I don't think the Prius is a good long range daily driver

I absolutely do not like how low the left arm rest is on the left handed drive models (it might be the same annoyance on the right armrest on the right hand drive cars). I can't rest my arm on it.

 

The plastic on my drivers side window sill (RHD) is worn smooth!

I drive with left hand at 9 o'clock and the right elbow on the plastic door panel just below the glass, sometimes my head resting on my hand (almost like I'm on the phone). Well it did after a 12 hour (or so) shift.

 

Yes, let's hope they address the door side arm rest on the Gen IV, but the single biggest problem is the seats for long haul driving.

 

We drive ours (my wife mostly) 30k miles a year, so I'd say that while it's not ergonomically perfect, overall, it's a great car for a long range daily. My wife intends to drive the wheels off of it, and insists that she'd buy another if something happened to this one.

I've never had any armrest issues and find the seats to be adequate. I've driven it round trip VT to NC as well and didn't have any comfort issues.

Like most "comfort" things, It is entirely subjective.

 

I spend a minimum of 8 hours a day in a 2010 Prius, actually two of them. I own one, and the vehicle I drive for work is also a 2010 Prius. I am 5'10", 180#. These are quite comfortable if you are willing to try out different seating positions.

 

I think that's the key. The Prius seat can be comfortable BUT you really do have to get it spot on. It's not as forgiving as some. I always found that you need to adjust the seat after you've been driving the car for at least 15 minutes, esp so if it's first thing in the morning.

 

Oh agreed! It took me days to get the seat right, I commuted 4 1/2 hours daily and after a few days I debated taking a beating and getting rid of the car, my back (and right elbow) hurt that bad. Once I got the seat right, it was no longer an issue and I just recently drove from PA to AZ with no issues at all. Glad I hung in there but I try not to let my wife drive it or I'm back to a couple days worth of seat tweaking again. Be nice if they had power memory!


iPhone ?

 

Drive my Miata on a long trip and you'll think the Prius is a Cadillac

One thing I noticed is driving the Prius is like driving a sewing machine.

There is a huge disconnect between the road and the driver. I don't know if it's the engine or lack of a power curve or the steering. Not saying I hate it, but it takes some getting used to.

 

Buy a Ferrari then but don't complain about the fuel economy

Surely you knew what you were getting when you test drive the car? It's not an enthusiasts drive by any means. I always class the Prius as an appliance. It's not a fun to drive car in the traditional way, but I get the fun out of enjoying the lack of petrol it uses.

It appeals to the inner nerd more than the petrolhead.

 

Agreed... I Love the car. My friends think I've lost it. But the MPG is so impressive.

 

The floaty disconnected handling feel is fairly easily improved by some chassis bracing and a rear anti-sway bar. It makes the Prius a fun car in all driving. The power issues, well...

 

In the non-power seat, there's too much going on while simply adjusting the height.

The height adjust lever makes the seat do these 3 simultaneously and respectively -
1) go up or down
2) move forward or backward
3) decrease or increase the seat tilt

I really don't like how the tilt changes too much (about 12 deg to 20 deg) through the height range.

Don't know about all brands, but Accord and Civic manual adjust seats keep a fixed tilt through height range.

Long legs are going to come down onto the seat while scooting back, whey try to force thigh support by increasing tilt while height adjusting down? I don't like that.


When there's a lot of cushion tilt (20 degrees at low settings) then I have to recline the seatback to keep the needed angle between seat bottom and back. This makes for an awful long reach to the wheel.

I'd rather they left the seat cushion tilt at 16 degrees give or take 1 through the height range. Or just buy a more adjustable power seat. Won't buy another manual seat,ever.

 

6'6 and 230lbs. Seats are totally comfy for long haul or short trips.

Me thinks some folks need to lose some weight or something.

 

Personal huh...I weigh 40 lbs. less than you big boy.

 

delete...

 

But what if you're 5'3?

My point is, I'm a tall and lanky guy who shouldn't feel comfy, but I do in the Prius.

I'm surprised the complainers here didn't rent a Prius for a long trip test before buying.

 

What are you the Chief Engineer for Toyota's Department of Seat Design or something. I don't know where your are coming from sir, but I actually like my 2010 Prius after +70,000 miles. The seats "to me" are far from good for long range driving, but the car as a package is great. Perhaps the 2012 seats are better or the level of comfort you have become accustomed to in life is less than mine, but "Me thinks some people need to learn a little courtesy when addressing people they do not know out of the blue like that".

 

Missing the bigger picture. It takes more than just a driver's seat to make a good driving position.

Are some of you steering the car with mental telepathy? It's crazy how few here comment on the steering wheel even though Edmunds, Consumer Reports and others commented on that almost 5 years ago.

How about the location of the lumbar support? How about the adjustments or lack of adjustment capabilities of the driver's seat? Specifics are better than generalities.

 

Does the US gen3 drivers seat adjust up and down too? Ours does but I'm sure I heard yours doesn't.

 

Road noise and rattles were more of a problem for me. Also I bought a lower trim model. Solved the problem by selling my 2011 Prius 2 and buying a 2013 Avalon Hybrid, now no noise or rattle issues and the power seat and lumbar are spoiling me, however the cost is uncomfortable, but it is worth it to me.