I reaaaaaaally dislike that center console, it completely cuts off passenger from driver, and most likely will have a feeling (real or perceived) of a much smaller interior space.

It does look smaller.

I don't like that raised console in the Corolla so not good to see it in a Prius. The "gear selector" only needs to be moved once or twice for most journeys, it doesn't need to be in such a prominent location. It is only a switch, why not make it smaller like a joy stick on an Xbox and leave out the partition?

Because the general public hates NOT having things that are familiar to them. It's taking a step in reverse. They're giving people that feeling of 20th-century familiarity in a VERY 21-century car. I hear people complaining about the "joystick" all the time when they drive mine. Maybe this'll shut'em up.

i dont like the console.
now i can move easily from driver to passenger seat.
it looks a bit more sporty.

Looks like Toyota is trying to make the car more appealing to the masses instead of designing primarily to maximize or optimize functionality.

considering how much the exterior is disguised, lets hope the interior is too.
I Don't like that interior console at all.

WOW ..... you can tell this article wasn't written in the USA. Our "leaders" do everything in their power to keep the people addicted to foreign oil, and could care less about emissions. It's always interesting to see the world from a sane prospective instead of from bizzaro world.

When will we have a government that will give the "thumbs up" to low emissions and fuel economy? Hint: It starts by voting out ALL the incumbents.

... Brad

Agreed.

And with that ugly new console, it's going to be near impossible for our rural mail carrier friends -- like timm, daisyday and jdchappie -- to use the new Prius for work. They won't be able to move the center console back to enable them to reach the pedals and drive from the passenger seat.

http://priuschat.com/forums/audio-electronics/44268-rural-mail-carrier-seeks-advice-pruis.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/48039-workhorse-hybrids.html

Hi All,

Yep me too. Hate the center console. My knees get sore from bumping into those things. And besides one has to look down to see the screen. NOT GOOD!!!

Will there be any option to take that thing out !!!

dont like it. i agree the shifter should be in an out of the way place. prevents accidental shifting... something that might happen with its proposed centralized location.

It's a step backwards, IMO. What set the Prius apart before as functional, practical and innovative seems to have been sacrificed for what other mainstream car manufacturers sell us as 'stylish'. I don't care for it at all and I certainly wouldn't give up my current model to 'upgrade'.

Then again, maybe this is a calculated move by Toyota. Toyota has won over the treehuggers and green folk already. Those folks will be happy for a few more years with their current cars. Now they're setting their sights on a different slice of the pie... those who like 'conventional' styling.

Someone else mentioned it on another thread weeks ago on some other related topic that's too difficult to find again , but maybe Toyota should split the Prius from the lineup and make it its own brand, like Scion. Then they can have the geeky, innovative, practical car that I love, and this other 'stylish' car that others might like better, and maybe even a few other types.

Post moved to http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-hybrid-news/52599-latest-spy-shows-2010-prius-interior.html

ManualOnly
Why do you continually use that derogatory term for Japanese? Do you have a problem?

Oops!

Wasn't aware of that until having wiki around on what that word meant. I had re-edited those posts.

I am going against the majority by saying I love it. Looks very sporty and kinda reminds me of the Celica interior a car I dearly loved.:clap2:

I tried the Camry Hybrid before settling on the Prius.
The Camry gave me a claustrophobic feeling when I first sat down, and I think the same feeling would be generated by the pictured interior.