Hi All:

___In regards to the Prius II being a compact or mid-size, the EPA does define it as a mid-sized automobile with a passenger and cargo capacity of between 110 - 119 Cu. Ft.

How are vehicle class sizes defined?

Sedan - Subcompact: Between 85 and 99 cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
Sedan - Compact: Between 100 and 109 cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
Sedan - Mid-Size: Between 110 and 119 cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
Sedan - Large: 120 or more cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
Station Wagons - Small: Less than 130 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume
Station Wagons - Mid-Size: Between 130 and 159 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume
Station Wagons - Large: 160 or more cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume


___With that being said, we have some caveat’s and disclaimers … The Prius II without being a hatch (if it were a sedan) would not meet the cutoff of at 110 cu. ft. of a true midsized automobile. The Toyota Matrix is built off the Corolla platform but uses the tallish 5-door hatch design to achieve far larger overall interior capacity. The Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5 HB’s are considered compacts and although larger then the Prius II, are considered a smaller category of vehicle? I think they might be deemed station Wagons even though they are simply HB’s?

Toyota Matrix: Passenger: 96.2 - Cargo 21.8 = 118 cu. ft.
Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5: Passenger: 94.4 - Cargo 18.6 = 113 cu. ft.
Toyota Prius II: Passenger: 96.2 - Cargo 16.1 = 112 cu. ft.
Toyota Corolla: Passenger: 90.3 - Cargo 13.6 = 103.9 cu. ft.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net