2010 Prius - Not Motor Trend Car of Year

[Bobsprius]

I agree with TIZTIM, Don't care.

It was a Regular Gas Fusion, not a Hybrid.

And it won based on sales against Camry/Accord competition I suspect.

I am OK with it, they had to give a plug to the SUFFERING U.S. automakers....IMO

[codybigdog123]

Originally Posted by Dark_matter_doesn't

There have been stories/rumors in the past that the MT Car of the Year award goes to the highest bidder. Perhaps Toyota found something better to do with its $$.

No sour grapes (quite the contrary), but a good friend of mine who's in the automotive advertising business told me a few years ago, that if one were to look at the amount of advertising $$ a company spends at a particular magazine, and then correlate that with the awards handed out by that magazine...one should NOT be surprised that the level of advertising $$ does directly correlate with accolades from a particular magazine. While awards from a magazine are the most overt way for a magazine to help insure advertising dollars continue to flow, the other other way for a mag to give a wink and a nod to a car maker, is to give favorable review on the manufacturers cars. Either way, $$ talk.

[codybigdog123]

On an objective note, if one were to look at the rating criteria (supposedly) used by Motor Trend, IMO, one would be hard press to justify the Fusion as car of the year. From Motor trends web site -

Motor Trend conducts road tests on each vehicle and judges vehicles in six categories: design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value.

I can't comment on the relative safety aspects of one car compared to the next, but I would be hard pressed to find another car that beats the Prius in these categories: design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency. The only category that I would expect a lower rating for the Prius would be in "value".

[PriusSport]

The Prius is probably a better car, but isn't really much different from the '05-'08 Prius. The Fusion is "newer".

That's what happens when your are 10 years ahead of everybody else. I was looking for the next step at Toyota in '10, and it hasn't come yet.

What's surprising is an American car magazine named ANY hybrid as car of the year. There is considerable resistance to change here, in case you haven't noticed. And hybrids are change.

Not the Fusion hybrid? That's more in line with what I'd expect.

[codybigdog123]

Originally Posted by PriusSport

The Prius is probably a better car, but isn't really much different from the '05-'08 Prius.

Define "much different". Yes, both are still hybrids. Yes, both have 4 wheels and are a hatchbacks. But for me, at least, the following differences are significant:

(1) Gen III is more powerful/bigger engine, and YET...
(2) ...gets significantly better MPG's.
(3) GenIII is bigger and weighs more (ie, better ride/stability improved).
(4) A wealth of new features/options, with some not even available on the most expensive cars (any car); ie, solar roof/ventilation package.

While the II and III have similarities (how could they not, as the GenIII is not an entirely new car)...I think there are quite a few (major) differences. Just my take.

Again, if one is to look at the 6 criteria/metrics that MT (supposedly) used to rank cars, the only metric that I can see (of the 6) that the Fusion would score higher on is, "value". The other 5 criteria, IMO, the Prius wipes up on...

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by spietrek

The 2010 Prius missed out on Motor Trend Car of Year. The award went to the Ford Fusion. ...

A nice car, I'm not selling our Prius ... either one.

Bob Wilson

[nineinchnail1024]

Just to clarify, the award does not distinguish between the hybrid and non-hybrid fusion. They are considered two different trims on one car.

[Texas911]

OMG, you guys just go out of your way to look for slights against the Prius. Geez. Note to Priuschat, the world doesn't revolve around the Prius. Variety is the spice of life, there ARE other people who like other cars. That doesn't make your choice any better or worse. Car magazines are written by people, people have different opinions on cars, not everyone will agree. Big deal!

[DaveinOlyWA]

not surprised the Pri did not win. if you look at improvements in both models from 2009 to 2010, the Fusion, especially the hybrid was waaaay more improved. it has easily displaced the Camry hybrid as best mid level hybrid sedan

[eyePod]

COTY doesn't mean much beyond marketing, which Toyota doesn't have any problem with in the Prius. I think a more valid award would be to wait 3 years and then let customers vote on the best car of 2010. I guarantee you that it won't be the Ford!

The Fusion has ranked very high in reliability and customer satisfaction so I don't know why you are saying that