2019 model will have a normal backseat

If it has 5 seats it well qualify for Uber. Maybe more sales.

 

I am imagining a few future threads asking how to replace the middle rear Prime seating with a storage box in the middle. Either way, good news for future prospective sales. Looks like they aren't about to kill the Prime just yet like Chevy did with their Volt.

 

Interesting news. I spoke with my local dealerships and 2 of them confirmed that there is no change for 2019 in Canada. The only change would be an additional silver colour. That's why I settled on a 2018 for earlier delivery vs waiting for a 2019.

 

I'd be more interested in a mod that rearranged the battery layout to recover some of the lost cargo space.

 

More than a 5th seat, more than slightly more range, more than a spare tire, I'd be interested in 4WD for the Prime. It's a feature that's actually useful.

 

i thought that was coming

 

i imagine 2017 and 2018 owners will want to know if they can swap their rear seats for a 2019

 

For Prius...haven't heard about it for Prime.

 

If the 2019 has 3 seats in the back: has anything changed with the car, or did some regulation change, or? IIRC, 2 seats in the back was to keep the car within some load limit?

 

The Prius had AWD since its intro, just not here. The Prime already has extra weight in the rear over the Prius, and Toyota only matches the Prius E-four with a NiMH battery.

The charger is under the rear seat. Upon, the public's reaction to it, a Toyota critter said they could move it.
But weight limits was a stated reason for just four seats, so some reinforcing might be needed in back. IMHO, Toyota ignored the international market when designing the car, and now have to apply band aids to it. The C-max Energi made less compromises in design, and it started as a straight ICE model.

 

Yes, it would be great if they reshaped and enlarged the battery to return the back deck to normal height, increased the battery size. At least they can reshape the sheet metal under it loosing the spare tire shape for a more optimized layout.

 

Is this a credible source? Sounds like “a friend told me....”

Don’t get me wrong, I do *hope* it’s true, as this would be a huge plus in my book. Then, if they add CarPlay, it would be the ideal car for me. Cargo space is a bit more compromised than I’d like, but at least there are alternatives for that (I.e. roof or hitch storage). Lack of spare has never bothered me (like my PiP).

 

...I think we are saying USA 2019 Prime gets 5 seats, right?

 

yes, and the source is toyota, as credible as it can get

 

With 5 seats, the US likely isn't going to get the solar roof option.

 

Right, and I hope it is accurate at face value, but skeptic in me sees this information was shared by a poster with only 8 posts who drives an “other non-hybrid” based on the profile and has been absent since the original post. He/she mentioned it is a “senior communications officer from Toyota Europe” but no name provided (which may be understandable if this was shared in confidence as this would be clearly “off the record” type of info), assuming it is legit. So, it should be taken with a grain of salt, as there are a few flags here that it could be trolling attempt.......

That said, I sure HOPE it is true!

 

i think tideland posted it in another thread

 

If Tidelands said it, it must be true! Even allegedly.