Want to know why the Prius C was trashed by Consumer Reports?

I don't think that's the real reason. I also already posted about the above at Nissan Hires Top Car Reviewer (David Champion) of Consumer Reports | PriusChat.

CR has trashed a number of Nissans too, including the current (recently redesigned) Versa. A number of Nissans have made CR's not recommended list due to poor reliability (e.g. 370Z).

 

Of course not.
No publication or reviewer can be, just as no single buyer can be the last word on the merits of any car, otherwise there would be a LOT fewer car makes in the world!

If you're wondering why the trial-sized Prius was "trashed by CR" maybe you ought to consider the possibility that they found it wanting in more areas than others do or did.....especially since many of those "others" have 20+ thousand reasons to believe that the C-model is a good car, and you know what?
For them....it is a good car.
You know what else?
The dealer lots aren't choked with excess inventories of C-types, and I'm thinking that Toyota just might sell every one that they make.
Don't get swell headed about it though. That's not a really high bar.
Wanna know why?
GM is going to sell every one of the Cruze models that they make too, excepting that they just might have to knock some bucks off of the selling price before they do. There's a recession on, you know.

I've never needed anybody else to tell me that my car (truck) is a good car (truck.)
I've also never looked down on somebody else because they roll different sheet metal than I do.
That's not how I roll.

If you're not picking up what CR is putting down, then don't read their crap.
Easy!

 

How would it 'seem' if you drove a 2012 Mustang? Or....a 2012 Prius?

My sincere apologies if you’re offended.
Hostility isn't my intent.
I'm in the Prius community too.
I drive a 2010....every day.
However (comma!) I didn't pay for it.
This gives me a unique perspective on the G3....and throughout thousands of posts (some...even counted)I've either sung its praises, or land blasted it depending on whether or not we're talking about a Prius strength or weakness.
Some people think that I'm a huge fan. Others think that I hate all Priuses (or their drivers... ) Still others think that I'm AFU.

Depending on perspective....they're all right.

Using automotive publications to pick your car is moronic.
Reading all available data about a perspective automotive purchase obviously is not. I've never bought a car (since I was a kid) where I didn't know MUCH more about said car than the person who was showing or selling it to me.

Using an automotive review to justify an already purchased make/model???

Er.... (*) I think that I've already covered that, which might bring us back to the apology I mentioned earlier.

 

This subject has taken on a life of its own. CR didn't like the C. Big deal. Their criticisms were at least partially valid, but given the generally warm acceptance by the automotive media, not enough to dissuade potential buyers. Gas is heading north of $4 again, the C will continue to fly off the dealer's lots.

 

Ford is probably lining some pockets with the new cmax coming out.. and the more controversy the CR gets it also sells newspapers. Has the cmax been reviewed yet by CR? Should be interesting to see what they say.

I can't help but think that $$$ buys reviews. I don't give CR much credibility. JMHO.

 

Consumer Reports likes the liftback and the Prius V. That seems to weaken the conspiracy theories for me.

 

Not this again.

 

It's a small matter, but, did you mean to say "lambasted?"
It can be administered anywhere; on/in/under land, sea, or air.

lam·baste
tr.v. lam·bast·ed, lam·bast·ing, lam·bastes Informal
1. To give a thrashing to; beat.
2. To scold sharply; berate.

lambasted - definition of lambasted by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

 

I get what you are saying, but I would rather call it their own perspective or point of view on things rather than a prejudice. They look for reliability and value. For example they were pretty harsh on the new Civic, not because it is not a very good car, but rather because it was not much of an upgrade over the previous generation and other car makers like Hyundai made such great strides on their new cars. So, while not perfect, CR does a very good job at what they do - you just need to balance their review with other reviews and most importantly your own opinion.

As for the OP - it is a bit asinine to assume that the company is biased because an employee chose to change employers. Had it been the other way around (a Nissan employee joining CR) perhaps, but even then you would need to give CR the benefit of the doubt.

It is my understanding that the reason that CR dinged the Prius C is that the interior felt cheep for a car in its price range even when accounting for the hybrid premium. I have never been in a C, but I have that issue with my 2009 - the interior materials are substandard and the seats so uncomfortable that they would be still considered poor in a car costing half of what my Prius did.

 

In my opinion, the Prius C seats (and the Prius V seats) are more comfortable than the liftback (Gen (III).

 

FWIW, I found the interior materials in the Gen 2 to be decent. When I first sat inside the 2nd gen Prius back in 03 or 04, I was actually impressed by the quality of the interior for a car that Toyota (at the time) was still supposedly losing $ on. The interior quality and appearance (at least its styling) to me was a big step up from Gen 1 (NHW11).

If you feel the Gen 2 Prius' interior materials to be poor, then you'd find the Prius c's to be much poorer, at least for the dash and doors. I can't speak to the seats so much as I forgot to take a careful look and feel.

As for (Gen 2) seats being uncomfortable, to me they're ok. The only time I encountered back pain when was I drove ~1000 miles in over 3 or 4 days. I got a mesh lumbar back support piece for cheap at Fry's in Oregon on the drive back and use it on long trips. I've had no back pain since.

 

CR has not been up to speed for many years now on many products including autos. Years ago I used to check their reports prior to buying products and ended up with some really poor reliability problems. Now I check other sources which often reveal CRs inability to provide intelligent, well-researched information. Regardless, we recently purchased the Prius C and love everthing the reviewer didn't like and found his skills rather pathetic. Love this car, the interior is great, seats roomy and comfortable, and it is fun to drive. Really well thought out articles on the Prius C may be found on cars.com and also on greenmpg.com. The writers are intelligent and provide an unbiased report testing all aspects of the vehicle. Enjoy!

 

People often have these emotional but factless reactions when their favorite does not get a favorable review.

CR's review was spot on for the Prius C.