How Should Toyota Improve Driving Position Adjustability in Next Gen Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Jul 2, 2013.

?

Should Toyota Improve Driving Position Adjustability for Next generation Prius?

  1. Yes, I'm 5 ft 2 in or less and would like the seat to adjust better

    1 vote(s)
    3.3%

  2. Yes, I'm 5 ft 2 in or less and would like the steering wheel to adjust better

    1 vote(s)
    3.3%

  3. Yes, I'm 6 ft 1 in or more and would like the seat to adjust better

    5 vote(s)
    16.7%

  4. Yes, I'm 6 ft 1 in or more and would like the steering wheel to adjust better

    11 vote(s)
    36.7%

  5. Yes, I'm closer to average height and would like the seat to adjust better

    6 vote(s)
    20.0%

  6. yes, I'm closer to average height and would like the steering wheel to adjust better

    9 vote(s)
    30.0%

  7. No, I'm 5 ft 2 in or less and the seat and wheel adjust great for me

    1 vote(s)
    3.3%

  8. No, I'm 6 ft 1 in or more and the seat and wheel adjust great for me

    2 vote(s)
    6.7%

  9. No, I'm closer to average height and the seat and wheel adjust great for me

    3 vote(s)
    10.0%

  10. I or we just got the car and don't know yet

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
Page 1 of 2
  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Just wondering how the Gen 3 liftback Prius driving position adjusts up to your liking.
    Poll allows for mutiple selections, but only max of 2 needed, thanks.
    This is for liftback and Plug-in Prius owners. Prius c and v has different dimensions, so I'd appreciate no votes there. Thanks.
     
    #1 cycledrum, Jul 2, 2013
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,287
    16,534
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm ok with the seat adjustment range on the Gen 3. The steering wheel could use just a tad more range.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jul 3, 2013
    cycledrum likes this.
  3. Randy G.

    Randy G. Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2006
    113
    28
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    At 6'4" the electric seat adjusts low enough in the rear of the seat, however, the front of the seat remains too high. I have to raise the back of the seat bottom to make it level and more comfortable.
     
    #3 Randy G., Jul 3, 2013
    cycledrum likes this.
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    You're not along there, at 6'2", longs legs, I found nearly the same in '13 four rental: it would go barely flat enough, but the front edge could lift so high, it could restrict blood flow. Funny enough, the same thing is true in my 1988 SR5 Toyota pickup which has a tilt knob. Toyota seems to have a certain 'ergo formula' in their compact cars (interiors).
     
    #4 cycledrum, Jul 3, 2013
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,287
    16,534
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Speaking of seats, I know it's not the driver's seat but the passenger seat is quite high. Good for short people but I am scraping the headliner and I know I'm not the tallest PCer here. Give it a height adjustment, even if it's a manual one.

    And the rear door armrests are too low.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jul 3, 2013
    cycledrum likes this.
  6. Randy G.

    Randy G. Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2006
    113
    28
    0
    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The blood flow comment describes it exactly!
     
    #6 Randy G., Jul 3, 2013
    cycledrum likes this.
  7. GardenWeasel

    GardenWeasel Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    76
    53
    1
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Average height and steering wheel adjustment is a little shy of perfect...
     
    #7 GardenWeasel, Jul 3, 2013
  8. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    291
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sneak peek at my latest mod - lowered tilt steering wheel. Oh, this is so much more comfortable. Your hands can be resting in your lap yet still easily access all the steering wheel controls. It's almost like driving a go-kart!
    tilt steering 001.JPG tilt steering 002.JPG
     
    #8 phoenixgreg, Jul 5, 2013
    WE0H, PLSPUSH and cycledrum like this.
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,801
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm comfortable in my Prius.

    But I think that it's kind of a stupid question. Yeah, why not improve adjustability and comfort/driving position? Who would or should be against it?

    Luckily for me the ergonomics seem to synch well with my body. But I know some people struggle more.

    But why not? Sure Toyota- Improve Away.

    Make that steering wheel move around like Gumby in an electric chair. And if you want to improve the adjustability of the seats? I'm not voting no against it.
     
    #9 The Electric Me, Jul 5, 2013
  10. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2009
    680
    144
    35
    Location:
    Vernon Hills, IL
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I wish the steering wheel had just 1" more adjustment towards the rear of the vehicle - everything would come into line then!

    And, PhoenixGreg, that air bag alignment is going to do you some serious internal injuries, should you ever be involved in a collision which causes deployment...
     
    #10 chrisj428, Jul 5, 2013
  11. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    291
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Possibly. I would not recommend this mod for any female drivers who are pregnant or may become pregnant as the air bag deployment would be slightly lower. I'm not much closer to the wheel this way as the OEM way, but I do have another concern. By lowering the steering carriage, I may have impeded the proper function of the "crush zone" that all steering columns have during a frontal collision. It depends on where the crush zone is...I did not see it during my mod so I'm assuming it's under the hood.
     
    #11 phoenixgreg, Jul 5, 2013
  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    --------------------------------

    Tideland Prius or another moderator, could you do me a favor and add the word 'How' at beginning of title, to read ...

    "How Should Toyota Improve ...... in Next Gen Prius?"
     
    #12 cycledrum, Jul 6, 2013
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    " In my Prius ..... mad sad room for my knees .... " ... let's see it all ya'll 6' to 6'6"+ driver's sayin' 'I'm good in mine'. Wrist over wheel, no leaning forward, post up yer pics.

    camera 484.jpg

    15" from airbag, plenty. Full out, down, 6 notches slid forward, not cool. :rolleyes:

    'Midsize' car sits like a 'compact' compact. Come on Toyota !!! :mad:

    OMT .... mount column higher in dash so face more vertical, not partly like bus.

    In My Prius - Casual Mafia 'Mad room for my knees..' 0:50

     
    #13 cycledrum, Jul 6, 2013
  14. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    291
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I don't know if you can lower your seat, but if so, my mod would make your hand positions much more comfortable. I'm only 5' 9" so it works for me. But I realize having the steering wheel practically in your lap maybe too extreme in the other direction.
     
    #14 phoenixgreg, Jul 6, 2013
  15. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    It wouldn't hurt that's for sure.

    short of it -
    Need ta lower front edge seat bottom too much tilt, no go w/ mech seat. then could bring up seatback a tad, the way to lessen de reach.

    long -
    Toyota seat tilts vary thru height adjustment from flatter (up) to lot 'o tilt (down), unlike Honduh. In power seat, it's redundant cause front of power button is cushion tilt feature. Can power knob then flatten out cushion enuf? Bro above says no. Is what it is, but no likey. Better to keep same cushion tilt through mechanical and power height range.
     
    #15 cycledrum, Jul 6, 2013
  16. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    1,483
    137
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    The Prius is really built on a Corolla chassis. Although it is listed as mid-size car with the added volume form hatchback cargo space.
    If you compare the suspension systems, it is exactly the same as the Corolla.
    Now you know why the driving positions are like a compact car.


     
    #16 bedrock8x, Jul 7, 2013
  17. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    And 'for me' the Civic (Cruze n surely more) pwnds Prius driving position. Has for years.
     
    #17 cycledrum, Jul 7, 2013
  18. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    Ok, so the 2014 Corolla might give away clues about next gen Prius? If 2014 Corolla is the new one based on Furia, it still gets a torsion beam rear. Whoopeee. :rolleyes:

    2014 Toyota Corolla Photos and Info – News – Car and Driver
     
    #18 cycledrum, Jul 7, 2013
  19. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,246
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    How'd you do it? Replace slider piece for one with longer slot?
     
    #19 cycledrum, Jul 7, 2013
  20. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    291
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I considered that, but that part of the mechanism could not be removed from the column and could not be altered to allow more tilt adjustment. My concept was to lower the entire column by extending where the OEM bolts attach on the bracket. Here are some pics, but I don't suggest doing this mod as it could have affected the how the safety crush-zone functions during a frontal crash. Add to that, the mod could be dangerous for any driver who is pregnant. Also, with my mod, you have 2 settings: Low and Really low!

    Parts I needed were 2 M8x70mm bolts and matching nuts 1.25 pitch (metric) from Ace Hardware. The foam filler required an elaborate template with careful cutting to get a nice fit. Then I sprayed the foam flat black - several coats.

    DISCLAIMER: DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS MODIFICATION
    Tilt steering project 002.JPG Tilt steering project 006.JPG Tilt steering project 008.JPG
     
    #20 phoenixgreg, Jul 7, 2013
    cycledrum likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2