I have had my Gen III for about a week, and I am loving it. One thing I am having trouble getting used to is my steering wheel. It is not round. The bottom part flattens out a bit. I checked with my dealer and their test drive car also has a non-round wheel. Has anyone else noticed this?
The flat bottom is to allow you to get into the car without rubbing your legs on the bottom of the steering wheel. Just like a Ferrari!
The steering wheel is not round...it is slightly oval...presumably to allow for more leg/knee room. The Gen II steering wheel is very small compared to most "normal" cars and in the Gen III they took it a step further and made it more adventageous to taller/larger drivers. If Gen IV follows suit we may see the futuristic (seen in concept cars) handlebar steering "wheel" shaped much like a Playstation controller...can't wait for that!
The only thing cooler than the steering not being round in the Gen III Prius is if it had KITT's steering wheel Really though, I noticed the irregular shape back in February at the Prius Connection event and thought it was a nice touch with thought to getting in and out for those who like the wheel in a low position (such as myself).
