Urgent help please re Prius luggage capacity/issues

[NeilMH]

I am close to a decision to buy a 2009 1.8 T4 Prius - probably tomorrow but need to resolve one matter. The car, it's history and the seller are all excellent.

Because my wife has a disability we sometimes have to carry quite a lot of stuff. The issue is that we are going from a Liftback Corolla which has a massive boot. Whilst technically the Prius offers quite a good amount of boot space (due to various cubby holes and the under boot floor "box) the issue for us is the main boot area being so shallow (with the cover/blind in it's proper position) and the combinations of things we have to carry. We also temporarily have a Camry with a even bigger boot but we want to switch to something more economical, safer etc etc.

My question is: how flexible is the Prius boot cover to deal with taller loads (in other words how far would it stretch or deform and still attach at the rear and cover the contents? For example, one combination we would have is a resin "day-bed" which ideally could sit on top of 2 large suitcases, or another combination would be a wheelchair on top of the cases. In the most extreme combination, the load would sit about 7 inches higher than the horizontal level of the normal blind position. Would it stretch that far over and still attach? Obviously I could retract the blind or take it out but sometimes I wouldn't be keen for some of the contents to be on display.

Secondly I was so obsessed with the boot that I didn't focus on any other luggage compartments inside the car (albeit that wouldn't help with the primary issue). I would nevertheless be interested if there are any other significant compartments in the car.

Presumably they take roof bars and thus supplementary stuff could go in a roof box if absolutely necessary?

Any help, thoughts or advice would be most gratefully received.

 

 

[NeilMH]

I'm trying my best to get the answers via Youtube and other sources but any help would be appreciated.

Bump removed - bumping against the terms and conditions of TOC.

[NeilMH]

Whoops, sorry - didn't realise that.

[PeteB]

The 2009 (Gen 3) Prius has two glove boxes (1 upper, 1 lower) on the passenger side and a cubby under the central front arm rest.  You can get a fair amount of odds and ends in these.  Plus door pockets and seat back pockets of course, but these aren't massive.

The space under the boot floor is useful for keeping odd and ends out of sight and out of the way, leaving the main boot free.  The load cover is a sort of horizontal roller blind, and will cover fairly uneven loads.

[NeilMH]

Thank you. So it sounds like the cover does extend quite a bit and still attach.

[kithmo]

You could take the boot floor out and the plastic tray to give you more depth and for even more room, put the spare tyre in the rear passenger footwell.

[NeilMH]

Thank you. Great bit of lateral thinking. I'm now asking myself why I didn't think of that! Many thanks. 

[Joseph D]

In my experience the tonneau cover (as it is called by Toyota) is not too flexible and cannot really be used to cover a load that extends too high above its normal level.  For high loads, I take it out (there is storage for it in the boot under floor storage). I mostly will leave it at home though for the duration of the trip. Be aware of the implications of the sloping rear tailgate, it has stymied a few thing you could normally get in an estate, but in most cases putting the rear seats down and pushing in further saved the day. It is important to use the tonneau in its extended position, even when there is nothing in the boot as it keeps the Battery cooler, if it is a sunny day, so don't be tempted to dispense with it long term.

Another idea to consider, if it is only you and your wife travelling, you can fold down the rear seats and there is an significant amount of space for all manner of things. I have used the Prius to help people move on more than a few occasions, and people are always impressed with what you can get in it. I would cover over the cargo with a tarp, drop cloth or blanket to keep prying eyes away.

The best idea is to get an overnight test drive and try out for yourself how you would like to use the space and see if it can work for you.

[NeilMH]

Many thanks for this helpful information. The problem is that due to my wife's problems with her spine she has to travel with the passenger seat reclining and with some equipmement on the rear seats. We returned to the dealer again to experiment further and for an extended test drive. We have decided to stick with the Camry based on ride quality and usable boot space (in normal circumstances). The penalty is economy and road tax but that's fine. We will also continue to try and keep the Corolla executives running for as long as we can for local trips. Thanks everyone. 

[PeteB]

Have you looked at the Auris Touring Sport Hybrid (an estate version of the Auris despite the name), or maybe even an early Prius Plus if either come within the budget you're considering?

They both have much more luggage space than the Prius and have the same drive-train as the 2009 Gen 3 Prius.

[NeilMH]

Will have a look at both of those. Thank you.

[johalareewi]

While you can get a lot of stuff into the back of a gen3 Prius, the main problem is the sloping rear hatch. It restricts the height of the boot area quite a lot compared to an estate (or verso).  With the rear seats down, you can carry taller stuff but you then have to push it all the way in which might be an issue for heavy items.  You can remove the boot floor and tray to get a bit more height at the back but you lose the level floor.

 You might be better with the Hybrid Auris Sports Tourer (ie. Estate car) if you need height all the way to the back..

 

[NeilMH]

Thank you. We are pursuing other alternatives now, including the Estate (and other estates). 

[kithmo]

The Prius+ (plus) is the estate version of the Prius, with a third row of seats that can be folded flat, a near vertical rear hatch and a boot cover that will cover the whole area from the second row of seats back. With the third and second row of seats folded it's like a van. The T-Spirit one I had also had blacked out rear windows as well as privacy blinds. Problem is they cost about £5k more than the standard Gen 3 Prius.

[NeilMH]

Thank you.