How big is the interior of a Prius?
The interior of a Toyota Prius is sizable for a compact hybrid, with about 98 cubic feet of passenger space and roughly 27 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats in the standard model. The plug-in Prius Prime offers similar passenger room but a smaller cargo area behind the rear seats due to the battery layout. Numbers vary slightly by year and trim, but the overall impression is a roomy hatchback that’s practical for everyday use.
To understand what that size means for real-world use, this article breaks down interior space into passenger volume and cargo capacity, comparing the conventional Prius with the Prius Prime plug-in variant. The figures below reflect typical specifications for recent generations and are intended as a practical guide for daily priorities like people carrying and luggage capacity.
Interior size for the standard Prius
For the standard Prius, manufacturers typically report the following space figures to illustrate how many people and how much cargo the cabin can accommodate.
- Passenger volume: about 98.0 cubic feet
- Cargo space behind the rear seats (seats up): 27.4 cubic feet
- Cargo space with rear seats folded (seats down): 65.5 cubic feet
- Seating capacity: 5 passengers
These numbers show that the Prius prioritizes a generous cabin for four adults plus luggage, with a practical amount of storage space for groceries, gear, and daily use when the rear seats are in place.
Interior size for the Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid)
The Prius Prime shares the same overall cabin footprint as the standard Prius, but the plug-in battery’s footprint reduces cargo space behind the rear seats. The interior remains comfortable for passengers, with slightly different cargo configurations to reflect the battery layout.
- Passenger volume: similar to the standard Prius (around 98.0 cubic feet)
- Cargo space behind the rear seats (seats up): 23.8 cubic feet
- Cargo space with rear seats folded (seats down): 53.3 cubic feet
- Seating capacity: 5 passengers
In practice, the Prime offers enough room for everyday luggage and groceries, with the trade-off that the trunk area is a bit smaller due to the battery pack. The passenger cabin remains a comfortable space for four adults on short or moderate trips.
Notes on variation and real-world use
Interior measurements can vary slightly by model year, trim level, and optional storage configurations. When shopping, check the exact figures listed for the specific model and configuration you’re considering, especially if you plan to carry bulky cargo regularly or frequently transport multiple adult passengers.
Summary
In summary, the Prius offers a roomy 98 cubic feet of passenger space and about 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats in the standard model, expanding to 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Prius Prime maintains similar passenger space but reduces cargo capacity behind the rear seats to roughly 23.8 cubic feet, with about 53.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. For most daily needs—commuting with a couple of passengers and groceries—the interior size is well-suited to a compact hybrid hatchback.
Can a Prius fit a full-size mattress?
Q: What size mattress will fit in a Prius? In terms of standard mattress sizes, the closest mattress that will fit in the back of most Toyota models is a Twin.
How spacious is the Prius interior?
With two front bucket seats and a rear bench seat, the Prius can seat up to five passengers. Stretch out with up to 43.2 inches of front legroom and 55.3 inches of shoulder room. Handle your bags or groceries with a maximum interior cargo volume of 23.8 cubic feet.
Is a Prius bigger than a Camry?
No, the Camry is bigger than the Prius, being over a foot longer and having more overall passenger space. However, the Prius has more cargo space thanks to its hatchback design, while the Camry is a sedan with a smaller trunk.
| Feature | Toyota Camry | Toyota Prius |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Size | Larger midsize sedan | Smaller compact sedan |
| Length | Over 12 inches longer than the Prius | Shorter and more compact |
| Passenger Space | More interior space, especially for rear passengers | Less interior space, particularly in the back seat |
| Cargo Space | Smaller trunk with about 15.1 cubic feet of space | More cargo space, with a hatchback design and up to 23.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats |
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How big is the back of a Prius with the seats folded down?
The trunk dimensions for a Prius with the seats down vary by model year, but generally offer about 68–76 inches of length from the back of the front seats to the hatch, with a width between wheel wells of around 37–40 inches. The height of the opening can be around 25 inches, though the total volume with the seats down can reach over 50 cubic feet on newer models.
This video demonstrates the cargo space measurements with the rear seats folded down: 50sSteven WelchYouTube · Oct 4, 2024
Approximate dimensions by model year
- 2010–2015 (Gen 3):
- Length: Approximately 69 inches (from back of driver's seat to hatch)
- Height: Around 25 inches (floor to hatch joint)
- Width: 37 inches (between wheels)
- 2022 (Prius Prime):
- Length: 64 inches
- 2023:
- Length: Approximately 76 inches (from front seat to hatch)
- 2024 (5th Generation):
- Length: Around 68 inches (to back of 6ft driver's seat)
- Height: About 3 feet (door opening)
- Width: 40 inches (wheel to wheel)
- 2026:
- Cargo Volume: 50.4 cubic feet (seats down)
This video shows how to fold the rear seats down in a newer model: 54sCar ConversationsYouTube · Feb 8, 2025
