1. Fold down the rear seats 2. Remove the tonneau cover 3. Remove cargo mat/liner (if applicable) 4. Remove the foldable false floor 5. Locate a small cover towards the rear of the vehicle in the black bin. It's roughly centred. 6. Pop the cover and look for the small release handle 7. Pop the release handle and the hatch opens.
Which means there is no need to open it from the front. As long as the doors are unlocked, anyone can just grab the handle and the hatch will pop open. Tom
toyota could of at least put on button on the remote.. when i have friends using the trunk they don't understand where the handle is.. so i always have to get out of the car and do it...
That would require another actuator on the hatch, which just adds more cost and weight. I think Toyota made the correct design decision. The Prius has many features that differ from a "normal" car, so there is a lot of getting used to it. That is part of the deal. Think of it as a chance to broaden your friends. Tom
In a way, there is a "hatch button" on the remote. By default, pressing the unlock button once will unlock the driver door, but pressing it twice will open all doors, including the trunk. You will, however, still have to instruct people on where to lift...
Consider Prius doesn't really has a 'Trunk', it's a hatchback with a liftgate. I think Toyota is following the same design trait in a liftgate system like Mini-Van and Wagon. The hatch will has its own lift 'handle' to open for safety/security reason since it's considered as a door back there. Though I don't mind if Toyota has an option to put in the 'automatic' liftgate like in the upper-trim Sienna, that would be cool (& expensive) too!
They better start learning cause more new cars will come with a power-actuated trunk My friend's TSX is one and it's a regular sedan. Same goes for the IS, ES, Camry Hybrid (although this one actually has a remote switch by the driver's side in the usual place) and so forth.
