Car & Driver Review: 2013 Prius v

This guy is the most incompetent reviewer I've seen

Code:

However, we were only able to average 31 mpg over 480 miles of mixed driving

Hi must have test it in winter in Alaska driving in mountains.

 

That is a crazy low number. Overall, I wouldn't say the review was bad. He ALMOST recommended it at the end if you have to "carry all the kittens". We managed 41 with 3 dogs, 2 kids, 2 adults and a cargo box up to the mountains yesterday. Hoping to end this trip at around 45 if all goes well tomorrow. Keep in mind that any major car magazine is always on the lookout for low 0-60 numbers, stiff rides and overall BMW 3-series like performance. The Prius family does not (for good reason) match up well with these editors.

 

But could you imagine if the Prius family did match up a little bit more with these editors? I mean, the popular sedans can scratch maybe 4 of 10 stars on the enthuse scale. How 'bout if the v got 3 stars and still delivered the mpgs, if that's possible.

 

I appreciate a "objective" review. Overly critical or too positive are just as bad unless they are accurate. Best to find a good forum and start reading. I did.

 

Invariably many owners of "whatever car" will be incensed by the reviewer of that car. Don't these reviewers realize that to find fault with the car that I bought is akin to telling me that my daughters teeth are crooked?

I think the Prius V that we have is a great car, but I couldn't possibly believe that it would suit everyone's needs or wants.

Note the reviewer wrote, "However, we were only able to average 31 mpg over 480 miles of mixed driving, unquestionably by ignoring the V’s exhortations to relax and rushing a bit too much." (Underlining to emphasize driving style.)

We have consistently averaged in excess of 45 MPG since buying the V. I hope that anyone reading this forum understands that "spirited" driving will yield fuel mileage numbers below the advertised EPA ratings.

 

I wish they would hire a person that would review cheaper/ high mpg cars like we would want them too. For saving money and getting things done while saving gas. Before i bought the prius i seen it loose badly to the insight in this magazine, they gave up mpg, better seats, more room, better car in general for more steering feel....

 

Does C&D have an audience ? It sure isn't me. The only amusing thing I have read so far from these posts is that driving like a moron is being cast as 'spirited.'

For anybody wondering, I have not seen a tank below 50 mpg in months, even with my not_very_fuel_frugal wife accounting for half the driving.

 

So if you can pick up any "Joe the driver" in a corner, give him the car to drive and he will do better than folks at car & driver? Take a look at what car and driver had before.

 

The one very consistent thing about C&D car reviews is they put a major focus on things that don't matter to me and totally ignore the important stuff. If the car blew up at the end of the review, that would not cause a single comment. But if it eluded the cop chasing it, then it gets the highest rating possible.

 

Driving in B mode the entire test would give low numbers like these but make the car slightly more responsive as the ICE never shuts down, even at idle. I seem to recall reading someone doing this in a review/test of the prius a few months ago, maybe it was C&D.

 

Can't disagree with that.

 

wait til the $30k tesla comes out.....

 

Car and Driver won't. I'm sure they are laden with reviewers who take in more than a few track days a year and drool to drive European sports sedans and such.

Speaking of reviews, re-read Edmunds review for Prius liftback. Gotta say, they are pretty much spot on in my book.

 

They were probably burnin' the backroads with the v, same thing I was doing on the Green bike << actually mine was the black GSXR out of the picture.

 

I think it more likely they drove with either the fuel or brake pedal mashed to the floor, on a route with lights and stop signs every 100 meters or so. A Prius does not get down to 30 mpg unless huge amounts of kinetic energy are wasted.

 

Well, it's kind of a weird review. They praise it first, pan it for performance, then say it's something you've gotta have on shopping list. Fairly lousy review IMO.
and 31 MPG? Yeah, sure. with tires at 10 psi.

 

or like said above, tires deflated to 10 psi?

Don't think I could possibly get 31 in a v. If I get 46 in Winter, I get pretty antsy.

so, yeah, I'm with you all, this is a lousy review. Shame on C&D

bet they did it to pump up the C-Max whose fuelly.com is still well under 40. pffft.

 

Yeah, once I saw the 31 mpg figure, it invalidated their entire review. They don't get it.

 

That's a really biased review. What's up with the kitten reference (over and over). why the lead foot (31mpg). really? That review was obviously missing the target audience, or pandering to the Prius haters..