I had a discussion with someone who believes it's a compact. It is midsize, correct? Also, could someone provide links that prove either? Thanks.
Yes, the 04-06 Prius is a midsize. The earlier Prius I was a compact. www.fueleconomy.gov lists size class of vehicle and interior room.
There are two popular ways to classify compact and mid-size (etc.) - interior volume: Yes, Prius is a mid-size in this category. Believe it or not, my BMW 540iA is classified as a compact. No kidding. My bimmer has smaller interior volume (cargo space included) than my Prius. This is the way EPA classify vehicles today. - wheel-base: No, Prius is considered a compact due to its shorter wheel base. This is the more traditional way how most Americans look at the size of vehicles. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml#sizeclasses
It's a "hybrid"! By that I mean that in terms of interior length, it is midsized. I htink there is less than an inch difference between a Prius and a Camry. Rear seat legroom is awesome for a small car! It's width is where it feels more like a compact. Three in the back is just not comfortable. Overall, it's a "small midsize" to me--lots of room for stuff and legs, not so much for hips.
For comparison's sake, the interior room of the Prius is comparable to that of the Camry, minus about .6 cubic feet I think it is? Based on that, it is considered a mid-sized car. The exterior of the Prius has about the same footprint as the Corolla, making it nimble enough to fit into compact parking spaces that a Camry might not be able to fit into. The turning radius is excellent.
Ok, I checked out fueleconomy.gov and it's techinically listed as a midsize. But I do agree that it seems very much like a small midsize.
I compared the length of my Honda Accord to the Prius. The Prius is 12" shorter. It's wheelbase is only 1" shorter than Accord. The weight is 600 pounds lighter at 2845 lbs. It seems like the roof is higher and the width is almost identical. Consumer re[ports gives high marks to the Prius, but says it's not a mid sized sedan. I think it is a small mid size sedan.
I think the Prius interior was designed using dimensionally folded space. While its not as wide inside as a Honda Accord the distance between the seatback and the steering wheel is larger and you have a subject feeling that the interior volume is nearer to a full-size car. The problem is that if you have an accident the folding of space collapses and you just disappear into some other dimension. :blink: The advantage is there is no mess to clean up. B)
A side-by-side comparison of the 2006 Prius and 2006 Camry SE from Autobytel.com (look at the size differentials): 2006 Toyota Camry SE Sedan .................2006 Toyota Prius Liftback Hatchback General Information Estimated Market Price $18,810.14 ........... $21,846.55 Invoice $18,132.00 ..................................$20,006.00 List Price $20,375.00 ...............................$21,725.00 Vehicle Class Midsize ................................Midsize Overall Satisfaction Rating 84 out of 100 ....97 out of 100 Performance Engine 2.4L 4 Cylinder ................................ 1.5L 4 Cylinder Drive FWD FWD Transmission 5 speed Manual OD ................speed Variable Speed Automatic OD Compression Ratio 9.60:1........................... 13.00:1 Horsepower 154 hp @5700rpm ....................110 hp @5000rpm Torque 160@ 4000 ......................................82@ 4200 Bore 3.48 ..................................................2.95 Stroke 3.78 ...............................................3.33 Fuel Capacity 18.50 gallons ........................ 11.90 gallons Fuel Type Unleaded ................................... Gas/Electric Fuel Delivery SEFI ..................................... MPFI MPG City 24............................................... 60 MPG Highway 33 ........................................ 51 Convenience Features Air Conditioning Std ................................... Std Power Windows Std ....................................Std Power Door Locks Std ................................ Std Tilt Steering Wheel - .................................... - Cruise Control Std .....................................Std Leather Seats N/C ..................................... Opt Power Seats Std .......................................... - Tachometer Std ...........................................- Rear Defroster Std ...................................... Std Full Spare - .................................................. - Premium Wheels Opt................................... Std AM/FM Radio Std ......................................... Std Cassette Player - ........................................... - CD Player Std .............................................Std Sunroof - .....................................................- MoonRoof Std - Dimensions Wheelbase 107.1" ...................................... 106.3" Overall Length 189.2" ................................. 175.0" Vehicle Height 58.7" .................................... 58.1" Vehicle Width 70.7" ..................................... 67.9" Seating Capacity 5 ....................................... 5 Cargo Capacity (Cars) 17 ............................16 Front Headroom (Cars) 39.2" ....................... 39.1" Front Legroom (Cars) 41.6".......................... 41.9" Rear Legroom 37.8" ...................................... 38.6" Payload Capacity (Trucks) Not Applicable Not Applicable Gross Weight (Trucks) Not Applicable Not Applicable Towing Capacity (Trucks) 907 Not Applicable Final Assembly Location USA J Legend GRP Not Available for individual purchase RET Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price STD Standard equipment for this model DLR Dealer installed PKG Available as part of an option package N/C No Charge N/R Status not provided by manufacturer N/A Not Available OPT Optional Equipment PIO Port Installed Option - Data Not Available * Note applies to this vehicle Pardon all the dots. Wanted to sorta line everything up. Here's the link to the website on which the comparison was performed.
Overall, it is the 3-inch-narrower and 14-inch-shorter that make people "feel" Prius is a compact when in fact, it is midsize from space perspective. After all, The Prius sit on Corolla chasis and have space as large as Camry.
Compared to bloated American scale cars, sure the Prius seems like it should be a “compact†. . . but in comparison to my parent's Ford Taurus, my 6'1†200+ pound body fits better in the Prius. The Prius just feels larger inside. The roof feels higher, the windscreen and dash further away, and it doesn't feel like I am sitting inside of a heavy iron beast. Best Car Value Under $23,000 - Toyota Prius Best of Midsize Class Under $21,000 – Toyota Prius http://www.intellichoice.com/best_values/bovy
I don't think the Prius uses the Corolla chassis. It's on its own platform. The Matrix uses the Corolla chassis.
thanks Rancid... hmmm the Prius is narrower and shorter but seems to out do the Camry in other areas. i have had 5 people in my Prius several times and all have been very impressed with the legroom. my sister says that when riding in my car, it feels like "we are barely going 30 mph"... so many complain about the harsh ride, but my sister is very impressed. her car... Honda Civic.
The Camry feels larger because of its width, yes. Just treat the backseat of the Prius as a two-person limo lol.
The roof is definately higher. I have to stand on a milk crate to wash it. When I wash my Accord I don't need the crate.
