I’m not going to sugarcoat it…I’ve never liked the Prius. Aside from good gas mileage, it is a lousy car. Here are the ten things I hate about the Toyota Prius:
1) It’s too small for a family: There is absolutely no possible way that I could own one and transport my two young daughters. With the seat moved into position to accommodate my 6’4” frame, the only things that will fit in the back seat are groceries.
2) It’s ugly: U-G-L-Y it ain’t got no alibi, it’s ugly, yeah it’s ugly. I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this beholder thinks that the proportions are all off. The Prius is as pretty as that daughter of your mother’s friend who isn’t married despite her “great personality”.
3) It’s loud inside: An amazing thing – when you take all the sound deadening material out, a car becomes really frigging loud at speed. A Prius seems to transmit more road noise to the cockpit than a 60’s Corvette with warped bias-ply tires. I’d hate to go cross country in one.
4) It’s uncomfortable: The seats are lousy and even in the rearmost position, there’s not enough room to extend my left leg into a position that doesn’t hurt after fifteen minutes.
5) The traction control can’t be disarmed: This is actually a problem with most Toyotas. Try taking a Prius up a snowy or icy incline, and you’ll find that the power cuts out the second the wheels start to spin. The only way a Prius makes it up a snowy hill is on a tow strap behind an old Land Rover.
6) There’s no secured storage area: This is a problem with hatchbacks, but the Prius’ expansive use of glass means that everything you own is on display. So much for bringing along anything like a laptop.
7) They handle poorly: Small, soft tires and numb steering translate to a car that is totally out of its element on winding back-country roads. The Prius is about as fun as two hours in an emergency room waiting area. It’s certainly one of the least entertaining cars made today.
8) They are SLOW: We’re talking four seconds slower to 60 mph than a Toyota Avalon sedan! Entering a highway in one can be downright dangerous, especially if there is a passenger and some luggage.
9) They are cheaply made: The interior materials are hard and shiny. The seats are of low-grade cloth. The paint is so cheap and thin that it makes 1950s British cars look like Pebble Beach Concours restorations. Paint on a Prius can chip from a bug splatting on the hood.
10) The fuel economy isn’t that great for the price: For all the technology and hype, the Prius isn’t any better than imports from the early 1980s. One certainly must take into consideration that cars today have 800-pounds of extra weight required to meet safety standards, but for a car that has mpg as its main focus, the Prius doesn’t do significantly better than top-tier non hybrids. When you factor in the additional cost of a Prius, you’d have to drive quite a bit in the city to make up the difference against some traditional gas-powered vehicles.
Given the ten things I hate about Prius, I’m fine not owning one. I do understand why people have bought them…perceived economy, image, a personal mission to “do the right thing”. This all just stands as a slap in the face to the automakers, because really any of the manufacturers could have built something better had they exhibited any vision. With only one good hybrid choice, though, the market went sprinting towards the Prius.
Indeed, when a better mousetrap comes from another manufacturer in the next year or two, the Prius lovers will realize that the cars they adore so much just aren’t as good as they thought!
Sam Barer\'s Four Wheel Drift 
Nice writeup Sam. You have one fallacy in there that must be addressed however:
“…a car that has mpg as its main focus…”
Fuel economy was NOT the design goal of the Prius. Low emissions was the design goal, as a transitory step to meet CARB regs proposed in the late 80s and early 90s. If you recall California mandated a percentage of ZERO Emission Vehicles per manufacturer by some future date, and had allowances for Low Emission Vehicles as a stepping-stone. The Prius and Honda Insight were built to meet the LEV standard. The fact that having a hybrid drivetrain provided a big increase in MPG as a by-product was merely a bonus. Remember these cars were designed in the era of cheap gasoline. They just happen to have reached maturity in the post-Katrina oil shock and the “Inconvenient Truth/Green” era. They owe their sales numbers to that happy circumstance, and nothing else.
Honda was first to market, but failed to keep with the program. Had they had a VISIBLE hybrid model akin to the Prius (aka an Insight with a back seat) they would be right up there with Toyota selling zillions of them.
Ironically VW missed the boat, as they could have ridden that High-MPG wave with their TDI’s, which get even better fuel economy than Hybrids. Oddly they have never used that to their advantage in marketing.
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
You forgot, “It’s a whale on the outside and penalty-box small on the inside.” Plus, as with so many Toyotas, the braking performance sucks.
I also heard that just making the battery that powers the prius is way worse on the gas emissions than every other car
A couple comments on this one:
1) as a double-TDI owner who gets the same mileage, a much longer lasting engine and no expensive battery pack to deal with over time, i’m not on the Prius bandwagon
2) I’m sure that two of your comments (noise and harsh ride) are in large part due to hard, skinny tires, put on the Prius to provide the lowest rolling resistance and best mileage. But they have that unfortunate side effect…
3) My buddy has one and i’ve ridden in it several times – only around town mind you – but I liked it for my short experiences, not sure how long trips might be. And he’s noted that in the colder weather, its mileage isn’t as good as in the summer months to be sure.
It will be interesting to see when others (besides Honda) get hybrids on the market that aren’t SUVs (joke) and/or when diesels get introduced to the mix – they will be more expensive, for certain. It will also be VERY interesting when Toyota or Honda (or both) embrace the aftermarket kits (that currently void the warranty) which allow the Prius to be driven up to 35mph on electric alone. That speed allows probably 90% of in town driving to be done without having to use the gas motor, and most such kits allow plugging the car in at night (in case you don’t get on the highway during the week but stlil need to recharge the car)
interesting times ahead….what we also need is the next ‘catalytic converter’ – namely a groundbreaking emissions-scrubber technology that a) lasts nearly the life of the car and b) easily attaches to the tail end of the engine/combustion system, so you don’t have to drop the engine to service/replace it if needed. Along with realistic electric car battery range and lifespan (I strongly argue neither exists at present) such emissions tech would really throw down the gauntlet, and have the small possibility of retrofit onto older cars too?
amigaboy
I heard the same as Diego that the production of the batteries and later disposal is just as bad for the environment as buying an SUV. So far, none of the Hybrids have impressed me enough with their gas mileage to switch from my 32 MPG gas powered car from the early 90’s.
Can you reference this? Because the report, that is now widely discredited that claimed this battery fallacy is readily available.
Any_Mouse:
The production of the batteries is quite dirty, but the disposal issue is simply an urban myth. My great grandfather started a scrap business, and from the earliest time, batteries were hot commodities for recycling. When my father was a child in the 1940s, he would go around picking up car batteries for resale to recyclers.
Fast forward to modern times, when production processes are much more advanced, and you’ll find that batteries are one of the better products for the environment…aside from the factories that produce them!
While individual litterbugs might dump batteries, most battery material is reused.
chuck goolsbee said;
“Fuel economy was NOT the design goal of the Prius. Low emissions was the design goal…”
Hey Chuck, the Priusofshit does not burn any cleaner than ULEV or SULEV gasoline engines from other manufacturers, the low emissions of the Priusofshit comes from burning less fuel, therefore less emissions.
Nonetheless it IS an AT-PZEV, which is higher than a SULEV. Sorry, your domestics lose AGAIN.
All these Pontiacs may be true in your eyes. That’s why there are lots of Pontiacs with redneckesque bumper stickers sitting in your trailer park and no Prius to be seen.
1) My stepdad is 6’4″ and he fits whenever he drives. He moves the seat back and ta-da, more legroom. It’s the same as other vehicles. 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog fit in there with luggage in the back. Put down the back seats and you can fit enough wood in there to build a fence(our current project). It’s not a cargo plane but it works.
2) Opinion, nothing more. I think the first generation lacked on the style side, the second generation is ok, and the 2010s look pretty awesome. But that’s my opinion. Just as you have yours.
3) It’s not loud inside. Especially around the city, it’s virtually silent. I think the FBI should all drive Priuses (Prii?): Stealth mode ON! Amazing aerodynamics keeps the wind noise down on the highway, and the electric engine is very quiet around town.
4) Thanks for your opinion, once again. I love your negativity. It’s not a Ferrari, but most cars aren’t either.
5) I agree: I wish the traction control could be turned off; but it’s a safety feature, and helps prevent you from losing control. Hence, traction control.
6) I guess you forgot about the little cover that slides over most of the “trunk” area that prevents people from seeing what’s in there. You also forgot about the “secret” compartment under the hatchback area.
7) It handles infinitely better than our 2000ish Ford Explorer, thanks to a lowish center of gravity. I think it’s fine. It’s not a sports car – and it’s not supposed to be.
8) You’re almost correct. The 2009 Avalon hits 60mph in 6.7 seconds, the new Prius hits it in 9.8. That’s about the same as most mid-size sedans.
9) Again, partly right. It’s not a luxury car. But it doesn’t have a luxury price tag either. I drive it all the time, and it’s comfortable to me. But that’s just the opinion of a Prius owner.
10) The EPA estimates used to be WAY higher than most drivers would get; it was almost impossible for me to get 60mpg city, like the 2007 EPA estimate, and they thought that was average. Now with the 2008+ estimates, the number are spot on; and the 2010 Prius gets 50mpg combined – Enough said.
Thanks for taking the time to read a response from someone who actually drives the car on a regular basis.
My Prius is far and away the quietist car I’ve ever owned, especially at highway speeds. The author must have left a window down when he wrote his criticism.
And the author can’t seem to bring himself to mention any mileage figures, so I will. In combined city/highway driving, my Prius consistently stays over 50 mpg. I bought the car hoping it would get 50 mpg highway. It gets more than that, and in the city, so it is doing exactly what I hoped it would.
Gearheads, enjoy your gashogs. Notice the price of gas increasing again?
Harry,
While the Prius might be the quietest car you’ve owned, that doesn’t necessarily provide much more than a single data point. Unlike most car owners, journalists get to drive dozens, if not hundreds of cars. Yes, the Prius is quieter than a mid-80s econobox…Heck, it’s even better than some 1990s econoboxes, but based on its current competition, it is among the loudest at the price point, almost entirely based on the lack of sound-deadening material. It is not wind noise, rather tire noise. The problem gets worse when tires are replaced with any tire with a more aggressive compound or stronger sidewall.
As for MPG, owners have been reporting as low as 42 mpg when used for primarily highway travel. That actually places it lower than many diesel VWs in actual consumption.
Benjamin:
I appreciate your stepfather representing the same height as me, but I assure you that a child in a booster seat, much less a full-sized adult cannot sit behind him in a Prius when he is seated comfortably in the driver’s seat.
On the subject of comfort, you’re right, it’s not a Ferrari. Ferrari, Bentley, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Jaguar, or any of the other cars are not data points for comparison. Among the cars at the price point of a Prius, the Prius simply is not competitive in terms of driver comfort. Go sit in an Accord or Subaru of the same year (such as 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) and you’ll understand. In the Prius’ defense, the Corolla is also an ergonomic nightmare.
Your number six — again, no lockable space is no lockable space. A cover doesn’t cut it if you’re transporting expensive goods.
Seven: like in Harry’s case, one data point doesn’t cut it, especially if your basis of comparison is the Ford Explorer. This is akin to saying that you think Susan Boyle is gorgeous, but you’re comparing her to your last wife, Jabba The Hut.
Eight: I have personally registered 0-60 times in a 2006 Avalon of 6.1, 6.18 and 6.22 seconds utilizing performance timers. 9.8 seconds is by no means anywhere near the average of mid-sized sedans. It is the average of large trucks and SUVs with the smallest available V6 engines. The average for mid-sized sedans is now somewhere around 7.4 seconds, courtesy of the horsepower race of the last decade. Most importantly, if one cannot accelerate in top gear to properly merge (which is a problem with a semi-loaded Prius), it simply puts occupants at risk.
Nine: Again, go look at other cars at the comparable price level. It’s not a luxury car, but neither are Civics or Altimas, which have far nicer materials.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with people buying or owning a Prius. You’ll just find that people whose number-one priority isn’t MPG have a very tough time finding enough value in this car to justify telling others they should buy one.
If you have read my buyer’s guides over the years, you’ll know that I’m big on “priorities” and “trade-offs” when making the decision of which car to buy. The Prius is a one-trick-pony: MPG. To be fair, with the seats down, it actually swallows a bunch of cargo, so maybe it’s a one-and-a-half-trick-pony. This might be important to you above everything else.
But for the rest of us who value comfort, quality materials, handling, safe levels of merging acceleration, low NVH along with fuel economy, the Prius simply doesn’t stack up against cars at far lower price points.
Oh, and Mike, whatever you’ve been smoking is worse for the environment and your brain than a ’59 Continental idling in a garage with the choke frozen on.
Harry is not just a single data point. He, myself and many others are among a larger community who not only recognize the Prius for what it truly is, but we also have the MPG’s and the clean driving records to prove it.
Yes, there are people who will get 42 MPG (and even lower) but that is certainly expected. That is, at least until we legislate common sense and good driving behavior. Until that happens, this or any other FE empowering car can only do so much to mitigate the lower IQ of the driver let alone his/her recognition that driving and burning fossil fuel for fun are not entitlements forever devoid of consequences.
Frankly, I believe I understand why some would hate the Prius or any other fuel efficient hybrid for that matter. After all, it is hard to pry people away from their caked-in “20th century 0-60 MPH” thinking. Fortunately or not, the times have caught up to us and there’s no turning back. The Prius is just here so soften the transition and provide a blue print for future cars. 😉
With that thought I leave you with a quote from Eric Hoffer:
“In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”
Cheers;
It is a common mistake of a segment of the green-set to peg car folks, especially automotive journalists as petrol-crazed lunatics hell-bent on burning as much fossil fuel as possible. I’m sorry to burst the bubble, but it’s simply not the case.
One of the most important concepts to consider is that automotive engineers closest to racing and sports cars have been the greatest source of technology to improve mileage and reduce tailpipe gasses.
Case and point — the Prius can trace its roots to Ferdinand Porsche’s Lohner-Porsche of 1904, which was the first production gasoline-electric hybrid with regenerative braking. Yes, this was the same Porsche as was behind the products that launched VW and Porsche.
Most of the important fuel management technologies have come from the billions of dollars spent over the years by companies like Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Renault, Honda specifically for their F1 programs. Other technologies have either been developed or perfected for endurance racing like Le Mans by Porsche, GM, and most recently Audi.
As for automotive journalists, most of us try not to get too emotionally tied to one company, product or technology. While most of us in the industry have praised Toyota for making hybrids cool and acceptable from a business case perspective, we have also almost universally agreed on one simple statement: if it weren’t for the technology of the hybrid system used to deliver the MPG, the Prius would be considered at best a mediocre product.
This has little or nothing to do with a so-called “20th century 0-60 MPH thinking”. 0-60 tests were created by Tom McCahill in the late 1940s to establish a single benchmark for performance. It was deemed important, because it simulated the most common need for straight-line acceleration: pulling onto a fast-moving highway from a stop.
There is little doubt that there has been too much emphasis placed on 0-60 times. In fact, GM, Ford and Chrysler probably have focused on this statistic so much that it is one of the many reasons the companies are in peril. That being said, the test is still an easy benchmark to establish which vehicles could be dangerous in areas where traffic routes are dominated by merges and rural highway entrances. I personally prefer to look at all statistics — including top gear acceleration and rolling acceleration…not to mention braking and handling, which are just as important to keeping the driver and passengers safe.
I would also suggest that pointing fingers at automotive enthusiasts for being bad to the environment and backwards thinkers is unfair and unjust. Enjoying the vehicle in which you spend time is important, and even Prius owners are guilty of enjoying the image and immersing themselves in the ownership experience. Car people look at cars as art, as science, as lifestyle, as fun, as well as transportation. One can have fun and be good to the environment.
There are many ways to approach the issue. One can drive a Prius and get 55+mpg if the commuting patterns are ideal. (42 mpg is not a result of heavy feet or sub-human brains, rather the end-result of a car that doesn’t like moderate to heavy highway congestion requiring a car and driver to constantly go between 60 and 20 mph, which is common in many metropolitan areas) On the other hand, one can drive a Geo Metro or 1981 Honda and also get 42-plus mpg for the same commute. Or one can drive a fifth generation (1997-2004) Corvette and get 36 mpg on the highway and utilize less steel and aluminum, which is better for the environment than a full-steel car. (Also uses run-flat tires, which means roughly 35,000 less tires made each year that will hit the landfills.)
And one very important thing to take to heart: when GM initially announced its Volt technology, Toyota said that it had no interest in plug-in hybrid technology (due to cost and already owning the hybrid market.) It wasn’t until auto journalists and analysts started equating the technology with market share and dollars that Toyota decided to pursue its own plug-in program in earnest citing the “environmental and energy” benefits.
Toyota’s hybrid system is a great first-step. Most automotive journalists don’t take issue with the hybrid technology. What we don’t like is the package in which the technology comes with the Prius. If we’re talking the Lexus hybrids or the Camry, it’s an entirely different story, because those are good (and even very good) vehicles that can deliver more than just good mpg compared to similarly priced vehicles.
And it is this last issue that is most important to interpreting the intent of the origianl article. Of course, I don’t expect those who spent good money on purchasing a Prius to agree…I expect owners to think I’m crazy. But after being berated by Pinto fans, Fiero enthusiasts, Pacer owners, Jaguar XJS zealots, Camaro crazies, and other blindly loyal auto owners after suggesting these cars had imperfections ranging from minor to major, I don’t get offended and I’m never surprised at reactions to the articles I pen in which one of the themes is the proverbial “calling someone’s baby ‘ugly'”.
Your article has pretty well been nit picked but I hope you don’t mind one more observation. The lockable trunk thing makes no sense. What is the difference between your laptop hidden under a screen in a locked car and your laptop hidden in a locked trunk? Either way a bad guy needs to break into your car to get it.
The difference is that the bad guy will be able to walk past and see something worth stealing in your car, thereby causing him to break into it.
If he doesn’t notice anything, more likely to not break in.
“I guess you forgot about the little cover that slides over most of the “trunk” area that prevents people from seeing what’s in there. You also forgot about the “secret” compartment under the hatchback area.” Get your facts straight before you make idiotic comments, quite obviously, you don’t know the facts…
The issue with little cargo covers is that they are usually only closed when there is something to hide from view. Seasoned car prowlers know this, so when they see a cargo cover pulled, they know it’s worth time to crash and grab.
And statistically speaking — in relative percentages to those on the road, hatchbacks, SUVs and wagons are broken into more frequently than sedans and coupes with locking trunks. So Dandy Randy, just maybe, we have done our research and your blind love of your Prius has blinded you?
couldn’t agree more!
Cheers,
@priushate
We drove a second generation rental Prius when we visited California a week ago. It was SO good an experience that we’ve switched from planning to buy a 2nd hand Lexus LS 460 for $50k to buying the top line Prius V for $35k
The 2nd gen rental we drove was silent as death…it was amazing when we stopped at lights and the thing seemed to “die”, when in fact it switched to electric and was dead silent.
Here’s a hilarious youtube video about how silent these cars are:
The model V we are planning on buying (need to order it) is one of the most advanced cars on the road today.
It has all the luxuries of the Lexus, including Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system, a 4-disc CD changer, eight speakers, integrated satellite radio capability, XM NavTraffic, hands-free phone, and music streaming via Bluetooth, as well as integrated backup camera.
It also has some REALLY advanced safety features:
Dynamic Cruise Control – use cruise control in traffic.
Lane Assist – if you doze off on the wheel the car will sound a beep and then literally drive itself by keeping within the lane markers (it uses cameras to “see” the lines)
Pre-collission Radar – if the car notices you are getting ready to hit something in front, it’ll warn you, tighten the seat belts, and if you don’t brake it’ll actually start braking for you.
Intelligent park – kinda stupid, but the prius will actually parallel park for you, without you needing to do it.
I think you need to drive a 2010 Prius because I own one and would not have bought it if any of the items you highlighted were true for this model. It gets 51 mpg. I have a Prius IV with leather and it is a really nice car and extremely quiet. It has bluetooth, navigation, MP3 USB hookups, sat radio, backup camera, etc. The traction control system I think has been greatly improved as I have had no issues that other Toyota drivers have reported.
The older models had a cheaper look to them but the 2010s are really nice. And, I got both my wife and my 75 year old parents in the vehicle with no problems. I am 6’2″ by the way. So, try it out. Rent one from the Toyota dealer and I think you will be very surprised.
The Prius is for gullible people who actually believe that humans are causing global warming, and that driving a Prius somehow “helps the planet”. Its all MARKETING. I find the so-called “advanced” featured you mentioned totally unappealing and appalling. You said:
It also has some REALLY advanced safety features:
*Dynamic Cruise Control – use cruise control in traffic.*
Um…I prefer to DRIVE whilst in traffic, I dont want the car to drive itself. Why would somebody want to buy a car that drives itself? I thought those were called BUSES and public transportation.
*Lane Assist – if you doze off on the wheel the car will sound a beep and then literally drive itself by keeping within the lane markers (it uses cameras to “see” the lines)*
Again…WHY would I buy a car that thoughtfully takes my control of it away when I am not in the proper mental state to drive safely? If a driver is too tired to drive safely and might doze off behind the wheel, then they should not be on the road in ANY type of vehicle.
*Pre-collission Radar – if the car notices you are getting ready to hit something in front, it’ll warn you, tighten the seat belts, and if you don’t brake it’ll actually start braking for you.*
Uh…this is getting tiresome. Why would the driver of a car whilst in traffic NOT notice an impending collision? Perhaps he/she is reading the paper whilst driving their sentient Prius and is just letting the car do the driving? That is not a useful or impressive feature. Its a feature for lazy/inattentive people.
*Intelligent park – kinda stupid, but the prius will actually parallel park for you, without you needing to do it.*
*eyeroll*
I’m partly against these advanced safety features also because of the ignorance and numbing to the road they are producing, but they do help prevent something because of the inevitability of human nature: People ARE going to drive their cars when not in their proper mental state, and statistically this is true. Just like how guard rails are need because people inevitably will refuse to pay attention when appropriate.
Granted, i would be advantageous for ones to learn driving by using a old, busted up large truck with little blind spots, and no power steering. Then transition to a 3 cyl Geo Metro. I’m theorizing that the skill used to drive those cars successfully would spur better driving because of the knowledge gained from those challengers.
Intelligent parking means someones always given a fish without being taught how to fish.
But in the end the responsibility is on the adult driving the vehicle, to learn how to operate it adequately. Sadly, people will do what people will do.
Perhaps they want to save money on gasoline too. There are so many great reasons to own a Prius. Lowering your carbon footprint is only one reason.
The 2010 fuel-injected models are dull and unsafe. All the advertising in the world won’t make Toyota a competent company with a good car. Toyota is over. I need a sticker for the back of my vehicle telling people I hate it. I really, really hate my Toyota and the company.
I have owned several cars, Fords, Chevys, Blazer, Accord, Highlander, Toyota small truck. My Prius tops the list. I have put 125,000 miles on my 2006 Prius with the leather seats, blue tooth, navigation package, etc.. The negative comments in this article are from people who don’t own one. I bought it because I can drive to and from work for a month on one tank of gas. Back when gas was 25 cents per gallon, might choose a different car. Not today!
All negative comments I’ve heard about the Prius are from people who don’t own them. And what is with this American obsession with excessive power? Is it like people feel insecure if they have less than a noisy V8 under their hood? The Prius has plenty of power for people who know how to merge/pass. Go to other countries and the Prius is not considered slow at all.
Thats because one needs to be of a very special breed to own and drive one. Lets not forget stereotypes aren’t made up. The stereotype e makes them. The car IS UGLY, and it attracts the worst drivers hands down. (kind of a do-right, self righteous ass) Not even going in to detail here.
The car is crap from every angle. Its a foreign car, ugly, cheap, dangerous, oh, and ugly !! You want to save the planet ? Stop breathing.
It works for me because it sends less money to muslim nations. I don’t need a car to reinforce my manhood. I need a car to get places.
#5 is completely wrong … the only issue with snow is clearance. I can go over any pass in Colorado in the deep winter as long as a plow as been through recently.
That’s just one counterexample for your “list,” but, in closing, you forgot #11 :
You hate it because it’s popular, and a top seller: it shows clearly that you don’t know everything about what people demand in a car.
I’ll add a reason to hate the Prius. I have one, and the 12v battery drains completely if you don’t drive the goddamn thing every day. Why the hell did they put such a shitty 12v battery in the Prius?
I love the design, it’s futuristic, aerodynamic, and awesome. I get unremarkable fuel economy ($65 in my previous fiero or now $10 in a prius) to fill up. I can drive from Michigan to Ohio on half a tank. If your a mammoth of a human I can see the room being a problem but four kids in the back would fit just fine. Mine came with rear cover so hiding things isn’t a issue. The only thing I can agree is the seats, but when you consider how much the computers, batteries, software, and electronics…it makes perfect since. Oh,….and two motors! C’Mon give me a break, you’re getting two cars here in one!