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Does the solar roof cost any headroom?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by TheHorsts, May 27, 2009.

  1. TheHorsts

    TheHorsts Junior Member

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    I was wondering if the solar roof costs any reduction in head room. I'm quite tall and every inch is critical for me.

    I've looked through the specs that I can find, but I don't see two different headroom numbers published -- one with a sunroof, one without.

    Does the sunroof really have essentially zero impact?

    Thanks,

    Ed
     
    #1 TheHorsts, May 27, 2009
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Moonroof slides up and over the top vs. down and into the ceiling, so headroom shouldn't be compromised.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, May 27, 2009
  3. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    The US spec tells us no difference, but Japanese spec is shown as 30mm difference, 1225mm vs 1195mm.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #3 ken1784, May 27, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    3cm, about and inch and a half.
     
    #4 HTMLSpinnr, May 27, 2009
  5. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Probably because the solar panel & related parts is thicker than the standard sheet metal roof.
     
    #5 stream, May 27, 2009
  6. TheHorsts

    TheHorsts Junior Member

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    30 mm / 1.2 inches is somewhat significant. I'm surprised there isn't something mentioned in the specs somewhere.

    That will pretty much eliminate that as an option for me. At 6' 8", I need all the headroom I can get.

    (I'll "try one on" before making the final decision.)
     
    #6 TheHorsts, May 27, 2009
  7. dakshah

    dakshah Counting the dayz....

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    Sitting in a non-solar roof package yesterday, I had probably just 1-2 inch headroom on the passenger side. The driver's seat can be lowered, which seemed to give a couple more inches, so I would expect to be OK w/ the solar roof. I'm hoping to test-sit one soon just to be sure.

     
    #7 dakshah, May 30, 2009
  8. jsgreenfield

    jsgreenfield New Member

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    Well, I'm just 5'9", and the new Prius, even without the sunroof, is claustrophobic in the driver's seat, and my hair brushes the ceiling when sitting back in the rear seat (an issue for anybody with older kids).

    I can't imagine how the car would be usable for somebody 6'8".

    To my view, they've spoiled the car with the new windshield/roof line.
     
    #8 jsgreenfield, Aug 22, 2009
  9. snoctor

    snoctor Member

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    I have the solar roof and I'm 5'9 too, but to me the headroom is fine. I have a full head of hair but it doesn't come close to brushing the ceiling in the back and the front has more than plenty of headroom. In fact the 2010 Prius has much more headroom than my previous car (05 Corolla) so I'm really happy.
     
    #9 snoctor, Aug 22, 2009
  10. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    My wife and I sat in both but it's been a while. I noticed that in the non sunroof car the headliner had an extra arched shape to give more headroom in the front. I figured that was to compensate for the apex being moved back to give more back seat headroom on the gen III compared to the gen III.

    On the sunroof model the headroom is actually better right under the sunroof opening if you leave the sunroof shade open. at 6" 8"", I'd guess you will sit as far back as possible, so your head will probably be behind the sunroof opening.

    Bottom line, trying both before buying is the way to go. Please report back once you get to check them both out.
     
    #10 royrose, Aug 22, 2009
  11. Maineiac

    Maineiac Monkey Wrencher

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    What? I'm 5'11" and wasn't quite comfortable after a test drive in the '09, perfectly happy in the IV '10. We must be driving in different time/space. Guess you'll be happy sticking with what you've got.
     
    #11 Maineiac, Aug 22, 2009
  12. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    I'm 6'2" and have the seat lowered all the way, and have as much headroom in my non-sunroof Prius as I did in my '08 Highlander Hybrid Limited.
     
    #12 jay_man2, Aug 22, 2009
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