All the stuff I've loaded into my Prime's cargo area

I remove the front and rear passenger seat headrests, slide the front seat all the way forward, and tilt the front seat all the way back before dropping the rear seat (or maybe the other way around, it only works well one way). That makes a space about 2ft wide by over 8ft long.

 

Thanks, I'm gonna test this!

 

Pretty easy!

 

Just for reference, this 45” x 72” moving blanket is a nice fit. I can’t remember where I bought it but Harbor Freight has some similar ones for $4.

 

Yep... we've always kept one folded up in the back.Hey, one nevah knows do one!

 

Good idea! I keep a big blue tarp in my car. Filthy hiker tip.

 

Costco Run

 

Same

 

So I'm in the early days of planning out my next ride, and thinking I want to go the PHEV route. I love my Gen3 so the Prius Prime is the natural first choice... But I do completely jam the hatch full of stuff at times, so the smaller cargo space gives me pause and makes me think maybe the Rav4 Prime or Escape PHEV may be the ones to look at. Tideland's pic from 2019 (I'm quoting the post if that helps find it) shows that it's roughly the same floor area (maybe a smidge less front-to-back) as the Gen3, but my understanding is that it's shorter vertically (the floor is raised for the extra battery space).

Yet the Toyota Canada page says the 2022 Prius Prime is rated at 561 L of cargo space, while my 2010 was rated at 445 L. Did they change the way they measure those ratings, or is it that it looks like less vertical space compared to the Gen3, but is actually about the same? Were they not counting the under-floor bin in the 2010, or something else?

I suppose that when I get more serious I could just go to a dealer with a trunk full of boxes and see how they fit, but PriusChat usually has better answers for me

 

Thanks for confirming!

The kid is out of the carseat and pack-the-playpen-and-all-the-things stage, so maybe we could be more reasonable on cargo space, but most likely I think we'll be looking at that Rav4 or Escape for a PHEV (or give up on electrifying for another car ownership cycle and get another regular Prius).

Edit to add: I relayed that the cargo space is indeed smaller on the Prime to the wife, and she said "But it comes in TEEEEAAAAALLLLL. We can try packing less on the way up north next time..." I know she liked the colour but didn't realize it was worth compromising other things for

 

Sorry I wasn't clear -- it's definitely still on the shortlist. Just if I was scratching the Prius Prime off said list, perhaps I would add back the regular Prius (which would have plenty of cargo space). I don't love the idea of going up a size class, but it's hard to argue with the no-compromises approach of the Rav4 or Escape PHEVs. I like the idea of getting 90+% of my driving electrified, but OTOH, I don't drive all that much so even in a gas-only Prius I'm not burning that much gas.

Ok, it's obvious now that you've said it, but I genuinely never thought about that really smart compromise. So thanks (and a smack on the forehead for me). If I can find a roof box or trailer hitch cargo box in teal, it seems like the decision will be taken out of my hands

Yes... I was originally planning on upgrading in ~2022 and hoping the 5th gen would be out by then (and further hoping that Toyota would find a way like with the Rav4 to put the plug-in battery under the car or something to not sacrifice as much cargo space, or bring back the Prius V form factor as a plug-in). But seeing the thread that it had been pushed back to 2023 (maybe 2024?), combined with the spike in used car prices made me think I should start planning an upgrade a bit sooner. So no firm deadlines here, lots of time to think and quibble No real reason I can't wait an extra year or two for it to come out.

[And apologies for now dragging the thread off-topic from what you can fit in your Prius Prime]

 

Same here with one exception. Our new gas grill. I was optimistic and figured the box would fit in the Prime. Nope! It was about one inch from sliding in there but we wound up unboxing it there in the parking lot. Kind of a pain, but we got it home without having to leave it and go get the wife's 2017 Prius. It would have fit in her car with room to spare. That's the only time I felt like I should have had the regular Prius rather than the Prime.

 

I'm surprised with the stuff I've been able cram into my Prius, but there are times when it just doesn't hack it. Having no desire to own a truck/UTE/SUV, I use a trailer on one of my other cars An open landscapers trailer carries much more than a pickup truck (and is easier to load) while my enclosed trailer keeps things more securely.

An added benefit is being able to pick up a load of manure,pallet of mulch, etc, drive home and and hitch up to the tractor to bring it where needed.

 

I do that too. But I don't have a dressing gown, I'll have to buy one.

 

I use a Harbor Freight silver tarp, perhaps 8-feet by 4-feet, in the back. Not as nice of a fit, but the sides cover enough area to 'cup' the center section to keep the sand on the tarp.

 

I used a moving blanket for years till I broke down and got a Weathertech mat in case of wet spills. But I still like that moving blanket.