I was at my in-laws in rural northern Ohio over the weekend. My mother-in-law and I went out to the Prius to run an errand. We were soon joined by my father-in-law (250 lbs.), brother-in-law (6'5" and about 280 lbs.), and my brother-in-law's granddaughter. I later estimated that our total weight was about 940 lbs. The car was a bit sluggish on our 12 mile round trip, but not awful. My brother-in-law sat behind me on the way out, and he said the room wasn't bad at all. I checked the door sill tonight and the max passenger & cargo capacity is 825 lbs. - less 10 lbs. per an adjacent sticker. Oops.
Usually the max weight has a little underkill for margins like what you just did. However they are there as a recommended max for the vehicle and still have safe handling and to operate properly in case of an emergency. Probably ok but I wouldn't make a habit of it.
Absolutely true. Last Saturday, we had four "substantial" adults - plus a three-year old in a car seat - and drove onto a truck scale. 4325 pounds - well above max gross vehicle weight. Plenty of room. Plenty of AC. No ground clearance problems - no groaning noises - and the MFD never fell below 53 mpg. As you say - I won't make a habit of it.
Oh my GOD !!!!! According to some here ... your warranty is now null and void, and Toyota technicians will NEVER work on your car again !!!! Just kidding of course. REV
I've had some passengers who could be described as substantial or horizontally challenged and the Prius has been ok. Sometimes the front seat creaks a little. I remember I once had a family with fuller figures who when driving down a bumpy road complained that there wasn't much give in the suspension! I had to hold my tongue thinking to myself "there was before you lot got in"
