Latest review from Consumer Report for 2010 Prius, check it out. Make sure to read the comments section! From the logbook: 2010 Toyota Prius: Consumer Reports Cars Blog Can't wait to see the full report.
I don't always put a lot of weight on Consumer Reports' auto reviews. In the past they've been quick to praise low-cost cars that measure up to their initial tests and then have quality problems down the road. That being said, I do find them interesting reading.
They are not perfect. But, they do offer different type of car review compared to Car and Driver or Motor Trend. And there are significant number of people rely on their review, which may affect sales and resale value.
Consumer reports while not perfect does try to remain fair with all the product comparisons they do. Also after they design their tests they test all the models the same way, and they disclose to the reader all of the criteria that was considered. Other reviews seem to be usually based on a reviewers opinion with very little actual scientific data other then what was submitted by the manufacturer.
“The color screen [in the last generation Prius] has been downgraded to a low-res green screen out of 1983.” Yeah, this is my primary complaint.
“Don’t like the energy display – looks like my old Atari 2600.” It's all personal preference, but I LOVE the fact that Toyota kept it so clean and simple. One of the main reasons I decided against the Ford Fusion Hybrid or Honda Insight is that their displays are way too flamboyant, and I'd get annoyed at seeing it every day.
Interesting, isn't it, that the screen is actually multi-colored. One of my complaints is that the colors are so faint they are difficult to see. Most of the time the colors are visibly different only at night.
