Autoweek's attempt to take down the Prius

I think the prior posts are correct on this one. These guys test drive a Prius right after they get off the plane from driving the latest BMW prototype in Stuttgart or whatever. For them, the Prius is a joke. They like cars that are fast, with neck breaking acceleration that pull enough Gs to make your eyes bleed. They think the prius is a putt putt car for tree huggers and wimps. 32 mpg? Can you imagine how the guy must have driven the car? It takes real effort to drive the mileage that low. You have to drive the car in a manner for which it was not intended.

 

Autoweek article is mostly an anti-environmental screed by Crain Communications, part of the right wing media (News Corps, Crain, GE, Disney, et al) which reports itself to be "liberal media" so it can sell poutrage to the right wing customers.

In case you wonder what the Prius tailgaters read, now you know.

 

Perhaps they should write what happens after you purchase the BMW which is a deplorable reliability record, repairs that cost 4 to 6 times more than a Prius, run flat tires cost $1,500 , $1,000 tune ups, brakes $300 per tire, premium gas, 22 MPG combined is a good day, and costly insurance. BMW is nothing more than a money pit and he best day for a Bimmmer owner is the day he sells that albatross.

 

To me it's not necessary that anyone do a review of The Prius and come to the conclusion they like it.
But if you are doing an HONEST review, I think it necessary you actually define your opinions reasonably.

When you totally discount the FANTASTIC city MPG of The Prius by saying that anyone that does that much city driving should buy a bus pass or Zip Car membership you instantly lose a lot of credibility to me.

Autoweeks review doesn't sound so much like an honest review of The Prius, as it does a long rant against enviromentalism or trying to be green.

Again, pointing out that buying a new vehicle isn't particularly a "green" action in of itself, has nothing to do with the merits of Prius- The Automobile. If you are going to down The Prius for being an available new car, produced in Japan and shipped to The United States....then you better be downing EVERY Japanese produced vehicle shipped to The United States.

It becomes cartoonishly ridiculous when every description is spun negatively.

Have we now known for a long, long time that Prius isn't going to be for everyone? Criticism's of HSD and how it operates are antiquated and toothless IMO. Bottom line, is Prius deserves a fair and balanced review, based purely on it's success. Based on it's merits as a class leading Hybrid.

The first reviewer admits "I'm not a huge Prius fan"...that's the understatement of the year. I think it's fine to not be a Prius fan, I think it's fine to say you don't like Prius, or Hybrids. But it's not fine to place these opinions in the format of supposedly being a objective review of the automobile.

Complaints about gas mileage? Claims that several "regular" vehicles match it? Simply not true. Vague statements about a hesitant drivetrain and "uncomfortable" regenerative brakes?

Yes, The Prius isn't a normal single engine vehicle. It's a hybrid. That makes it a different animal. Don't waste time telling me how this hugely successful automobile isn't "perfect". When your review boils down to you think driving a Prius is a "Soulless" driving experience, and complaints about the class leading MPG, and "beeping" which in many cases can be turned off...then I have to think it's your review that is soulless.

 

Just my 2 cents, I drove my 2005 Prius from North Dakota to Billings, Mt. about 400 miles, 85 MPH, heading into 35 MPH winds, 104 dgrees in Billings, with air cond. on high and averaged 36.4 MPG. Pretty good I thought! It's hard to get gas mileage that low! For got 2 people and luggage also.

 

I get sick of reading reviews about the Prius and other cars that cite the soul-less nature, or lack of joy, or compromises. I think the majority of drivers want a practical vehicle that is reliable, comfortable, cheap to buy & operate, has sufficient space, acceleration & handling, and maybe has some special style that appeals to them. EVERY vehicle that has "soul", generates great joy when driving, and/or has no compromises can never meet all of the above criteria.

 

Younger people aren't as interested in cars, so the money's in pandering to the remaining gearheads. Top Gear formula, as it were.

 

AutoWeek's audience is older white males so bashing environment is good for business.

 

I don't understand the logic that drove them to write that an efficient car is inefficient, because it has to be manufactured in the first place. Maybe they're unaware that all cars are manufactured.

 

And of course you have statistics supporting your absurd statement right?

 

Autoweek is in decline, like its demographic. Went from weekly to bi-monthly as readership tanks. The angry white man opinion pieces like the one about the "fashion accessory" "green" Prius are typical. Technically pure junk, just a political rant to reinforce the bias of its shrinking readership.

 

Funny you said that. I went to a party and someone said how you like your new Prius. I said I like it a lot 50 MPG and it is better for the environment and I feel honored to do my part. Someone said I won't buy a Prius since it creates pollution building it. I said you walk than and he said no I drive a SUV. I said you lost me.

 

exactly, they're lost themselves.

 

i wonder if there's some truth to this. i notice my own children and friends are less interested than my generation was. some don't own cars and the others seem to look at them as basic transportation needs. but there are a few with bmw's.

 

A bit too indirect. Tell them they are repeating a false urban legend promoted by AutoWeek, FoxNews and other political propaganda sources.

You can then bore in and tell them that, in fact, Prius is built in the most modern factories, certified to produce less pollution during the mfg. process. The car itself is built, particularly the battery packs, are built to be recycled to reclaim the metals. So overall it pollutes less than most cars over its lifetime.

85% of energy used by a car over its lifetime is fuel used for transport and only 15% is in mfg and recycle. Since Prius uses 300% less fuel than SUV (50 mpg vs. 15 mpg) it pollutes much less over product lifecycle. Most importantly to US national security and climate change, it uses less oil so no oil wars. So watchchu'in driv'in you Osama lov'in scum?

Well maybe leave out the last line if you don't want to ruin the party.

 

I fit none of the above criteria, as I have been most of my life - independent. In focus groups I am the "tell it like it really is..." person they give an envelope to and never invite back again.

When I gave asked for my opinion at a company I worked at who was attempting the redesign of the Hostess line many, many years ago (they were going with the Hostess line as "fine baked goods" - I said this is **** of convenience you stuff in a kid's lunchbox and it will last into the next century if Junior forgets to eat it or stuffs it in his backpack and forgets about it and the stuff is still edible.

They dismissed my comment as "What do you know, you are just the secretary." Oh really?! End result - they did not get the job . Some things you don't mess with.

I do enjoy some P & G on windy country roads, can keep up with traffic to keep things safe...and like my gas mileage compared to the diesel chugger in the driveway. The new car smell is still intoxicating since this is my first new car!

Still single so no matchmaker car for me. She's just keeping me safe on the roads with great brakes, great music in the sound system of my choice and comfortable seats and that wonderful moon/solar roof and my favorite green. No regrets... and just loving this car...never thought I'd be saying that about any piece of machinery... now where did I put the Kool Aid?!

 

It sounds like more of a racist rant to me.

 

Don't know that I'd classify Autoweek's factless, anti-environment, anti-Prius/hybrid rant as "racist" but clearly the three editors who wrote it know their magazine's fading audience demographics.

 

When I see