Toyota Prius - Boot space, comfort & practicality

The Toyota Prius is longer than most of its plug-in hybrid hatchback competitors, but it’s narrower and lower due to its focus on reducing drag. The shallow windscreen reaches out in front with raked A-pillars, so there are relatively large blind spots up front. The view rearwards is also poor, with visibility from the rear-view mirror partially obscured.

The aerodynamic shape of the latest Prius has compromised space in the back, but it’s easy to get comfortable if you’re sitting up front. Design-spec models have fabric seat covers, while there’s synthetic leather for Excel trim with ventilation for those up front.

There’s a decent level of kit, although while there are front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, a 360-degree camera is not an option – something we’d quite like, given the limited rear visibility. 

Dimensions and size

At 4,599mm long, the Prius is 46mm shorter than its predecessor and 50mm lower. As it stood, the fourth-generation Prius was a relatively low-slung hatchback when compared with rivals, but this version has a much sportier profile that will certainly stand out among its hatchback-bodied competitors. 

While previous generations of Prius have been offered in a Prius+ MPV body style, Toyota has no plans to create a larger version of the current car.

How practical is the Toyota Prius?  

Seats & space in the front 

The front seats are spacious, and aside from a slightly odd driving position, there’s nothing to really complain about. There’s a good amount of adjustability in the seats, so taller and shorter drivers should have no issues getting comfortable. Headroom is fine, because the seat goes low if you need it to. There are two cup holders in the centre console, a storage bin under the armrest, and a spot for your phone by the USB ports.

Seats & space in the back 

The rear seats are where the Prius starts to feel cramped. Legroom is acceptable, and the bench seat is comfortable, but the seating position is upright, so longer trips might be a bit of a chore for people back there. 

Adults will find limited headroom too; our measurements show it’s roughly the same in the back as the Vauxhall Corsa supermini. There’s enough room to sit upright, but with your head touching the roof, it’s not a relaxing experience. Slouching to create more of a gap means your legs hit the seat in front.

ISOFIX points in the back are handy, and children won’t have headroom issues either, so as a family car the Prius works quite well.

Boot space 

While there’s 284 litres of boot space in the Prius, which is more than in the previous generation, it’s not enough to make it feel as if it’s a roomy, useful size. Open the hatch, and the most noticeable thing is just how high the boot floor is, and how shallow the loading area is as a result. You can’t fit large boxes in either, because of the low rear screen.

There’s no real underfloor storage – there’s a cubby for a tyre repair kit, and that’s about it. The loading lip is high, too, so lifting heavy items into the Prius might be an issue.