Can Prius be our family car?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(livegreen @ Jun 6 2007, 08:30 AM) [snapback]456469[/snapback]</div>

Hi Jennifer,

I'd say it's definitely possible to get them all in there, at least for a short trip. You could also put one dog in the seat between the kids, if it's well-behaved. There's enough room for three decent sized people across the back.

You could take the dogs to the dealership for a test drive, or drive home during the test and have them jump in...but I think you've got plenty of room for what you're asking.

Good luck!

 

We have 3 kids (1 in a car seat) and 1medium-sized dog. We are pretty sure the dog can ride in the hatchback - there's plenty of room for him. We just haven't taken him on a trip yet because the car is only a couple of weeks old and the dog sheds like a fiend! Maybe someday once the car isn't so new, I won't mind a few dog hairs.

 

If you only realistically take the kids and three dogs a couple of times a year get a rental vehicle. I don't know the exact size of your canines but one would likely be fine, three is another story...

As far as having the power and ride quality when loaded the Prius is fine for a family, great on gas, reliable, and reasonable to insure.

 

Just did a family trip over memorial day weekend with my wife, 2 kids (one in a carseat one in a booster seat), and our 85lb lab with all our stuff for the weekend. The lab did fine in the cargo area with the floor in (I stored some of our gear in the lower compartment). There was a pack-n-play and suit case secured with bungee cords next to her and she still had enough room to sit up or lay down.

Dog hair was the only problem. I minimized it by using a plastic floor mat (made my own custom fit out of a large office chair mat), but there was still lots of hair on the fabric on the sides of the cargo area. I still haven't been able to get all of it out. Very little dog hair migrated to the passenger area though, which was nice.

I put the rear headrests up just to provide a little protection against her flying into the passenger area if there was accident. Not sure how much good it would do, but better than nothing I suppose. Luckily we didn't get to test that. She liked to lay her head between the headreests and look at the kids on the way there. She slept soundly on the return trip (2+ hours) after swimming all weekend.

I don't know about 3 dogs that big, but 1 or 2 on short trips should be fine. Just have to be careful their heads are down when closing the hatch.

 

Hang on!

I agree that you can have one lab behind the rear seat in the prius. It will be comfy space.

I'm a little skeptical that that the prius can fit two adults, two kids (in child seats) and three labs at once. Sure volume wise there will be enough room but the dogs will not be able to move (much) I think.

I'm having a similar dilema. Our family is currently two adults and two shepherds. The shepherds love the prius with the seats down. We're planning to have a kid. For our first kid I'm sure I can have a child seat in the rear and still fold the other seat. This should give enough room for one kid and two shepherds. I think the same setting would work for one kid and three labs.

But once you need to have both seats up I don't think there is enough room in the prius for three dogs! If I where you I would look at the highlander, or consider how often you really need three dogs and two kids in the car (any other combination will work).

 

Ok,

A 10 mile ride loaded with all 5 kids shouldn't be a problem and the alternative is to make a separate kennel run...

To me it seems like the Prius is a right sized car for you.

Robert
p.s for spell check use firefox 2.0 www.getfirefox.com ... it has spell check built in!

 

Yes, it does sound like it would work for you. We have a Prius and a Tacoma. When we first started talking about trading in the Sienna for the Prius, we were concerned about fitting everybody in plus luggage. We realized that since we already had a truck, that could be used when we make one of those big trips. We do that maybe twice a year - if that. But for 95% of our driving, it's just one adult and kid(s) or both adults and kids. No problem at all fitting the whole family in the Prius.

Once we realized how seldom we really needed the capability to haul so much stuff, it become a pretty easy decision. We haven't regretted it (yet!). We take our first big family trip next week, suitcases, dog, kids, and a doggie door. We're taking the truck.

 

Dr Fusco - That picture can't be real. I don't see goldfish, sippy cups and other assorted stuff in the picture of the 3 seats...

I have two in infant seats and one in a booster... I would not show a picture of that disaster area...

 

If I were you, I'd buy the Highlander Hybrid.

The Prius is great, but even for two kids and 1 dog, I wouldn't.

 

I strongly recommend pre-ordering your exactfit or weathertech floor and cargo mats (you will NEVER regret that purchase), and the seat covers. Also, either order the rear bumper applique or the rubber bumper protector (doggie nails on the back bumper will scratch the paint)...
And then, enjoy your new car!

 

it all boils down to what you use the car for the MAJORITY of the time!

we just gave up our SUV.... we had it to transport our bikes to rides (we live in BFE so do a lot of driving to areas with sponsored organized rides, or just good ride areas on our own... but i digress)

the more gas went up.... and the more we realized that MOST of the time we drive without the bikes.... we decided a more economical vehicle was the way to go......

sounds like you are in the same boat (although with kids and dogs rather than bikes)......

if it comes down to it that you can't fit all three dogs to get them to the kennel.... you can take 3 trips one dog at a time while the other parent stays home with the kids (or 2 trips, 2 dogs one time, then the remaining dog? OR.... 1 trip with one or two dogs and then on the way out fully packed take the remaining dog(s)) so it will be doable.. since MOST of your use of the car will be just the two-legged, non-furry part of the family!

you do have to promise us something, though..... when you get your prius... if you get all three dogs in the rear area... you HAVE to post pics for us (even if it's two with one up front!) i love dogs and love looking at dog pics... and dogs in priuses.... well that's all the better!

(we still haven't taken brie for a ride in the prius... poor baby is feeling neglected... but i'm dreading the hair factor! lol! she's a samoyed... and currently blowing coat.... so that should explain everything!)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(livegreen @ Jun 6 2007, 12:11 PM) [snapback]456580[/snapback]</div>

Always glad to provide a laugh, but that wasn't really a joke. After getting our 85 lb Yellow Lab into the back (with the floor in) it became quite apparent to me that it would be very easy to slam the rear glass down onto her head. Had to make sure she was all the way near the passenger compartment or laying down and then proceed carefully yet with enough force to get it to latch. Not something that was intuitively obvious to me until I got her in there. Maggie looks great in the Magnetic Gray btw. Wish I had gotten some pictures. Next time ...