I see that the base model of the Prius/Prius Prime has about 3 cu ft additional storage. Looks like that's the result of smaller/missing underfloor storage compartment. The underfloor space is not very useful to me. Can I get rid of it in the upper trims to gain the 3 cu ft space?
Yes/no. You can't get rid of it as a new car option from Toyota. If you get one of the upper trims, you're stuck getting the deeper storage tray from the factory(unless you can arrange a swap with someone who's buying a lower trim and wants to trade). That being said, there's nothing stopping you from swapping out the trays yourself if you're willing to spend the money. There's no physical difference between the steel in the different trims, so either tray will work in any trim. We're just waiting for Toyota to update their parts system with the 2023 models to see what the exact costs will be and whether we'll need a different tray cover as well. But don't think you can go without any tray and still use the stock tray cover. This time around Toyota used a fairly weak cover that needs support underneath it. If you pull out the white tray and just lay the cover down on the body pan, it will bend all over the place and likely crease and/or crack/tear. Another thing to consider is which is more valuable for your needs: a little deeper storage or a flat floor with the seats down. If you go with the shallow tray, there will be two different height sections to the cargo floor when the back seats are down(with a small sloped section between them). If you regularly haul oversized items, the small gain in total cargo area might not be worth the frustration of an unlevel floor. But if you hardly ever lower the rear seats, then the shallower tray might be worth it to maximize your cargo area. One other small thing to consider is that the shallower tray will make it slightly tougher to lift things in and out of the cargo area. If you have back problems or will be loading/unloading things frequently, it's something to consider. It's not a huge difference between the two trays, but it could be an issue for a small group of buyers.
Also, you wouldn't want to just remove the cargo tray for more space. There is wiring under that cargo tray, including high voltage cables in AWD models. It will need protecting in some manner if not getting the LE cargo floor tray.
hmmmm like A piece of custom cut masonite and outdoor carpet? Maybe WeatherTec can save the day with an injection molded rear cargo cover
