cargo area question, replacing 2013 plug in

All gen-4 has a slight dip, where the seats fold down. I believe the gen-5 has a similar dip. They are NOT flat all the way to the front seats.
You can always remove the rear seats and create a flat, slide-out platform.

 

How many miles on her?

 

The generations after your gen3 have less space overall, but not a drastic amount. For the gen5, it is mostly because of the lower roof line. The gen5 Prime's cargo area mostly level with the seat backs when they are down, and near bumper height. Same with the higher trim hybrids. The cargo floor of the LE is sunken down.

The gen4 hybrid cargo floors go the same way, with lower trims sunken. You won't be happy with the gen4 Prime. The battery means the cargo floor height is above the bumper and the seat backs when down.

That could just be a side effect of the regen braking. The friction brakes don't see a lot of use, so the pin grease dries out. Regreasing them annually or so has been recommended.

 

Most taller owners here have adjusted, but the roofline is really low, so you definitely want a good test drive.
It’s more of a sports car now, than a utility vehicle

 

Keep in mind that even though gen 3 can be a great long term vehicle, there are a couple of expensive repairs along the way.
One of which is a blown head gasket, and you’re right in the mileage ballpark

 

Have you ever had them serviced? Toyota USA recommends a more in-depth inspection every 3 years or 30k miles, whichever comes first.

I’d second the head gasket concerns too: look into EGR cleaning if you keep it, ASAP. See links in my signature.

 

On the subject of EGR clogging, and the consequences for the head gasket, Toyota literally says:

While the majority of vehicles will experience this condition

^ Like that, italicized and underlined.

They're lying through their teeth.

 

It’s more about acceleration and handling, plus a low sportier roofline.
The hatch is still decent, but not gen 3

 

Doug Demuro has a review, opines on performance.

 

The other problem is buying one. Toyota is not making many because they were nervous acceptance wouldn’t be any better than gen 4

 

Corporate has said they prioritize hybrids over Primes with 13.6 kw and evs with 72 kw because they can make many many more 0.9kw hybrids with the same limited battery resources.

 

Yes, yes, corporate speak.

my theory has always been that Toyota is in the same boat as the other legacy manufacturers.
They are currently unable to turn a profit on ev’s, but make decent money on hybrids due to the 20+ years of design and manufacturing

 

Several dealers around here have their BZ4X sitting on the lot for months. Nobody wants 200 mile range degrading to 150 with AC year round in a wide open area where 100 mile round trip commutes are common. Not when Tesla has two dealerships in town with stock for far less. Toyota was caught with a bad long term plan that forced a change in leadership.

 

Even though the old leader is smugly claiming he was correct all along.


Akio Toyoda Says Slowing EV Demand Proves He Was Right All Along

 

And this guy
They are both old fossil fools living in the past.