You guys are going to think this is pretty lame but... I am going on 11 months of driving my Prius and today is the first time I have noticed the little grab handle on the right inside of the hatch. I actually used it to pull the hatch shut! Can't believe it was there all along and I never noticed it. Now if I could just figure out how to jerk my hand out of the opening fast enough...I might not get injured.
It's one of those "nice little touches" that the car has. I had an Integra for 11 years and a CRX for 11 years, and both would have little dirty finger prints on the part of the hatch that I pulled down. I like the cubbies, they are cool.
Yeah, they put one on each side for the 2010... I think the Gen II only had one and when many of us first saw a preview of the 2010 we were like FINALLY, they put one on each side! lol It's the little things...
"I like the cubbies, they are cool. " I also think the cubbies are cool. I like the way the shade stores below the floor by locking into the notches in the bed...it really is the little things. Seriously I think the 'A' team from Toyota Interiors group was busy during the early design phase and they only got free in time to help finish up the rear storage area....
It takes a little practice to use just enough force when pulling down to get the hatch closed. If it doesn't close all of the way I just press down between the Toyota emblem and the lower rear window.
Agree on the handles and I like the cover BUT Light grey carpet lining the trunk area and a white textured back to the cover flap! What were they thinking? Do they think that dirty marks and fingerprints enhance the owning experience?
I agree that the textured cover does get dirty. I have not yet tried to clean...I just think there is a lot of thoughtful design put into the rear storage area...this does not translate to the finishes chosen.
I pull down on the cubbies and when it is 8in or so before full closure, I let gravity close it shut. Never have to touch the spoiler.
Height challenged folks will need some kind of a strap next as the grab handle is a few inches too high OR a shorter gas strut?
Gotta chuckle - folks making such a huge deal about grab points to close the hatch; costs zero$ during engineering and manufacturing. But the design team overlooks many easy to design interior storage nooks/crannies as documented in MY11 recommendations. And other matters that Toyota cheaped up on with the '10 interior. Although I still like my V after 13 months, the interior is not representative of the cost for the vehicle.
Having grab handles on both sides is AWESOME and I reckon almost gives me enough justification to trade in my '07 for an '11 Prius...... almost....
Have you also noticed that the very end of the hatch is hollowed out behind the wheel wells makng it an exact fit for a set of golf clubs?
So glad I saw this post. I just got a new Prius Friday and no telling how long it would have taken me to find these handles. When I was getting ready to trade in my CR-V I came across the old brochure I had for it. Flipping through it, I saw one of the photos had grocery bags hanging from hooks in the back cargo area. OH! THAT's what those hooks are for! After owning the vehicle for 8 years, I got to use the hooks for the intended purpose one time before trading it in!
Yeah I know what you mean...a couple of days before my Murano lease ran out I discovered the little levers in the cargo area that cause the rear seats to fold down...so annoying to discover that neat feature at the end of the lease. And I point out that I was a Murano Club member for the whole three years...This is a better forum.
Also, on the driver's side, the hollow has a compartment underneath. Lift up the panel and you can put a dozen golf balls in there. Nevermind..... this compartment is connects with the main sub-deck storage area so golf balls will roll around.
I was told that this is where you put the "trunk" roller shade. May be it fits golf clubs too. It make sense to have the roller shade protected when transport big items.