Well, at least I won't be tempted to upgrade to a 2010 / 3rd Generation Prius anymore

If I translate Cycledrum correctly here......

He is disappointed. He was hoping that this new generation of Prius woul

1) Be an improvement in performance and features (and I think he feels that it accomplishes this)

2) Would better accomodate "his frame" without having to make customizations, like adding rails to allow his seat in his 2009 to slide back further. In the 2010, the seat does go back further AND the steering wheel telescopes. He got his hopes up. But he found out that the steering wheel doesn't telescope enough AND he can't find a comfortable position for his arms AND his legs.

He found a great car, bought it, and found he had to make some modifications to allow him to use it.

This great car then got updated and it seemingly addressed the biggest issues he was suffering through (leg room, telescoping steering wheel (and maybe, seat comfort?))

You can imagine his disappointment when he finds that the steering wheel/seat combo can't be made into a comfortable configuration. He's been LOOKING FORWARD to these changes. He WANTED to see these improvements. He got his hopes up that he could have his ideal car AND be comfortable in it. Problem is, his leg and arm length did not fit into the parameters set by the Toyota engineers. He doesn't understand why they couldn't let the steering wheel telescope out another 1 to 1.5 inches.

He rented a 2010 a half a dozen times, trying to see if the car was improved enough that he could live with the comfort/inconvenience issues. He really wanted this car, and he has come to the realization that he can't make it work. He's disappointed that he will likely have to wait another 4+ years before he has a hope of fitting in the next generation of Prius.

I can understand and sympathize with his predicament.

Sorry Cycledrum, I know you had your hopes up, sorry it didn't work out for you this time around.

 

I'm also 6'2" with long legs and this was a concern for me when I was buying the car.

I had ruled out the Gen 2 due to seating position but fortunately I found that in the Gen 3 the leg room issue was fine and the wheel position did not bother me as much as I had feared.

I did set the back of the seat a little more vertically than I did in my Accord made the issue OK for me with either of the last two seat positions and a variety of seat height settings.

I note that my son uses a more upright setting than I do in both cars even though he has a similar leg / body ratio and is a little taller. (He always asks why I lay it back so much)

I suspect that in past cars I had got into the habit of a less upright sitting position as that was what worked best for me in those cars.

I would prefer the Gen 3 to have a larger range on the steering wheel adjustment but for me it turned out not to be a decisive issue.

As it really bothers you, I agree that you shouldn't buy the car but I can understand your frustration in finding a acceptable alternative. Thats how I felt about the Gen 2.

For other tall people, I can only advise to try it yourself on at least one trip of 2hrs + and that a slightly more upright driving position than they use in some other cars may work better in the 2010 Prius

 

The average height for male in the US is 5'9.5", at 6'2" it is in the 1% percentile.
I doubt Toyota will made changes to accommodate the less than 1% of the populate that is considering buying a Prius.
If driving position is the highest priority for you, go look for a bigger car.

BTW, it was a standing joke that you have to be a gorilla with long arms to drive an Italian car.

 

6' 2" with 30" inseams. Prius steering wheel position is OK for me, but just barely. With my leg length, I don't have to push the seat all the way back.

OTOH, with my torso length, there aren't very many cars that I clear the headliner or see through the windshield without turning my head sideways (and that includes plenty of SUV's). The gen III Prius works if I adjust the seat all the way down. The passenger seat is uncomfortable since it doesn't adjust in height.

 

This is BS. PLENTY of cars in the same price and size point as the Prius have sufficient adjustability to suit people of varying heights and builds, including many Toyota products. Saying that the reason someone can't get comfortable in a certain car is because they are an "aberration" is preposterous. Its not like he's 8' tall. The fact that the Prius can not be adjusted to the comfort of someone of reasonable height (and 6'2" is reasonable height (I know MANY people who are of that height) is a failure of Toyota engineering.

The Prius is not an italian sportscar, its not built for a niche market. Toyota wants the car to appeal to everyone. Anyone short of 6'5" should be able to be made comfortable or the engineers who designed the car have failed.

The adjustability of the 2010 solves the issue for me, but I am only 6' with a 31" inseam. My legs are pretty short for someone of my height. My Gen II is incredible uncomfortable for me...even with my pretty short legs. Failure of engineering.

 

I'm 6' 5" and very comfortable in my Gen 3 Prius. Fortunate I suppose!

 

In smaller cars, I usually rake the seat back a little and have a little more bend in the knee, but not in the 3G. I'm little over 6' 2", wear 34" length pants, and don't have the seat all the way back in the 3G and the steering wheel and controls fall easily to both feet and hands.

Never driven a Gen 2 or 1 so have nothing to compare.

 

At the risk of getting hammered, I'm not all that fond of the seating in my gen III. I love the car but I find the driver's position annoying. I'm only 5'7" but I would still like the steering wheel to extend farther. In addition, what I truly don't like is the headrest which tries to tilt my head down and doesn't give me any support for my neck. Someone will probably tell me it is safer this way, but I don't like it. Alright, let the flames fly!

 

Well, I am 6'7", and for the most part I have no comfort issues in the car. I have the seat back and lowered all the way. I agree that the steering wheel should come out another inch or so, but what really annoyed me was the armrest on the doors... they are way too low. If I want to rest my elbow when I am steering I end up leaning to the right awkwardly.

All that being said, I've had the car for just over a month and have pretty much gotten used to it. Adjusting to a world made for shorter people is just a part of my life

However, if Toyota ever looks at this, in addition to a little more telescoping, let's raise that armrest too (or better yet, make it adjustable!).

 

Hey I second your steering wheel opinion!

The steering wheel sucks big time. Why oh why oh why did Toyota not just add an inch of telescope and down adjust?

(All other cars steering wheels fit me just fine but not the 2010 Prius!)

 

well sometimes priorities change, and while now the wheel-position is the only issue maybe the next car's is the milage...

 

I just don't understand people who whine that Toyota screwed up, because the seating is not comfortable for *them*. No seat is going to be comfortable for everybody. If a Camry seat is *just perfect* for a 2 meter, 150 Kg fellow with most of his height in the torso, I'll bet I would hate that seat.

Seats are engineered for most people, most of the time. Kapisch ?

Reporting that a specific geometry is uncomfortable is a good idea for others to know; but please, leave the attitude behind (sic).

 

aaah, that's O-K, one certainly should never expect to please everyone all the time. Meanwhile most people who own the 2010, like me, love it. So, just curious, what's your preferred 'Ride' then ? ? ?

 

Mother-in-law just got a 2010 prius with nav package.

I've got an '06 with nav.

My first reaction, sitting in the front passenger seat, was that the 2010 displays (especially the nav system) look very fuzzy compared with the '06. A big step backwards in my mind.

 

Maybe true for some features, but not really valid for this conversation is it? If Toyota added an extra inch or 2 of telescoping, it would certainly help many of us. But then to your point, who would it hurt? If you like the wheel farther from you or closer to the dash, just don't extend it all the way. Adding range doesn't exclude anyone.

 

Wow, what a load of whining about your poor leggies! A friend of mine is 6ft2, and he drives a Ford Ka. The steering wheel doesn't move at all. Sure, his legs are tight under the column, but he's a tall guy. That's just the way it is.

 

cycledrum,
Apart from your seat woes and with reference to you not driving with hands 10 to 2 all the time,i still think you won't be comfortable with the positioning of driver door armrest unless you have long arms to go with your long legs,i had a loan of a 2010 Prius a while back albeit for 5 hours or so and i did post at the time that i too wouldn't rush out to part with my hard earned,i think my 06 Taxi with just 300,000km is just perfect.
On a different note,there were members here who were some of the first to get their Prii around this time last year...and didn't we hear about it,LOL...where are they now,mileage covered,problems?...apart from the ones the whole world knows about!!