Can you camp in 2023 Prius?

Ugh
Yes, you can SLEEP in any car. Don't call it camping or car camping, though. Please.

AFAIK all recent Toyota hybrids have the ability to tell it to not turn 'off' when parked, so the HVAC can run for hours with engine coming on as necessary.

We just got a Sienna - took it camping last weekend. Slept in a tent that is way more comfortable than the back of a van despite mid 30s for lows. We call that car camping. This whole instagram-vanlife stuff has ruined camping.

/rant :-D

 

there was something about the car shutting itself off every so many minutes

 

Heard Toyotas with push button start now have an auto shut off after 30 minutes to an hour, in case you walk away with forgetting to power off. It shouldn't activate if the key is still in the car. I think it can be disabled in a settings menu.

The new Prime has a Room mode that let's you run things while the car is charging.

People were camping and sleeping in the Prius back when I got my gen2, and this topic comes up with every new generation. There is even a subforum here for the topic now.
Living Life in a Prius | PriusChat

 

My first act after getting mine was to take a tour of 6 states. New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California.
It worked out pretty well for sleeping in. If you lock the doors from the inside with the driver’s side switch it will run all night. I had a tri-fold mattress in the back and had plenty of room for my chihuahua and me. I’m 5’ 10”. I used state parks for showers.
When I wanted to hike a trail dogs weren’t allowed on, I left it in ready mode and locked it with the manual key. When you open the door it asks if you want it to shut off in an hour. I didn’t trust that with my dogs life in 100° heat. I’ll need to experiment with that more.

 

Found these on amazon for if the weather is tolerable.




They zip up to give darkness and privacy or unzip to allow light in but mosquitoes and other bugs out.

 

I just wouldn't camp in a 2023. I hate to be a spoil sport. My 2019 LE was big enough for two people to "chill" in the back. And I'm 6'3! The new one...

If the 2023 is going to be your only car, then you'll have to make due. Hopefully you are average to smaller height. But if you're looking to invest in a "Prius Camper", DEFINITELY choose something like a 2019 LE. I'm guessing that is your sweet spot for a mix of latest technology and biggest camping space.

 

My partner and I (5'10") slept in my 2023 Prime two nights ago. We had plenty of room to stretch out with both seats pushed forward, but we put our heads under the hatch so our feet could dangle over the rear passenger footwells. It's kind of analogous to how my feet dangle over the edge of some beds, but it got uncomfortable enough in the morning that I'll throw more stuff in the footwell as a footrest if I ever do this again.

The night was cool and we arrived with plenty of charge, so I opted to leave the car and HVAC off rather than plugging in to the RV hookup overnight. I did, however, read up on the My Room Mode in the manual, and it seems it only shuts HVAC off if SOC gets too *low*, which shouldn't be a concern unless your charge current is weak and/or you're running HVAC high.

What surprised me the most was trying to put a kettle on the 120V/1500W in the morning and finding out that I had to unplug the car and turn it on before the 120V would work. What would've made sense to me was to leave the car plugged in and instantly replenish what I was using...though in hindsight I suppose I could've plugged the kettle straight into the RV outlet instead and the car's 120V is meant for when you don't have access to other power sources. Still, I'm beginning to suspect a lot of illogical decisions made with the design...more to be written up soon, maybe.

 

I sleep in my prius nightly. Both in the Gen 4 and Gen 5. Hotel Prius...

Yes, you can in a 23. But there's a few things you'll experience:
1. You've gotta make sure to hit the "Lock" doors button so that it doesn't yell at you at night that it's going to shut off.
2. You can't turn off the main driver's screen. You can only dim it. I choose to cover it up with clothes.
3. You can turn off the main center screen.
4. You can turn off that ambient mood lighting.
5. You can't turn off any interior lights. I use black duct tape liberally on the "P" button, and above center buttons.

You will notice the lower roof. Laying down, I can't prop up my leg at a 90 degree.

If you've considered the 23 prius, I would only consider the Prime as the benefits of having hvac on without the engine kicking on is really nice.
If you're considered the 23 prius for any other trim, skip it. You should definitely go with another car, or even better and older prius.

 

I sleep in my prius nightly. Both in the Gen 4 and Gen 5. Hotel Prius...

Yes, you can in a 23. But there's a few things you'll experience:
1. You've gotta make sure to hit the "Lock" doors button so that it doesn't yell at you at night that it's going to shut off.
2. You can't turn off the main driver's screen. You can only dim it. I choose to cover it up with clothes.
3. You can turn off the main center screen.
4. You can turn off that ambient mood lighting.
5. You can't turn off any interior lights. I use black duct tape liberally on the "P" button, and above center buttons.

You will notice the lower roof. Laying down, I can't prop up my leg at a 90 degree.

If you've considered the 23 prius, I would only consider the Prime as the benefits of having hvac on without the engine kicking on is really nice.
If you're considered the 23 prius for any other trim, skip it. You should definitely go with another car, or even better and older prius.

 

The first day I bought my prime, someone on here requested pictures of the seats folded flat with the head rests off I believe inquiring about camping also.

So I got out my trusty -20 sleeping bag and went to work. You can see all the different configurations I tried. The best one by far (if only one person back there) I found was to leave the left rear passenger seat in the up position and then it’s very easy to kind of roll into the hatch and into the sleeping bag from there. Plus if you’re not quite ready to go to sleep, you can sit there comfortably in the back and read a book or do whatever. This way you’re not climbing in from the hatch or over the extra seat hump. I’m 5’8 and felt comfortable back there and did not feel cramped at all. I would think if you’re much over 6” you just might have to angle yourself a little bit or simply not fully stretch out. A camping pad would probably help a little bit. Also, you can also probably see the pillows I stacked up on the front seat.

I do plan on getting dark tint all the way around eventually and also a windshield sun blocker thing so that would take care of natural light.


This (below) seemed to be the best configuration and the easiest way to get into the hatch area..

 

You mean you want to keep the car in the READY mode all night with the HVAC on? A fully charged Gen 5 PHEV battery would probably last for all night without ICE running. Make sure to turn the lights off, or if the car is off, make sure to take turn the lights off again, and do not keep it in the ACC mode; otherwise, you will drain the 12-V battery.

Moreover, Gen 5 Prius Prime provides 120 V AC—with or without charge on the PHEV battery—which is great for camping trips.

 

It is the same in Gen 4 Prius Prime—the PHEV battery won't charge when the car is in the READY mode, and it won't charge the 12-V battery unless the car is in the READY mode.