Vehicle without a center console?

[HM]

One of the things I really love about my Honda Odyssey is the space in the front for legs. I love that there is no console running between the seats and taking up space in the legroom area. However, in the next two years, I'm looking at getting a new vehicle and really don't want another van. I want better gas mileage and something a bit more fun feeling. Just looking around, it seems like all cars today have a console splitting the front area up and making two distinct spaces. To me that feels so confining. And where do I put my purse? I really want to find something that doesn't have that. Anyone have a new model vehicle that doesn't have that?

 

[mamamary]

I'd love the answer to this as well. Our oldest car is a mini van (a chrysler town & country) and does not have anything in between the two front seats. Now when we travel with our lab guess what his spot is? Yep, right in between the seats. We would have no room for him with our kids in either of our other two remaining cars. I'm trying to use the van as long as we can. Now we did just buy our son a car about three weeks ago and every car we saw had the console in the middle. It does seem confining and def. no room for a purse. If I have a passenger with me purse/small packages have to be put in the back so i know exactly what you are talking about.

 

[HM]

Who is designing these vehicles? Only men?

I get so irritated when I drive in my kid's Jeep Patriots or my DH's Buick Rendevous, because I have no where to put my purse.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I would hate that!

 

[Dizlvr]

When I went from my minivan to the SUV I have now it took alot of getting used to having a center console. I put my purse on the passenger side floor if I'm alone and if not I put it in the back behind the console.

 

[Meriweather]

I love the console. I like the container there and the drink holders.
I put my purse on the passenger seat when no on is there......if the console is low enough (last car it was), I put it on top of the console.
If someone is in the passenger seat, I put my purse on the back seat. If the car is full, I stick it at my side by the door.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I dealt with the very same issue last summer when I replaced my 10 year old Honda Odyssey! I went with the redesigned Toyota Highlander. Many of the changes in the design were actually made by a woman, one of which is a very large center console compartment which holds my purse! If I'm by myself, I usually throw my purse in the passenger seat, just as I did in my van. If I have a passenger, I put it in the console. The Highlander feels more spacious in the front than most of the SUV crossovers that I test drove.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[xlxo]

I agree.... With my minivan rentals, my backpack can go between the seats. Now it occupies the passenger seat or trunk.

Just got a PriusV (yep there's center console). I wonder if the mechanic can remove the console for you as it's only used for storage and cup holders. There is no hand brake in the PriusV. Love the fuel economy when driving within the city, but can still haul stuff with and without the rear seats folded down. Can't believe how much money I'm saving on gas running on EV mode in congested conditions!

Then again, there is space between the console and front dash that can fit your purse, but not my backpack.
http://media.zuza.com/0/e/0eead00b-...ota_Prius_v_2015-interior_85135___Gallery.jpg

 

[TAX GUY]

You could ask if there's an option to remove the console. Some possible issues with that is if there is any electrical (rear 12V outlet, climate controls for the rear, duct/vents, etc).

Since you want better mileage, I don't think you'll find that and something without a center console, new or newer. If you must have the open space, you'll probably be looking at another van. An SUV won't get you better mileage but I "thought" there was one that had a removable console? Not sure though.

 

[xlxo]

The PriusV had nothing electrical in the console, nor any ducting. Then again, I got the base model.

 

[HM]

I agree.... With my minivan rentals, my backpack can go between the seats. Now it occupies the passenger seat or trunk.

Just got a PriusV (yep there's center console). I wonder if the mechanic can remove the console for you as it's only used for storage and cup holders. There is no hand brake in the PriusV. Love the fuel economy when driving within the city, but can still haul stuff with and without the rear seats folded down. Can't believe how much money I'm saving on gas running on EV mode in congested conditions!

Then again, there is space between the console and front dash that can fit your purse, but not my backpack.
http://media.zuza.com/0/e/0eead00b-...ota_Prius_v_2015-interior_85135___Gallery.jpg

That's more like what I'm looking for. Something that doesn't take up all the space between the dashboard and seats. That low console area would do OK. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[HM]

I just went and Googled the PriusV interior. Seems like there are a lot of variations. Some don't have the space xlxo showed, but have a much more 'invasive' set-up. Ugh. Even within a model, it looks like I'd have to be searching for the right thing.

 

[TAX GUY]

If you look at any SUV, see if there's an option for a "40/20/40" bench seat. That will free up the space on the floor, but not between the seats. Then, you might have the option of removing the "20" part.

 

[xlxo]

I just went and Googled the PriusV interior. Seems like there are a lot of variations. Some don't have the space xlxo showed, but have a much more 'invasive' set-up. Ugh. Even within a model, it looks like I'd have to be searching for the right thing.

Yes, look for the 2015 models. In Prius models that did not have an opening between the console and dash... I think there was a large passthrough opening to store things (your purse) hidden from thieves. Take a quick trip to the Toyota dealership to check it out.

I should add, while the PriusV feels under powered at times, I just put it in the "performance" mode for that highway merge and back to eco mode to save fuel.

 

[xlxo]

Here's an image at the centre console with a hollow passthru below the shifter that can accommodate a purse.
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadt...0903_01z+2010_toyota_prius+center_console.jpg

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't think you're going to find a small car without the center console. And even if it was missing, there wouldn't be room between the seats for a purse unless it's a VERY small purse. The console on my Focus can't be more than 4" wide.

 

[HM]

Here's an image at the centre console with a hollow passthru below the shifter that can accommodate a purse.
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/alternative/112_0903_2010_toyota_prius_first_look/16645464/112_0903_01z+2010_toyota_prius+center_console.jpg

Yeah, I hate that. It's not as much as being able to accomodate the purse as it is the way the whole console coming across between the seats and attaching to the dash makes you sit in a cockpit. I don't want to feel hemmed in by plastic. I don't even use my arm rests in my car now because even that bothers me somewhat, and they are small.

 

[tvguy]

I'm 6'2" so I appreciate the option of getting a car without a console and with the transmission shifter on the steering column or on the dash. Our Newest Explorers and Escapes at work all have the console and transmission selector on the floor, but they are available without the console. Makes for a tight squeeze for us tall folks....since we end up having to put the 2 way radio on one side of the console and the police scanner on the sides of the console instead of under the center of the dash and out of the way.

This has been a huge issue for Law Enforcement too. Chevy came out in 2011 with a Caprice for police work and only sold it with a console and the transmission shifter on the floor......trying to draw customers when Ford eliminated the Crown Victoria. Left the cops no place to put the 2 way radios, computers and scanners.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm sorry, I don't understand how center console = less leg room. The console is between the seats. How are your legs going there? Or are you referring to since there's no place to put your bags, they go at your feet?

 

[HM]

Yes, that's partially it, but it's also a perception of being hemmed in that bothers me. I'm talking about the consoles that take up 1/4-1/3 of the area in front of the seats, not the part that goes between the seats. I like lots of space for my legs to move around (when on cruise control and long trips) too. This is especially important for tall people.

See this photo above. If the console stopped at the edge of the seat and the floor space was open under the dash, that would work perfectly for me. I do like having a place to put a few things between the seats, I just don't want the darn thing to take up a large part the front of my car. Put the gear shift on the steering column.