Consumer Reports article

Springtime · 03-02-2006, 08:31 PM

Just received my Consumer Reports 2006 car edition today. They have an article comparing various hybrid car costs vs non hybrid car costs. Interesting article, but, why would they compare the cost of a Prius with the cost of a Corolla?

The idea of the article was to show that it still costs you more over a 5 yr span to buy a hybrid vs a conventional car - even with gas savings and federal tax credits.

I am puzzled why they would compare a Prius to a Corolla. It seems to me with all the Prius features (and being considered a midsize car) it would be more in line with a Camry and not a Corolla. I know a Prius will cost more than a Corolla, but, I am getting a lot more car for my money.

If they had compared it to a Camry - maybe it would not have supported their viewpoint that hybrids cost a whole lot more than non hybrid cars to operate over a 5 yr period.

Springtime

SW03ES · 03-02-2006, 09:18 PM

Thats exactly right, if they had compared it to what it really is comparale to in interior volume and content level, a Camry which costs more than a Corolla and gets significantly lower mileage it wouldn't have supported the goal they had in mind for the peice. If the comparison had ben a $30k Camry that gets 21MPG the end result would have been pretty different.

Remember that the car media is still just that, the media.

mdmikemd · 03-02-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Springtime@Mar 2 2006, 08:31 PM
Just received my Consumer Reports 2006 car edition today. They have an article comparing various hybrid car costs vs non hybrid car costs. Interesting article, but, why would they compare the cost of a Prius with the cost of a Corolla?

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As I have stated, for us the Corolla was never a choice...it was down to the Camry, Rav4 and Prius.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-02-2006, 10:56 PM

The old Prius, maybe since it was smaller but this new one has the interior volume of a Camry. Just because it's small outside doesn't mean it has a small interior.

john1701a · 03-02-2006, 11:24 PM

Several years ago, the enthusiasts began comparing Prius to the "Camrolla" to avoid any type of misrepresentation like they just pulled.

Prius clearly fits in between Corolla and Camry. Anyone claiming otherwise is either not being sincere or hasn't taken the time to actually check for themselves.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-03-2006, 01:39 AM

So that'll be the Avensis?

Isn't the Prius based off the Avensis anyway?

LisaMarli · 03-03-2006, 01:45 AM

Some one at some point, years ago, compared a Prius (probably an 01 or 02) to a Corolla, and Everyone has insisted the cars be compared ever since.

It is obviously a stoopid, lazy comparison at best. Many use it more visiously to "Prove" the hybrids make no sense. I'll have to read the article (my CR hasn't arrived yet). But they may need a talking too.

Lisa

cwerdna · 03-03-2006, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Mar 2 2006, 10:39 PM
So that'll be the Avensis?

Isn't the Prius based off the Avensis anyway?

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I'm not sure about that. The Scion tC is the US version of the Avensis.

KMO · 03-03-2006, 03:10 AM

The Prius isn't based on any other car, it's a unique platform, although it shares some components. Its front suspension is from the Avensis, and its rear suspension is an "evolution" of the Corolla's, according to a European press pack I have here.

psirus · 03-03-2006, 05:30 AM

I think the stupidity is based on something like this: since the Prius gets great economy, let's compare what it costs to non-hybrid "economy" cars. Stupid! They completely miss much of the pleasure in owning a Prius, which for me includes the high level of technology and a smoothness of powertrain that is different from any non-hybrid "economy" car. For me, the Prius replaced a 5 series BMW, and I would not have been happy with any other new automobile under $30,000.

03-02-2006, 08:31 PM	#1
Springtime Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Just received my Consumer Reports 2006 car edition today. They have an article comparing various hybrid car costs vs non hybrid car costs. Interesting article, but, why would they compare the cost of a Prius with the cost of a Corolla? The idea of the article was to show that it still costs you more over a 5 yr span to buy a hybrid vs a conventional car - even with gas savings and federal tax credits. I am puzzled why they would compare a Prius to a Corolla. It seems to me with all the Prius features (and being considered a midsize car) it would be more in line with a Camry and not a Corolla. I know a Prius will cost more than a Corolla, but, I am getting a lot more car for my money. If they had compared it to a Camry - maybe it would not have supported their viewpoint that hybrids cost a whole lot more than non hybrid cars to operate over a 5 yr period. Springtime __________________ Springtime Eastern PA 2005 Silver pkg #6

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03-02-2006, 09:18 PM	#2
SW03ES Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 1,114 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thats exactly right, if they had compared it to what it really is comparale to in interior volume and content level, a Camry which costs more than a Corolla and gets significantly lower mileage it wouldn't have supported the goal they had in mind for the peice. If the comparison had ben a $30k Camry that gets 21MPG the end result would have been pretty different. Remember that the car media is still just that, the media.

03-02-2006, 10:56 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,888 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	The old Prius, maybe since it was smaller but this new one has the interior volume of a Camry. Just because it's small outside doesn't mean it has a small interior.

03-02-2006, 11:24 PM	#5
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,715 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Several years ago, the enthusiasts began comparing Prius to the "Camrolla" to avoid any type of misrepresentation like they just pulled. Prius clearly fits in between Corolla and Camry. Anyone claiming otherwise is either not being sincere or hasn't taken the time to actually check for themselves.

03-03-2006, 01:39 AM	#6
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,888 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	So that'll be the Avensis? Isn't the Prius based off the Avensis anyway?

03-03-2006, 01:45 AM	#7
LisaMarli Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 115 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Some one at some point, years ago, compared a Prius (probably an 01 or 02) to a Corolla, and Everyone has insisted the cars be compared ever since. It is obviously a stoopid, lazy comparison at best. Many use it more visiously to "Prove" the hybrids make no sense. I'll have to read the article (my CR hasn't arrived yet). But they may need a talking too. Lisa

03-03-2006, 03:10 AM	#9
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 911 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: T Spirit Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The Prius isn't based on any other car, it's a unique platform, although it shares some components. Its front suspension is from the Avensis, and its rear suspension is an "evolution" of the Corolla's, according to a European press pack I have here.

03-03-2006, 05:30 AM	#10
psirus Join Date: May 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think the stupidity is based on something like this: since the Prius gets great economy, let's compare what it costs to non-hybrid "economy" cars. Stupid! They completely miss much of the pleasure in owning a Prius, which for me includes the high level of technology and a smoothness of powertrain that is different from any non-hybrid "economy" car. For me, the Prius replaced a 5 series BMW, and I would not have been happy with any other new automobile under $30,000.