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2020 L Eco is a bust for car camping

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Sixstringer, Jul 3, 2022.

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  1. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    Bought a 2020 Prius L Eco after trading in my ailing 2004 Prius whose odometer stopped at 300K. In the 2004, the rear seats laid down flat, which was perfect for car camping, and comfortably fit 2. I didn't think they would change that (silly me) so imagine my surprise to find out that when I turn down the rear seats of my 2020, there is a huge 5" step between the seat and the trunk! :(

    I know that were I handy, I could build a platform over this step to be able to sleep comfortably back there. But I am not. My question is not figuring out ways to MacGyver the rear area for sleeping, because honestly, the 2020 is narrower than the 2004 and would be cramped for car camping even for 1 person. I'm guessing the wheelbase is higher in the new cars?

    I'd like to know if there are any new Priuses (or other Toyota hybrids) that do provide a large flat area in the back of the car after folding down the rear seats?
     
    #1 Sixstringer, Jul 3, 2022
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  2. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    The Prius Prime is flat, but you lose a few inches in height because of the larger battery.
     
    #2 Gokhan, Jul 3, 2022
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  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Prime is the reverse of the Eco; cargo floor higher.

    The Eco floor is sunken because it lacks a spare. The Prius trims with spare should have flat level floor with seats down.

    The Rav4 likely has a level floor. The car might trade length for height compared to the Prius though.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Jul 3, 2022
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they'll all be the same width
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 3, 2022
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    It's not flat either; you'll go from a 5 inch step to a 1.5 to 2 inch step. The entire floor rises; so your going to loose head room back there when sitting up.
     
    #5 BiomedO1, Jul 3, 2022
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  6. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    Anyone know if the LE has a level floor once the rear seats are folded down?
     
    #6 Sixstringer, Jul 12, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2022
  7. dtsexpert

    dtsexpert Member

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    deleted comment, misunderstood the question
     
    #7 dtsexpert, Jul 13, 2022
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    If it has a spare wheel, the cargo floor will be higher than in the L Eco. I can't say how level that makes it with the seats when they are folded down.
     
    #8 Trollbait, Jul 13, 2022
  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If you are asking about Prius LE or L Eco, not Prius Prime LE, then I don't know the answer. I think it has been answered by @Trollbait in his comment above. Prius Prime LE (or any other trims of PP) has raised deck such that the rear seat folded will be lower than the deck behind it and it is not completely flat.

    If you need to know about the Prius LE, then you may want to ask to move the thread to the Gen4 forum for a better answer.
     
    #9 Salamander_King, Jul 13, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2022
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder what the financial loss of trading in a 2020 for something flat would be compared to paying mcguyver
     
    #10 bisco, Jul 13, 2022
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  11. Sixstringer

    Sixstringer Junior Member

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    Right now, supply is low and demand is high. With only 8K miles, could get $26-28 for it.
     
    #11 Sixstringer, Jul 13, 2022
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  12. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    Any of the models with the spare tyre have a flat trunk.
     
    #12 PaulDM, Jul 14, 2022
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    true, but isn't it the same for new cars?
     
    #13 bisco, Jul 14, 2022
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