Consumer Report's Comparison of Prius vs Corolla

I mostly respect CR's reviews, but I take issue with several things in this comparison. Search here and you'll find other threads with much discussion. Briefly: The biggest flaw is the apple-to-oranges comparison, Prius vs. Corolla. Functionally (ie, the hatchback), feature-wise, and size-wise, the Matrix (more expensive) would be closer. But that's still not a fair comparison. Unlike the other hybrids reviewed, there is no equivalent gas-only model to compare to the Prius. Furthermore, they have probably over-estimated maintenance and repair costs for the Prius. Same with depreciation. Check out used Priuses for sale and you'll see them fetching a lot more than what CR's depreciation schedule would suggest they should.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Feb 21 2007, 07:41 AM) [snapback]393847[/snapback]</div>

I agree on the apple to oranges comparison. The Prius is a midsize car, the Corolla is a compact car. For a better comparison they should have compared it to a Camry. The matrix is also considered a small station wagon. Looking at midsized stations wagons I see: Focus wagon, Passat wagon, Legacy wagon, Mazda 5, etc.

The resale may be taking into account that hybrid production numbers are rapidly increasing so the supply will greater in 2011 than today.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Feb 21 2007, 06:41 AM) [snapback]393847[/snapback]</div>

And on the flipside, it's wrong for them to assume that you'll get the full tax credit in the end.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Feb 20 2007, 11:14 PM) [snapback]393743[/snapback]</div>

I generally agree with CR, and it's a good place to start. But there were a few disagreements here with that article (to put it mildly). There was a thread about this last year when the article came out, and one member wrote in to CR with a correction they agreed was necessary. In their online edition, they revised the depreciation rate, because they had double-charged the hybrid premium (purchase and depreciation). Correcting for that makes the Prius slightly less expensive than a Corolla with their figures.

Keep in mind though, they still expect a higher-than-normal depreciation rate, which is definitely not the case so far. More expensive maintenance which doesn't seem correct (brake pads last life of car, depending on driving style, engine is on half the time so less wear & tear, NiMH batteries last life of car). Also, they did their fuel cost based on 3 years at $2/gal, a year at $3/gal and a year at $4/gal, for an average of $2.60/gal. You can decide for yourself if that's a reasonable assumption for the next 5 years.

Studies done since then have been more positive for the hybrids, but I don't have links to them right now.

 

Well, even if the two cars cost the same over 5 years (which is basically what they've said), you get a midsized car with a lot of luxury features with the Prius. Instead of the much smaller and less fancy Corolla.

The "standard" Camry is a better comparison, as stated above. I suspect you would end up ahead by a fair amount with that comparison.

 

If I remember correctly (that's a big if), the Prius interior space is larger than the Corolla, slightly smaller than the Camry, thus it should be compared to a Camrolla. This is the problem, it's difficult to categorize and compare apples-to-apples.
My Prius has identity issues.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Feb 21 2007, 11:50 AM) [snapback]393972[/snapback]</div>

I hadn't thought of the Matrix being most comparable, but now that a couple of people have suggested it makes the most sense. Similar interior space and performance.

My site can only compare the prices. Using the "minimize shared features" mode, which equips the Matrix like a base Prius, yields a $2,134 price difference in the Matrix' favor. This includes the current tax credit, which won't be around much longer. Adjusting for the Prius' additional features cuts this difference in half.

So, is the Prius worth an extra grand up front to people here?

 

BTW, Congrats on your purchase, welcome and best of luck! (neglected that in my previous post).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mkaresh @ Feb 21 2007, 05:47 PM) [snapback]394206[/snapback]</div>

Definitely.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Feb 21 2007, 10:40 PM) [snapback]394342[/snapback]</div>

Ditto.

 

The Corolla is boring - the Prius is a cool, geeky car with lots of interesting technology. It's like comparing chalk with cheese!

Mike

 

ya that comparison is ahhh... ok fine... show me TODAY, where i can buy a 5 year old Prius for $9000??!
...
...
...
well??, im waiting...
ok... lets look at this. 5 year old classics are going for about 11-13,000 and thats a downgrade. to say that the depreciation between the two will be nearly the same is ludicrous.