work etc, ALL the car companies then build life size "spacebucks" to prove out in full scale 3D what they think will work. Some of the...uhh.."discussions" can get quite heated in search of the winning design! It does make life "interesting". Naturally Engineering realities plus CO$T factor into everything. Also, another little detail: no matter how good the final design (inside or out) is thought to be; somebody somewhere will not like something....hence all the CHOICES in the market place!!

The Profession is challenging, but I enjoy doing it now more than 36+ years ago when I started! DFO

 

The center console put me off of a new one too. I wound up buying an 08 package 6, NAV, keyless etc. Frankly I could have bought either but I actually liked the roominess feeling and layout of the older interior. I was also swayed by a few reviews of the new ones having rattles. The $15K price difference didn't hurt either.

 

2010 Center console design: no-lie-made me decide to buy a new one.
yea once I saw it and then sat in it that fancy console just screamed BUY ME
I didnt care about anything else

 

I had a good day renting a 2010 III w/nav the other day. Again, the car proved to be the best small-midsize hatchback in the US. 54 MPG's indicated while driving less than smoothly, no rattles, smooth nice ride quality. Although the center console is up a little high, sure doesn't hit my knee and the front to back room for my long legs is better than my modified 09. Quieter engine in the 2010. Top of my list.

 

I find the Gen III IP a big step backward from the Gen II. I too like the steering wheel buttons and MFD. Perhaps this is because I am a pilot, but if it were not for cost, I would prefer a glass cockpit in the Prius, where all of the instrumentation is displayed on two or three MFD style displays, although I would stay with the pseudo heads-up display for the speedometer.

Tom

 

I would assume so, plus the new design makes the MFD optional, rather than required. I think most of the new IP design was for two reasons: 1) Reducing costs, and 2) Making the controls more familiar to "normal" drivers. I believe it was a good decision on Toyota's part.

Tom

 

After being married for over 19 years, the center console design in the 2010 Prius was not a concern for me. She does not necessarily have to sit close to me while I drive ... I can hear her a mile away