Arm rest is dead space

No, no, I get what Larry is saying. It looks like the lid is thick enough to allow for a two stage opening. One shallow place for wallets etc.... or the option to lift the whole armrest for bulkier items. tsk tsk come on Toyota. We are not feeling the love....lol

 

I spent a long time trying to figure out how to access all that dead space. It really seems like there should be a second way to open the lid to access the other couple of inches of space.

 

I did as well. It's a feature I miss!!

 

i also spent some time to see if there was a 2 stage opener like our old camry had. it's so thick, i thought for sure...

 

Sounds like an opportunity, "replacement center console top, with storage space for 2012 Prius"

Danny, get this made and sell it in the PriusShop

 

My2005 Prius has a nice compartmenr and a little drawer that pulled open toward the dash. We never found this beauty till I cleaned the car myself after the wife gave it to me when she bought the PIP. What is it with the wasted space where the seat warmer switches are. That's where we used to put a little trashcan.

 

I too have looked at that thick armrest and noticed it's alot of wasted space, almost as if it were meant to open in two stages.
I got the folding tray that sits in there, but it's kind of silly because if you put anything with the least bit of thickness in the tray, the armrest lid wont close.
If you look closely there is a molded line in the bottom of the lid that is the same outline as the tray. I've considered cutting the bottom of the armrest lid, along that line, to give more "headroom" to the tray.

There had to be a plan, that cost cutting put on hold, with that armrest.
I think it was to lift the tray with the armrest, for full access, and with another button, expose the tray, when the armrest is opened.
The tray would be 'clamped' to the bottom of the lid, so change could not escape.

 

I looked at it yesterday and it sure does seem like it is an unfinished design. What a waste of space!