1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Gen4 and Gen3 headroom and legroom, front, rear comparison

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Mar 12, 2016.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Couple posts piqued my interest, so I compared headroom and legroom in 2016 Prius Two (gen4) and 2015 Two (gen3) liftbacks with no moonroof using angle meter and fingers to measure.

    I found gen4 has more maximum front legroom and headroom, a tiny bit more rear headroom, but less rear minimum** legroom than gen3. This is how I did it. (**consider you can create more rear legroom by sliding front seats forward)

    Slid both driver seats full back, lowered full down, angle meter, set seatbacks to 70 degrees measured below center seam (ground on 2 degree slope, negligible). Power seat or manual doesn't matter.

    Driver's seats, stacking fingers vertically, measured how many I could pass through between head and roofliner. results:
    gen4 driver headroom: 6 finger space
    gen3 driver headroom: 4 finger space

    Front passenger side, slid full back, 65 degree seatback results:
    gen4 front passenger headroom: 4 finger space
    gen3 front passenger headroom: 2 1/2 finger space, definitely not 3

    I didn't measure front legroom, but gen4 clearly has more max driver and passenger legroom.

    In gen4 rear seats, both sides, with front seat in same position above results:
    gen4, knees touching back of seats, less footroom, about an inch headroom.

    gen3 rear seats, 2 finger space between knees and seatback, more footroom, my head touches roofliner when leaning back on headrest

    So, gen4 can accomodate taller front passengers. Can slide seats forward leaving good front and rear legroom. Lose quite a bit of glovebox space in gen4, but gen 4 front cupholders and door map pockets much better than gen3. You lose underfloor tray in gen4 but its rear suspension and sound deadening foam around spare tire (if you have one :eek:) much better.

    That's all folks ;)
     
    #1 cycledrum, Mar 12, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2016
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,025
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Interestingly, I found more rear headroom in the Gen 4 than in the Gen 3. Leaning back into the headrest, I would brush the headliner on the Gen 3 (because you're not sitting directly under that curved cutout for extra headroom). On the Gen 4, I can sit back with my head on the headrest and still have a bit of space (not by much) above my head.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Mar 12, 2016
    cycledrum likes this.
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Seemed like when sitting normally in back, I didn't want to lean into headrest, but I know what you mean in gen3 how there's the cutout in roofliner and if lean back into headrest, roofliner comes down there. Maybe I'll try the back again sometime. Front was a slam dunk with more max headroom in gen4 and btw, the front seatbacks and headrests are better in gen4. Steering wheel position towards tall driver / deeper footwell to pedals better in gen4. I drive my 2011 slid full back / down, 68 degree seatback (pretty upright) and it's a stretch to steering wheel, like nearly straight arm Formula 1 driving or SLT.
    :confused:
     
    #3 cycledrum, Mar 14, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You are right, the gen4 has a little more rear headroom than gen3 when leaning back into the headrest. Thanks
     
    #4 cycledrum, Mar 16, 2016
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  5. BJOhio

    BJOhio New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi all. I know this thread is more than a year old, but I am trying to get a comparison of driver headroom between Gen 2 (2008/09) and Gen 3 (2012/13). I am 5'11', but I tend to sit forward, upright, and with a pillow under me to keep my hips above my knees (good for the back).

    I've seen references to the Gen 3 as having a peak that is farther back, which makes me wonder if there is some lost driver headroom.
     
    #5 BJOhio, Apr 27, 2017
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,025
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Officially (according to the brochure), the Gen 2 has 39.0" of front headroom and the Gen 3 has 38.3" (without the moonroof). It should be noted that the Gen 3 has a height-adjustable driver's seat while the Gen 2 does not.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Apr 27, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  7. BJOhio

    BJOhio New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks!
     
    #7 BJOhio, Apr 27, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  8. BJOhio

    BJOhio New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Tideland, maybe you have a perspective on this question I've asked elsewhere:

    New to Prius, was about to buy a 2013 Prius 3 from a local dealer, with 65k miles, for $13k (the mechanic that inspected it and test-drove it kept looking at it with amazement, saying it was like a new car, and I thought I'd better put my money down before he bought it out from under me), but someone told me that the Gen 2s are a better way to go because A. The water pump on Gen 3s will destroy the engine in minutes when it goes out, and B. The water pump, and every other part, will be much more expensive to replace than on a Gen 2. This is coming from the proprietor of Auto Be Yours (couldn't post the web link because I'm new), so he may be biased in that he deals almost entirely in Gen 2 and was rather scornful of the Gen 3. He also said that Gen 2 has a much more spacious "cockpit". He offers rebuilt 2009s for MUCH cheaper, and will put a brand new battery in for $950.

    Since then, I've read posts on this site, which seem to say that there are some faults in the Gen 3 (at least the 2010) that make the battery less long-lasting, and that maybe they are not as well-built as Gen 2, suggesting that Toyota made the Gen 1 and 2 to be very impressive, and then skimped on the Gen 3.

    What's the update on this topic? I would love to go buy this 2013 right now, but I don't want to be spending more on something that will then cost tons to repair/maintain, and maybe even wreck the engine with a water pump failure.

    Another complaint I've heard about is that Gen 3 components might be chinsy-er than Gen 2.
     
    #8 BJOhio, Apr 27, 2017
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have no idea about the longevity of the product, but my experience of test driving a Gen 2 vs driving a Gen 3 - I wouldn't own a Gen 2, the Gen 3 was so much better in comparison to drive.

    [You're on the Gen 4 FORUM - last year, having never owned, but having test driven both Gen 2 and 3 and bought a FORD instead, when I drove the Gen 4 last year - it was so far superior to the Gen 2/3 to drive, I finally bought one.]
     
    #9 alanclarkeau, Apr 27, 2017
  10. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,802
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Seems you are sitting lower in the saddle.

    And the saddle is plastic.
     
    #10 ETP, Apr 28, 2017
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,803
    11,366
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    And they basically asked the same question in 2 threads. I answered in their Newbie thread where these postings belong.
     
    #11 Prodigyplace, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  12. BJOhio

    BJOhio New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2017
    12
    6
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Sorry. I'm unfamiliar with how these forums work, and I didn't know who was seeing what threads where. Just looking for knowledgeable counsel. Thanks again.
     
    #12 BJOhio, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,206
    50,078
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    steve at aby knows his stuff. there is some truth to what he is saying, but also hyperbole. gen 2 has about as many issues as gen 3, maybe the battery was designed to last a little longer, parts are expensive for both, we are not seeing a lot of ten 3 failure except the 2010 oil issue.

    what kind of 'new battery' is he putting in for $950., and what is the warranty, and why does a 2009 need a new battery?
    if you're close by to steve, you won't likely go wrong buying a car from him, and having him service it.
    but you won't likely go wrong with a 2013 either.
     
    #13 bisco, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  14. KurtZ

    KurtZ New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2017
    1
    1
    0
    Location:
    South carolina
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    hi I have a gen 3 and I am not impressed with the new body style mine is a 2014. How long do I have to wait for Toyota to come out with another body style, I love my P but it won't last forever or will it.
     
    #14 KurtZ, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,803
    11,366
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    You mean the Prius Prime or the new Camry Hybrid based on TNGA ?
     
    #15 Prodigyplace, Apr 28, 2017
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,025
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    So far, Prius' life cycle has been 6 years (2004-2009, 2010-2015) so we can probably expect 6 years from 2016 before a completely new design. There's a very good possibility the Gen 5 Prius will be plug-in only (between Toyota saying they're looking into the possibility as well as legislation from China, US and eventually Europe [it may end up being competition from European manufacturers since they're jumping straight to the PHEV scene])

    In the meantime, the Prius c redesigned. We don't know the status of the Prius v but if it's not discontinued, it may be redesigned too.
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,803
    11,366
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    Is Prius c TNGA?
     
    #17 Prodigyplace, Apr 28, 2017
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,025
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    No. As of this writing, it's just the 4th Gen Prius.

    Come May, there'll be the CH-R.
    Come this fall, there'll be the 2018 Camry.

    That's all that has been confirmed thus far.
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  19. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,803
    11,366
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    The Prime too.
     
    #19 Prodigyplace, Apr 28, 2017
    RCO likes this.
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,025
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Oops. Yes the Prime is too.
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Apr 28, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)