Yaris Cross - Why no parcel shelf? Why no rear-seat lighting

[TopGeek]

Two things upset me about this expensive vehicle:

1. If there's one thing I detest about my new (3 weeks) car it's the flimsy load cover that Toyota provides instead of a firm parcel shelf. It really cheapens the appearance of the car and allows road noise to penetrate the cabin.

I've searched the Internet and found some on e-bay at outrageous prices but none of the specialist suppliers have a suitable item. Technically, I can't see any obstacle to the fitting of such a shelf. At a push, I suppose I could make one using hardboard but I would prefer a proper moulded item.

Perhaps the Yaris Cross is too new for the afterparts people to have yet identified it as a market opportunity.

2. With all the sophisticated electronics and relatively comfortable interior design, why on earth did they fail to include rear-seat lighting? There is a square plastic blanking plate in the roof lining behind the rear-seats and I wondered if that might be a place where lighting  could be installed. Does anyone here know ?

[Roy124]

Brian, you maybe in a minority regarding any form of load cover. 

Some may just want a simple cover to hide what's in the boot, though with privacy glass or is already concealed. 

Others may want more vertical space and others may convey dogs. 

Then the safety lobby might suggest a traditional parcel shelf could be dangerous if you put heavy loose objects on it. 

Regarding a rear light, I agree entirely. 

[Guest]

Most "parcel shelves" are now just flimsy pieces of whatever they are made of, and cloth covered.

I think the old traditional term parcel shelf is a bit misleading. Nobody in their right mind would stick any parcels on one.

However, I do prefer a "solid" cover to one of those flexible offerings. Although, in saying that, a roll/fold away cover is probably more practical and it wouldn't bother me either way.

[TopGeek]

Thanks for your comments Roy. Let's face it, the vast majority of cars, whether saloons or 5-door, do have a solid parcel shelf. In the case of 5-door vehicles, the shelf can easily be removed. My objection to the fabric version is that it would be easily torn and that it doesn't inhibit road noise. A solid shelf is also a useful place for rear-seat passengers to put hats, scarfs, gloves, etc., so long as they don't restrict rear-view visibility. I agree that the last thing to put there would be parcels.

[Rhymes with Paris]

I liked the solid shelf on my old 2012Honda CRV.

Which could also be stored as a perfect fit on the boot floor If more height needed, and was two tier IIRC, very versatile.

Heavy ribbed plastic covered with carpet , very solid and sturdy.

[Yugguy1970]

I've not had a car with a roller shelf before.  I like that it can be rolled up and stowed easier than a fixed shelf, but I don't like that you can't put anything on it and it doesn't separate the boot area properly.

[TonyHSD]

You can diy a proper parcel shelf using the existing one for measure, basically I can’t see any other practical use of it really except to cover the boot. Some thins material and wrap it with sound insulation carpet, add two straps and you have the perfect parcel shelf. I also noticed the boot floor  dividers been very flimsy, input my hand on one of them ina showroom car and it bend badly., omg of you load anything heavy. Maybe was the car missing some under cover support, don’t know. 
Another thing that Yaris cross hasn’t got is a plastic interior trim around the rear hatch window area, those reduces rise noise too. 

[Roy124]

My SAABs all had solid wooden and carpeted shelves. I can't remember my Ford's, but my last Mercedes had the roller style cover and a roller dog guard too. 

I remember a problem with the lightweight composition one on the Corolla. When it was clipped to the tail gate it rose to a perfect height to brain you as you leant forward. 

[Cyker]

That's so weird! The normal Mk4 has a typical cardboard parcel shelf, but the YC doesn't??  

My dad's Verso has a detachable roll-up 'Tonneau cover' for the boot area.

[Yugguy1970]

I think the rollup is an Suv thing.

We're too sporty for fixed shelves 🤣 cos we have a 'lifestyle' and all 🤣

[Gray86]

All estate cars (inc Corolla TS) have a roll up luggage cover. They are easier to work with than a solid item - it can be fiddly to remove the shelf from my wife’s 2015 Yaris sometimes 

[Roy124]

The YC features a foldable cover.  Seen it done but the missus said no so it sits in two bin liners in the loft. 

[cruiserOAP]

8 hours ago, TopGeek said:

Two things upset me about this expensive vehicle:

1. If there's one thing I detest about my new (3 weeks) car it's the flimsy load cover that Toyota provides instead of a firm parcel shelf. It really cheapens the appearance of the car and allows road noise to penetrate the cabin.

I've searched the Internet and found some on e-bay at outrageous prices but none of the specialist suppliers have a suitable item. Technically, I can't see any obstacle to the fitting of such a shelf. At a push, I suppose I could make one using hardboard but I would prefer a proper moulded item.

Perhaps the Yaris Cross is too new for the afterparts people to have yet identified it as a market opportunity.

2. With all the sophisticated electronics and relatively comfortable interior design, why on earth did they fail to include rear-seat lighting? There is a square plastic blanking plate in the roof lining behind the rear-seats and I wondered if that might be a place where lighting  could be installed. Does anyone here know ?

It's probably a good idea to have a fabric load cover if it discourages people from using it as a shelf to store items, a practice which has killed and injured people in front end crashes even at low speeds.

I remember when people used to put transistor radios on the rear shelf. Fancy being hit on the back of the head with a radio travelling at 30mph?

[Roy124]

8 minutes ago, cruiserOAP said:

remember when people used to put transistor radios on the rear shelf. Fancy being hit on the back of the head with a radio travelling at 30mph?

Or nodding dogs. 

[TonyHSD]

14 minutes ago, cruiserOAP said:

It's probably a good idea to have a fabric load cover if it discourages people from using it as a shelf to store items, a practice which has killed and injured people in front end crashes even at low speeds.

I remember when people used to put transistor radios on the rear shelf. Fancy being hit on the back of the head with a radio travelling at 30mph?

100% on that 👍 although I believe that whoever designed these covers never  even seen a radios like that. , it’s purely a cost saving thing. These days cars comes with screens, batteries, and all sort if tech but the paint, parcel shelf and interior light are optional 😅

[Rhymes with Paris]

24 minutes ago, cruiserOAP said:

It's probably a good idea to have a fabric load cover if it discourages people from using it as a shelf to store items, a practice which has killed and injured people in front end crashes even at low speeds.

I remember when people used to put transistor radios on the rear shelf. Fancy being hit on the back of the head with a radio travelling at 30mph?

Aye, those dansettes with the square 6v Battery were pretty solid bits of kit.

A pal of mine had one on the rear shelf of a rover 90 , never turned off, mainly because you couldn't reach it from the front.

But you're right, never thought about a radio Luxembourg missile shooting through the car in a head on.

 

[Roy124]

Not a problem in those days.  The radio would not catch you up.  Even if it did, you probably would not know. 

Now a days you need to search around for bits and pieces to personalise your pride and joy. 

In my first the extras I had installed were seat belts, screen washer, radio and aerial. 

In the second, radio, aerial, seat belts, fog lights, reversing light, hazard warning lights.  Then I got inventive and went for relay controlled QH lamps. 

So it went on.  Now the car comes with more computers than my last aircraft. 

[YarisHybrid2016]

The soft cover doesn't bother us. I never put items for transport on there, and even just putting my jacket on it causes the jacket to contact the rear window and obstruct the view. Pointless really.

[Ralph H]

19 hours ago, TopGeek said:

why on earth did they fail to include rear-seat lighting?

I know why they didn’t light the rear of my excel. It’s so you can’t see the cheap plastic door cards with plugs where the manual window winders would be. 

[anchorman]

19 hours ago, TopGeek said:

Two things upset me about this expensive vehicle:

1. If there's one thing I detest about my new (3 weeks) car it's the flimsy load cover that Toyota provides instead of a firm parcel shelf. It really cheapens the appearance of the car and allows road noise to penetrate the cabin.

I've searched the Internet and found some on e-bay at outrageous prices but none of the specialist suppliers have a suitable item. Technically, I can't see any obstacle to the fitting of such a shelf. At a push, I suppose I could make one using hardboard but I would prefer a proper moulded item.

Perhaps the Yaris Cross is too new for the afterparts people to have yet identified it as a market opportunity.

2. With all the sophisticated electronics and relatively comfortable interior design, why on earth did they fail to include rear-seat lighting? There is a square plastic blanking plate in the roof lining behind the rear-seats and I wondered if that might be a place where lighting  could be installed. Does anyone here know ?

I’m not keen on several things that are cheap.  I’d prefer a decent parcel shelf because there is a lot of noise comes from the boot floor.  I’ve addressed the root cause of that but I’ll maybe come back to the parcel shelf.   As for the lighting, yes, it’s appalling for a Toyota, absolutely pathetic.  You can fit leds to the front which is a step change.  That plastic cover at the back is actually access to the sharkfin aerial but it is helpful for getting in the roof space.  I’ve run a wire from the front left light to the rear but used a VW group vanity light which has a perfect colour match surround and either fades in and out with the doors or comes on with the left switch.  It’s not super bright but at least saves rear seat passengers fumbling in the dark with the seat belts.  Mine has a pan roof but I’d put it a little further forward in a plain head lining.  

[anchorman]

4 minutes ago, Ralph H said:

I know why they didn’t light the rear of my excel. It’s so you can’t see the cheap plastic door cards with plugs where the manual window winders would be. 

My Yaris had electric rear windows 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Ralph H]

17 minutes ago, anchorman said:

My Yaris had electric rear windows 🤷🏻‍♂️

Yeah mine has electric windows but has manual window door cards with plastic bungs in the winder holes. 
 

[anchorman]

12 minutes ago, Ralph H said:

Yeah mine has electric windows but has manual window door cards with plastic bungs in the winder holes. 
 

Can you show a photo?

[Ralph H]

56 minutes ago, anchorman said:

Can you show a photo?

Here you go top photo is rear door bottom one is front 

[cruiserOAP]

11 hours ago, Roy124 said:

Not a problem in those days.  The radio would not catch you up.  Even if it did, you probably would not know. 

Now a days you need to search around for bits and pieces to personalise your pride and joy. 

In my first the extras I had installed were seat belts, screen washer, radio and aerial. 

In the second, radio, aerial, seat belts, fog lights, reversing light, hazard warning lights.  Then I got inventive and went for relay controlled QH lamps. 

So it went on.  Now the car comes with more computers than my last aircraft. 

Ah yes - I remember hacking holes in door cards for Speakers. My favourite DIY extras - two old hifi Speakers in the space behind the rear seat in a VW Beetle, and in my old Volvo Amazon (great car!) I fitted the Fire button from a Chieftain tank (don't ask) in the dashboard, wired to the starter solenoid.