2016 Prius Product Info

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Legroom (Front/Rear) 43.2/33.4 in is very disappointing. 2.6in less than a 3rd gen and 1.6in less than a Prius C. Most compact/midsized cars have been increasing rear legroom. The 2016 Civic sedan has 42.3/37.4 in.

Also slightly disappointing is lower ground clearance at 5.1 in.

 

Ground clearance only decreased by 0.2 inch. So, that's pretty much the same.

Cargo area increase quite a bit. That lower floor, due to the battery-pack having moved to under the rear seat, is a nice improvement.

 

Wow! the rear seating is now worse than a 2016 Volt. Volt Legroom is 42.1/34.7 in.

 

So it might be harder to fit rear facing child seat. Currently we have 3 child seats in our Gen2 with middle infant seat rear facing...grandkid service

I am focus on Cargo Space - we have gone from 16-ft3 in Gen2 to 27-ft3 in eco model Gen4. Note that there is not really 11-ft3 more space, rather in 2009 the USA switched to a new Cargo Space spec called EPA Cargo Space.

The Gen4 Eco (Lithium batt) is showing 27-ft3 Cargo Space vs. 21.6-ft3 in Gen3...WOW!!! the Lithium batt is adding a ton of Cargo Volume +3-ft3. But I caution this is the EPA (flakey) CARGO Space definition, which I theorize was developed to help hybrids and plug-ins claim greater storage capacity than they really have.

If we have Canada and/or EU Cargo space specs Gen3 to Gen4, then we would have traditional definition of Cargo space based on how much Volume luggage can get packed in theory.

 

I think you are confused. The "eco" is model 2 only, and model 2 has NiMH battery. Regardless which battery, the battery is under the rear seat and has no effect on cargo volume as both types fit in the same space, and moving them there is what increased the cargo space. Seems to me the only difference between the batteries is the weight, though they have different capacities and probably have different inefficiencies in charge and discharge (lithium is supposed to be better).

 

Being that I don't get along well in most Toyotas, Corolla, Camry, Rav4, I would be surprised if I like being in this new Prius. I just don't fit Toyotas well for some reason, but will give it a try.
I'm sure many will love it though.

 

Well in general yes I might be confused....but I am looking at the new Cargo Space specs in Danny's Gen4 PDF. Take a look...for the eco a whopping 27 ft3 vs. 21.6 in Gen3...

 

Model 2 ECO - Li-Ion battery, no spare, 27.3 ft3.
All models accept for Model 2 (non ECO) - Li-Ion.
Models with spare - 24.6 ft3, models without spare - 27.3 ft3.

 

OK got it thanks

 

Yes, rear leg room is down quite a bit. Since the roof slopes down more, they must have moved the rear seats up a bit.

I tell people that I bought my gen 3 mostly for space efficiency with fuel efficiency as a bonus. I like driving (and parking) a compact vehicle but wanted a roomy back seat for occasional rear passengers. Upscale sleeker cars are generally poor in this regard. Other practical cars were not as well equipped as the Prius. So this is a disappointment for me.

On the other hand, the quieter and stiffer body (which should be less prone to rattles) does attract me.

 

I'd expect most people wouldn't. There's many inches extra currently in back between my knees and the front seat. Nonetheless, it is a take-away.

 

Yeah I hear you I just don't see any major improvements for Generation 4 for Generation 3 owners like me to step out and buy it.First off Toyota lied and said a E-Four drive system would be available it's only available in Japan only.One of the biggest complains I have with my 2014 is it's horrible in winter driving and that's with snow tires. I'm already getting what this new Prius is getting as far as gas mileage

 

Last night our local news reported that Consumer Reports questioned how good AWD is vs FWD. Consumer Reports tested and found winter tires make more of an improvement in handling and braking than AWD over FWD**

** Sounds like your experience it totally different than CR

 

Please post a quote or link where Toyota said E-Four would be available in the U.S.

I've followed this issue pretty closely. As far as I know they never said that.

 

The Gen 3 just works if I'm in the car with both my sons.
If the Gen 4 has 1.9" less overall legroom, it sounds like a problem if 3 people with long legs are in the car.

 

That damn battery under the seat is probably the cause of less leg room. But the the front seat can move up. The overall loss is only 0.7 inch isn't it?

 

That is generally how it works out; FWD with snow tires is the same or better than AWD with all seasons. Then it comes down quirks in the car. Disabling traction control in the Prius isn't simple, and on past models it was touchy enough to make going forward in some conditions difficult at best.

 

Based on the numbers quoted above:
Gen 3: 42.5 / 36 = 78.5" total
Gen 4: 43.2 / 33.4 = 76.6" total
Lost in total legroom = 1.9"

I don't know if the measurement method changed or whether it will play out differently when you sit in the car.
If it is an effective loss of 1.9" I agree that for many people it won't matter but I believe that for a sizeable minority it will be a complete deal breaker regardless of how much better the car is in other respects.