Maxima is available with two different rear seat layouts — a 60/40 fold - down rear seat with access to the trunk, and a fixed rear seat with center armrest pass - through
for carrying long items such as skis or other sporting equipment.
This ability addresses an often - overlooked safety issue —
carrying a longer item in a hatchback with the tailgate ajar brings the risk of flooding the cabin with carbon monoxide.
But for those wishing to
carry a long item back from their trip — whether it be a Mark Rothko from the Art Gallery or a newly discovered artefact from the latest archaeological dig — a loading length of 2245 mm and load capacity of 1930 litres is accessed by electronically raising the boot floor to meet the seat base, allowing the item to slide through effortlessly.
The 60/40 split - folding rear seat features a small pass - through useful for
carrying longer items even when passengers occupy the back seats.
The rear seat folds down to
facilitate carrying longer items, but the seatback is not split to permit a mix of long cargo and a passenger or two in the backseat.
Overall cargo space drops by just 2 cubic feet to 14, but for those that
regularly carry long items, the non-hybrid model is your only option.
For 2013, a new adjustable design allows the rear crossbar to be moved further rearward to
carry longer items such as kayaks or other outdoor gear.
Folding down the 60 / 40 - split backseat lets
you carry longer items inside the car, and the release levers for the backseat are located along the upper edge of the trunk.
Plus, the handy centre pass - through makes it easy to
carry longer items, like skis and lumber, while still accommodating four passengers.
An extended length version can
carry longer items, and the high - roof edition increases the interior standing height to 77.8 inches.
Although it can't match the outright luggage space of those models and its rear seats don't fold flat, the Lexus does have a reasonably well shaped boot, with a ski hatch that allows you to
carry longer items.
Additionally, 40:20:40 split rear backrests mean the ability to
carry longer items.
There's also a through - load hatch into the passenger compartment that allows you to
carry longer items, and it's possible to seat four inside as long as the driver and front - seat passenger don't like to sit too far back.
What really puts the Lexus GS on the back foot, though, is the fact it's impossible to fold the rear seats down — thus meaning it's impossible to extend the cargo area or
carry longer items.
It's impossible to fold the rear seats down — thus meaning it's impossible to extend the cargo area or
carry longer items.
The optional load - through hatch allows you to
carry longer items, however.
The passenger seat can fold nearly flat as well, in case you need to
carry long items.
In neither case do you have the ability to fold the rear seatback down to
carry long items.