Does anyone know the largest size panel that will fit in the back of a Prius? I'm wanting to haul two things, both of which can be cut on site. One is cattle panel (4'x16'), which will be cut into pieces for gardening trellises and cages. The other is tile board to make a cheap dry erase board. Both items are thin and slightly bendy. I'd like to get the largest piece I can fit out of each of these. By the way, in case anyone's wondering if it's possible, I have no trouble hauling 10' pieces of conduit or pvc pipe, by placing them diagonally and propping one end wrapped in towel onto the dash, even with a passenger. I drive a 2015 with a solar roof.
There's a saying: measure twice, cut once. But in your case it's ask someone else to measure and then cut twice, once to fit in the car and once to fit in it's location as a trellis. I'd highly recommend you find another way to get those materials home or install a roof rack or hitch and trailer. Odd are you'll have to cut so much to get it to fit in the car you'll realize later that what little remains won't work and you have to buy another one. I can fit 10 foot boards and poles in my Prius with front of boards where front right passenger feet go and angles back to back left corner of car and hatch still closes, but that doesn't work for panels wider than a foot or two via reclining front passenger seat.
I I don't have an answer to your questions, but if I wanted to move those two items, I'd rent the truck from Home Depot. I just Googled it, and it says $19 for the first 75 minutes. Just something to consider.