I am chafing at the bit to buy a Prius c. The only thing holding me back is the uncertainty of cargo space. I have a 2002 Nissan Sentra and can fit a lot of stuff in the trunk and back seat when going away on a trip, usually loaded up to the ceiling and the trunk stuffed. There is not much space behind the Prius c back seat, but I’m wondering it the folded down back seats can make up for some of lost trunk space.
I'm guessing you can fit more stuff in a subcompact hatchback than a compact sedan. That's my experience anyway.
My boyfriend and I have been camping with mine twice. We fit two large coolers, a large tote, two backpacks, two pillows, two sleeping bags, coats, extra blankets, some other random stuff, and a guitar. No room for a third passenger, but the stuff fit great. If there's anything you haul regularly, or something particularly tall or long, perhaps you could take it with you to the dealership to make sure it will fit.
My wife and I leave the back seats folded down. We have plenty of room. We are on a trip 700 miles from home now. Perfect car for 2 people like us. Dan
I was wondering the same thing before. Here is a picture of the cargo space with back seats down that I found on the internet: Source: 2012 Prius c Specifications - CleanMPG Forums
With the rear seats up I can fit three milk crates side by side in the trunk. Not a lot of room left over.
This was my biggest concern about this particular car. I had a Camry before so it had tons of space. However, I just got back from 10 days in a cabin in the woods. I needed to bring with me: all food (to feed five people for a week) water alcohol clothing LOTS of bedding and towels smaller stuff--books, movies, laptop, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. my two 60 pound dogs 20 pound bag of dog food -------------------------- NO problem on the way up. On the way back, I had to add two bags of trash, a bunch of empty alcohol bottles, and a large trash bag filled with perishables from the refrigerator --------------------------- NO problem on the way home. I will say that I was the only person in the car. It would have been tighter if I could not have used the front passenger seat for stuff, but I think with more effort to packing conservatively that can be done. I do not put the back seats down, as that becomes where the dogs hang for the drive. I also removed the cover on the lift back part, it just bugged me.
I don't carry a lot of stuff in my C but the one day my grandma and I bless her heart wanted to go out and we had a third person with us she wanted to take her walker so we fold it all up and IT DOESN'T fit in the hatch area otherwise I would have stuck it in front of the rear seats but since we had a third person and possibly a 4th we couldn't take my car. There is some room back there for small items for like when you go shopping for groceries or something. Some people were able to go camping with their C which is cool. If more room is needed fold the seats down I guess. Sorry I wasn't much help. Since my car is new I try not to haul things in it eat drink all that jazz lol.
We have packed mine full with cornhole boards, coolers, 1 overnight bag and one small suitcase, and lawn chairs to go to the races with no problem and plan on taking it to Florida in a month with all our luggage. We will be using just the 60 side folded down for the suitcases and don't figure we will have any problems.
I took my snowboard to the dealership to confirm it would fit - I told them if it did not fit that was a deal breaker for sure. Seats down and it fit. I also just got home from 5 days camping - it was a tight fit, but was able to make it work. As long as you are not a contractor who needs to move sheets of plywood or furniture regularly, the cargo space should be sufficient for most needs. All of the gas savings can be used to rent a larger vehicle for the couple times you may need to move some large items.
Thanks to everybody for your helpful replies. I am tempted to take the Prius c out for a test run, bring it home and see how much stuff I can fit in it. Ha, ha, ha. In 1975, I bought a first generation Honda Civic Hatchback. Everything I needed fit perfectly back then, but nowadays it seems like we need a lot more storage space. Of course, I could always buy a regular Prius, but the c is soooo much cooler.
You are absolutely correct. The "cool factor" is worth a lot to me. My neighbor, just this week, bought a V. It is nice and roomy inside but does not come close to what I think the C is. She took it on a 500 mile, one way, trip this week. I keep emailing her for mileage. She won't tell me. They saw that we got 52.5 with the C on our interstate trip to Indy and on up to Romeo, Mi. I have told them twice they need to get on this forum to learn how to drive their new vehicle. Will pin her down on mileage when we both get home. Dan
No laughter necessary! When I test drove the C and fell in love with it, I told the dealer I would have to bring my husband back later in the day so he could test drive it as well (he was not feeling well and slept in that morning). The dealer told me I could take the C home with me and "bring in back in a few hours after your husband's had a chance to drive it around a bit." I was stunned that they were willing to do that, and that's just what we did.
For what it's worth - today I fit a sousaphone, a 4/4 rotary tuba, an F trombone, a baritone saxophone, four trumpets, two trombones, four flutes, seven clarinets, an oboe, a double horn and my toolbox behind the front seats with some room to spare! I just picked up my new C4 5 days ago - it is my new pickup/deliver vehicle for my instrument repair business. Best capital investment yet!
I had to chuckle at this as I played the trombone and sousaphone in the high school band. Glad there are still folks repairing these instruments. Did you get the bell of the sousaphone in the car too? Dan
For me, at age 58, it is price, reliability, mpgs, cargo space, comfort, and yes, coolness, that determines a new car purchase. The Prius c. remains a definite possibility.
If anyone is still interested, I compared the combined passenger and cargo space of my current 2002 Nissan Sentra with the Prius c and the total came out even. Totally amazing. All that's left is the test drive and the purchase. I am psyched!
Absolutely! The bell socket was out-of-round so I had to have both sections. I wish I had taken a picture! And hello from KG4ONJ! Michael
Is it possible to sleep in the prius c? i.e. camping I have read on this site that some one thats 6 feet one inch slept in his prius c...wondering if any one else has tested this out and if they have pictures....that would be great!!!