Prius is a midsize sedan, right?

Yes, the 04-06 Prius is a midsize. The earlier Prius I was a compact. www.fueleconomy.gov lists size class of vehicle and interior room.

 

There are two popular ways to classify compact and mid-size (etc.)

- interior volume: Yes, Prius is a mid-size in this category. Believe it or not, my BMW 540iA is classified as a compact. No kidding. My bimmer has smaller interior volume (cargo space included) than my Prius. This is the way EPA classify vehicles today.

- wheel-base: No, Prius is considered a compact due to its shorter wheel base. This is the more traditional way how most Americans look at the size of vehicles.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml#sizeclasses

 

It's a "hybrid"! By that I mean that in terms of interior length, it is midsized. I htink there is less than an inch difference between a Prius and a Camry. Rear seat legroom is awesome for a small car!

It's width is where it feels more like a compact. Three in the back is just not comfortable.

Overall, it's a "small midsize" to me--lots of room for stuff and legs, not so much for hips.

 

For comparison's sake, the interior room of the Prius is comparable to that of the Camry, minus about .6 cubic feet I think it is? Based on that, it is considered a mid-sized car. The exterior of the Prius has about the same footprint as the Corolla, making it nimble enough to fit into compact parking spaces that a Camry might not be able to fit into. The turning radius is excellent.

 

I compared the length of my Honda Accord to the Prius. The Prius is 12" shorter. It's wheelbase is only 1" shorter than Accord. The weight is 600 pounds lighter at 2845 lbs. It seems like the roof is higher and the width is almost identical.

Consumer re[ports gives high marks to the Prius, but says it's not a mid sized sedan. I think it is a small mid size sedan.

 

I think the Prius interior was designed using dimensionally folded space. While its not as wide inside as a Honda Accord the distance between the seatback and the steering wheel is larger and you have a subject feeling that the interior volume is nearer to a full-size car.

The problem is that if you have an accident the folding of space collapses and you just disappear into some other dimension. :blink: The advantage is there is no mess to clean up. B)

 

A side-by-side comparison of the 2006 Prius and 2006 Camry SE from Autobytel.com (look at the size differentials):

2006 Toyota Camry SE Sedan .................2006 Toyota Prius Liftback Hatchback

General Information
Estimated Market Price $18,810.14 ........... $21,846.55
Invoice $18,132.00 ..................................$20,006.00
List Price $20,375.00 ...............................$21,725.00
Vehicle Class Midsize ................................Midsize
Overall Satisfaction Rating 84 out of 100 ....97 out of 100


Performance
Engine 2.4L 4 Cylinder ................................ 1.5L 4 Cylinder
Drive FWD FWD
Transmission 5 speed Manual OD ................speed Variable Speed Automatic OD
Compression Ratio 9.60:1........................... 13.00:1
Horsepower 154 hp @5700rpm ....................110 hp @5000rpm
Torque 160@ 4000 ......................................82@ 4200
Bore 3.48 ..................................................2.95
Stroke 3.78 ...............................................3.33
Fuel Capacity 18.50 gallons ........................ 11.90 gallons
Fuel Type Unleaded ................................... Gas/Electric
Fuel Delivery SEFI ..................................... MPFI
MPG City 24............................................... 60
MPG Highway 33 ........................................ 51
Convenience Features
Air Conditioning Std ................................... Std
Power Windows Std ....................................Std
Power Door Locks Std ................................ Std
Tilt Steering Wheel - .................................... -
Cruise Control Std .....................................Std
Leather Seats N/C ..................................... Opt
Power Seats Std .......................................... -
Tachometer Std ...........................................-
Rear Defroster Std ...................................... Std
Full Spare - .................................................. -
Premium Wheels Opt................................... Std
AM/FM Radio Std ......................................... Std
Cassette Player - ........................................... -
CD Player Std .............................................Std
Sunroof - .....................................................-
MoonRoof Std -
Dimensions
Wheelbase 107.1" ...................................... 106.3"
Overall Length 189.2" ................................. 175.0"
Vehicle Height 58.7" .................................... 58.1"
Vehicle Width 70.7" ..................................... 67.9"
Seating Capacity 5 ....................................... 5
Cargo Capacity (Cars) 17 ............................16
Front Headroom (Cars) 39.2" ....................... 39.1"
Front Legroom (Cars) 41.6".......................... 41.9"
Rear Legroom 37.8" ...................................... 38.6"

Payload Capacity (Trucks) Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gross Weight (Trucks) Not Applicable Not Applicable
Towing Capacity (Trucks) 907 Not Applicable
Final Assembly Location USA J


Legend
GRP Not Available for individual purchase RET Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
STD Standard equipment for this model DLR Dealer installed
PKG Available as part of an option package N/C No Charge
N/R Status not provided by manufacturer N/A Not Available
OPT Optional Equipment PIO Port Installed Option
- Data Not Available * Note applies to this vehicle



Pardon all the dots. Wanted to sorta line everything up. Here's the link to the website on which the comparison was performed.

 

Overall, it is the 3-inch-narrower and 14-inch-shorter that make people "feel" Prius is a compact when in fact, it is midsize from space perspective. After all, The Prius sit on Corolla chasis and have space as large as Camry.

 

Compared to bloated American scale cars, sure the Prius seems like it should be a “compact†. . . but in comparison to my parent's Ford Taurus, my 6'1†200+ pound body fits better in the Prius. The Prius just feels larger inside. The roof feels higher, the windscreen and dash further away, and it doesn't feel like I am sitting inside of a heavy iron beast.


Best Car Value Under $23,000 - Toyota Prius
Best of Midsize Class Under $21,000 – Toyota Prius
http://www.intellichoice.com/best_values/bovy

 

thanks Rancid... hmmm the Prius is narrower and shorter but seems to out do the Camry in other areas. i have had 5 people in my Prius several times and all have been very impressed with the legroom. my sister says that when riding in my car, it feels like "we are barely going 30 mph"... so many complain about the harsh ride, but my sister is very impressed. her car... Honda Civic.

 

The Prius dwarfs my 05 STI. It's not a small car.

 

The roof is definately higher. I have to stand on a milk crate to wash it. When I wash my Accord I don't need the crate.