How Should Toyota Improve Driving Position Adjustability in Next Gen Prius?

Letter mailed 7/7/13
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Date: July 7th, 2013
From: B. C. M.
xxxxxxxxxxx
CA 94xxx

To: Toyota Motor Corp / Sales
19001 Southwestern Ave. Dept. WC11
TorranceCA90501

Re: 2011 Prius steering wheel and seat adjustments VIN#: JTDKN...

Since purchasing my Prius new in November 2011, I have read about adjusting for good distance and comfortable reach to the steering wheel as shown below. Laying wrist on top of wheel with a straight arm, sitting back in seat leaves 15 inches from airbag to my chest and a good reach for steering. But my legs become cramped near the dash and under the wheel. The steering wheel is telescoped fully towards me, tilted down and I am sitting well back into the seat. I am tall, 6’2” with 36” inseam legs and long arms.


The whole seat is adjusted six clicks (2 or 3 inches) forward from full back which is highly unusual for me to achieve this reach to the wheel. I don’t think my body proportions are very far off. I would like the steering to pull closer, tilt down more and have the column mounted higher to allow a more vertical wheel. I have found other brand’s smaller cars to adjust to a good driving position. Honda Civic is a favorite.



One thing I don’t like about both the Prius mechanical and power adjustable driver’s seats is this: The seat bottom tilt varies when height adjusted from small tilt (full up) to a lot of tilt (height full down). I set the seat almost all the way down and there is too much tilt in the bottom cushion for my liking. It causes undue pressure on my thighs and makes it harder to reach the foot pedals.

In the power seat, having the tilt vary through the height range seems redundant as the seat bottom tilt is also adjusted by tapping the front of the power button. Would Toyota engineering please consider setting a good, midrange tilt and leaving it constant through the height adjust range? I’ve seen this in other brands and prefer it.

You may ask, ‘why did you buy your Prius?’ Because I thought I could get used to reaching far to the wheel to steer the car, but after a year and a half, it has become too awkward to keep doing it. I’ve settled on sliding 3 clicks forward which seems the best compromise between reach and legroom, but even that is not fully to my liking.

I hope there is still time for Toyota engineering to consider and hopefully incorporate these things into the fourth generation Prius because I and so many others are anxious to see it and perhaps buy one.


Thank you for your consideration.

signed _____________________________

 

I wouldn't drop a Recaro in this car. Completely pointless for me given the steering wheel in it.

Plus, that's down a side impact airbag.