2010 Center console design: no-lie-made me decide not to buy a new one

its such a step backwards, in terms of wastefully taking up valuable front seat roominess-feel, when i sat in it, i said i cant stand this passenger compartment compared to the previous models.

I know there are many reasons to get the 2010, but with the new cars coming, used ones being quite good still, plug-ins coming,
....and the generally cramped feeling that huge "bridge" gives between the front seats


I have to say it totally turned me away from buying a new one.
If they offered an old style, "open cockpit" option, I might reconsider, but there is so much development happening, maybe its a blessing to hold off.

I was super fired up with all the new improvements, but if i cant "slide over" or pass things across to my passnger seat, or reach over to something in my briefcase on the passenger seat-

dealbreaker, toyota.

Seriously, that's a deal breaker? Amazing...

Must have really short arms.

i know it seems crazy- but i gotta be able to easily access my passenger seat-
uh, like ALL the prius's of the damn past!

JUST when i get ready to buy, they build a frigging monstrosity thru the middle of the front seats? i literally sat there and literally said god DAMMIT, its great, but I absolutely need a roomy, traditional front seat setup.

...and truth be told, there are a lot of other compelling things bubbling under - so maybe its a blessing..

OMG.. that is funny. Though I like the open air feeling of my cockpit, the new design is quite interesting. BTW... I have long arms.

Likewise, the boring exterior design of previous generations Prius kept some of us from buying one.

I, on the other hand, did NOT consider the Prius until the redesign. The interior pics made me curious enuf to test drive a Gen III. I liked the fit and feel. Now I have one on order! Some say, "Toomayto!" Some say, "Toomahto!" Ya, know what I mean?

To each their own...

I heard all the angst about it before demos were available at dealers. And I was concerned.

But during test drives I found it perfectly OK. My right leg/knee does not hit it, and personally I like it. Very distinctive, modern, and allows easy almost-45 degree access to switchgear et al. As for reaching over -- ??? I'm 6' and 190lb guy. Not feeling confined at all. And have no problem at all reaching over to the pass seat - the armrest is the only thing in between and it's quite low. You probably mean reaching to the passenger floor over the console, and I can see that; again I have no problem.

I thought the G1 & 2 ext and int styles were "dowdy". Now that Toyota did a complete makeover with the '10 - I own one. Again, it may not be your cup of tea and that's fine.

Sorry you're disappointed. But as you mentioned there may be other matters bubbling for you - apparently so.

See, now, i never thought the original body style was "boring".
I think from the git go it was categorically different, aero, futuristic, streamlined - the body style became the icon of hybrid for god sakes.

They made improvements to it, but its still about 75% of its original lines.

The center console is ZERO percent of its original lines.

agreed the worst part is forward of the armrest - how you can store or keep anything "under" that bridge is pretty lame.

Keep the great makover,
...but keep the buttons in traditional places, and keep the cockpit "open"

I love the center console! Feel like I'm in a shapeship.

woah-Dean I didnt know dealers had angst about it - and youre right, forget reaching for anything on the passenger floor anymore.

I found more on this: -- I guess Im not the only one:



parnami
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Re: Gen3 Prius Center Console Nearly Intrusive to Front Passenger Knee Room

I have a major complaint about that console in general: I find it too confining! I also think it looks cheap and "added on". I'm in research mode for a Prius and so far, this is a potential deal breaker, one I hope Toyota corrects asap.

Am I the sole weirdo here who's bothered by it? I'm seeking a car to complement my smart for when I need more room..and that console leaves me feeling I'm in a smaller car rather than a larger one. The other Toyota's don't appear to have this problem.

07-11-2009, 09:48 PM #7
blippo
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Re: Gen3 Prius Center Console Nearly Intrusive to Front Passenger Knee Room

Quote:
Originally Posted by parnami
I have a major complaint about that console in general: I find it too confining! I also think it looks cheap and "added on". I'm in research mode for a Prius and so far, this is a potential deal breaker, one I hope Toyota corrects asap.

Am I the sole weirdo here who's bothered by it? I'm seeking a car to complement my smart for when I need more room..and that console leaves me feeling I'm in a smaller car rather than a larger one. The other Toyota's don't appear to have this problem.
Yes, I did. I drove one today. I felt like I was sitting in a cardboard box, cramped in. I didn't like it at all.

No, I meant angst among US here on Chat and elsewhere - not dealers. OMG, all they want to do is push the product.

And you have a lot of company out there - past, present, and future no doubt. Can't please everybody with everything. Do I wish Toyota did some things different in the design - you betcha' (sorry...) But IMO 95% is REALLY good, and I plunked down $28K - happily so.

I love the new design of the Prius... inside and out.
Sure, the new official MPG rating is one of the things that finally turned me on to getting a Prius, but the redesigning also played a big part in my decision.

It doesn't make me feel cramped and I don't keep stuff that I need access to on the passenger-side floor. If I REALLY must have something within arm's reach, it can sit on the passenger seat or in that neat cubby storage spot under the shifter.

Maybe if I was a really tiny person, then it would bother me... but then I could always just jump through that cubby hole to access the passenger's area.

I really don't like it either and would have preferred the old console design, but the other improvements for the 2010 model were enough for me to get it despite the new console.

TX Dean -I just sent em feedback about my angst!
Its an amazing car, and overall engineering that, frankly, may not be caught up with for a while.
Theres a great Prius guys here in CT that builds and restores them from the ground up - hes a genius.

maybe i'll get a new one, and have him relocate the flying bridge controls to the dash.

and as much as lost in space was my favorite show, i dont care about being in a spaceship-talk about a cramped cockpit! jeez.

MAybe theyll open it up for the plug-ins...

I like not being able to reach the passenger floor, and I've had a couple bad experiences doing so while driving.

The Gen II interior is not a "driver's car" it gives you more of an appliance feel to it. The Gen III interior with the cockpit feel is meant to be more inviting for drivers rather than point A to point B type.

I too prefer the open cockpit of the previous model, but I know most of my friends swear that they much prefer the closed fit-like-a-glove feeling of a cockpit that seperates the driver from the passenger side, like most lexus or bmws. They prefer to use the center space for more buttons and options, and its a perfectly fine preference. I just generally prefer function over form.

I never drove a <2010 Prius, so I can't compare it. But to me, the design and style of the 2010 is both interesting and "normal." Go test drive an Insight with its ugly dashboard and controls and its cheap materials and you might discover, as I did, that the Prius is in its own class. As a "design" person, I find the curves and unique layout to have a calming, "Zen" quality. (I also put stuff on the passenger seat without difficulty, and I find the lower center storage area perfect for stashing items with the "clutter" being hidden, adding to the clean look.)