Back Seat Arm Rest?

Mine does the same thing. I thought that was rather chintzy on Toyota's part.

 

I thought mine was broken too. I went to the dealer and sat in a couple of Prii in the showroom and they all were like like mine. That is the way it is was designed, I guess.

 

That is the way it works. It angles down and rests on the seat.

Tom

 

Yup, just Toyota cheaping out.

 

yup same as 06 toyota 4runner. i really like the honda odyssey's front passenger armrest. it can adjusted whatever you want.

 

Toyota's excuse for everything wrong with the Prius is that it saves weight.
Buyer - "Why doesn't the Prius have a sunroof?"
Sales - "Toyota was trying to save weight"
Buyer - "Why doesn't the Prius have electric adjustable seats?"
Sales - "Toyota was trying to save weight"
Buyer - "What's with the rear arm rest"
Sales - "Toyota was trying to save weight"

 

I noticed this when I bought the car, but I can't say it's ever bothered me. Is it a problem that the arm rest isn't flush with the seat?

 

No, its not a problem. IMO, it just doesn't look aesthetically pleasing (looks kind of thin and weak) and its not as comfortable for resting your arm.

My RX400h has a thicker armrest that folds down flush with the seat. Looks nicer (and the extra cost has got to be pretty minimal).

 

The secret is to pack more gear into your Prius. When we have back seat passengers, we usually have a car full of climbing gear. Then there is no room to use the armrest.

Tom

 

I don't think anyone is cheaping out. That's the way it is. In fact, I think it might be more comfortable as an armrest this way, although it does make it more problematic as a table for lunch (sliders anyone?).

 

I am so glad these posts are around. I thought mine was broken. :clap2:

 

Yeah, so glad there is a blog for this stuff. I just got my 2008 Prius and thought my back arm rest was broken too. Seriously was going to call the dealer out on this. Thanks guys! It's not that nice looking but it's not a big deal to me since the rest of the prius seemed very well designed and has lots of comfort.

 

But shouldn't an armrest be a comfortable place for resting your arm? Or is this one of those parkway/driveway kinds of things?

On the Prius I rented I was convinced that it was cheaply made and had broken.

 

I thought the purpose of the back seat "armrest" was to keep things from sliding back and forth across the back seat. Silly me!

Bob

 

That's what my husband uses it for! :cheer2:

 

Mine is fine, maybe all of your arms are just crooked.........kidding, mine is angled as well. My 8 year sits to high to use it.....

 

Arm rest-I have two?
WOW!!!

 

The rear armrest is total crap and Toyota need to recall all 2004> Prius and fix them. It is a real let down when you are showing friends the car.