I was always under the impression the Prius was a midsize car. But a check on Edmunds.com classifies the Prius as a compact car. Which one is it? And what defines a compact vs. midsize automobile? Rick #4 2006
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Oct 20 2007, 12:05 PM) [snapback]528165[/snapback]</div> Hi Rick, In terms of outside dimensions (length and width), the Prius is definitely a compact. E.g., it's comparable (maybe even an inch or two shorter in length) to so called compacts like the Corolla and Civic. On the inside, because of the hatchback design among other things, the Prius is comparable to the smaller end of the spectrum of mid-sized cars. BTW I think this topic has been discussed frequently before on this board. I think the most recent thread is linked here: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=38357&hl=
For the current generation, it's a midsize. It's rated by interior volume. The last generation was a compact.
It appears the EPA has taken up the torch of defining car size for fuel economy rating comparisons. Full size car - interior volume 120 cu ft or larger Mid size car - interior volume 110 to 119 cu ft Compact car - interior volume 100 to 109 cu ft Subcompact car - interior volume smaller than 100 cu ft. So the Civic Hybrid is a subcompact car with an interior volume of 90 cu ft. The Prius is also actually a subcompact car with an interior volume of 96 cu ft. I thought it was a "mid-size" car. Guess not! Oh, and the Camry Hybrid is a Compact car, with an interior volume of 101 cu ft.
