I recently tried very hard to look at all the existing American autos to see if there were any I'd overlooked. I studied the Consumer Reports reviews, road tests, and owner based reliability ratings. The following are my personal conclusions.
Comparison criteria:
Average or preferably above average gas mileage sedan, hatchback, or other reasonable commuter vehicle of street parkable size. (Have garage but still drive to places without parking lots) Under $30K. Reliability and warranty important. Technical innovation and build quality important. Exterior/interior styling, ride comfort somewhat important. Enough power for freeway driving/merging. AWD would be great, but it usually reduces mileage and seldom is offered in the vehicle class I'm interested in, except for Subaru and some Audi.
I looked at about 15 "American brand" vehicles for comparison. I found they consistently scored lower for reliability, had reduced build quality and drive comfort, reduced technology and features for comparably priced foreign makes. A couple contenders to mention are the Ford Focus and Chevy Malibu.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the Focus had quite good handling, and might be a good competitor with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in that range to buy American if willing to take a slight reliability hit. It certainly doesn't have reliability equal to similar Japanese offerings like Corolla and Civic. However, I also discovered the Focus engine is made by Mitsubishi. In addition, the styling is ok but not great IMO. The Focus looks a bit toylike, sort of square and boring looking, being styled but not much so it fells sort of half-way to me. A friend recently bought a Focus hatchback and is generally pleased with it.
The Malibu had much lower reliability than comparable Japanese cars, and is otherwise a mediocre offering imo, although it was one of the best American offerings I could find in that class. Handling was fine. It lacks many features the Prius has stock and option. It’s body style is starting to show some European influence, although it already looks a bit dated and again mediocre. In general I notice American headlight and taillight design is IMO boring to ugly. The Malibu has nice curves from come angles, but it has a huge chrome strip across the front with the giant Chevy logo in gold, tacky combination IMO. Similarly the new VW offerings are using more chrome up front which I dislike, but I still think it’s better styled than the Malibu by far.
On practical features the Prius has VSC, TRC, & ABS, and altogether good handling for its class. It has maximum side airbags safety and scores well in crash tests. It gets almost double the gas mileage as competitors in real world applications. It has truly excellent maintenance reliability, scoring well above the competition. Some propagandists circulated rumors that the Prius would have battery issues or be unreliable. In fact, research shows the battery is rated to the life of the vehicle, has performing very well over the years, and is also recyclable. In regards to cost, if one factors in the options then it's quite a good price, for its class. Tax incentives can save $3000 off the vehicle price, and fuel savings can be $600+/yr which makes it very competitively priced. Additionally there is Toyota legendary reliability to factor into vehicle lifetime cost. even better the Prius engine runs almost all the time at low stress RPM, and the CVT has few moving parts to break compared with an automatic transmission. Adding all that up, I'd say that the Prius is a best buy in its class, certainly better than any American offerings.
On semi-subjective points, the Prius engine noise is often silent, and reasonable at its loudest, while all competitors in it's class tend towards engine noise. (luxury vehicles have more insulation and larger warmer sounding engines, but that's irrelevant) The Prius interior is larger, with a huge amount of storage for a vehicle of its size. The design touches such as the dual glove box, cup holders, etc are high quality and seem durably built. Then there is the backup camera and large LCD, which aren't vital but are nice extras. The Prius is loaded with nice extras and excellent build quality.
On totally subjective points, I really like the Prius exterior design. IMO it's elegantly streamlined, a great case of form following function. I like the interior whichis both attractive and functional. The MP3 capability combined with the LCD screen is great. The steering wheel controls are both cool and practical for driving safety.
A few minor criticisms and suggestions for improvement:
A premium quality tire would barely increase production cost, and could even be a nice factory option. Improved under carriage aerodynamics and protective shell would be nice. I notice some new Hondas have encapsulated most of the undercarriage in protective cladding, including the engine compartment which can only help protect it, keep it cleaner, and dampen sound. The Prius exhaust line is very exposed and I wouldn’t want to take it on heavily rutted un-maintained dirt roads on the way to remote camping locations and such. Nor drive it over obstacles like curbs or parking blocs for that reason.
The little buldge in the middle of the hood is a bit unaesthetic IMO, but that’s a really minor issue and probably has aerodynamic purpose. My wife thinks the tail lights are too big, personally I like them. I think the 2006 lights are slightly improved, for example the tail light tops are now lighter which work better on lighter colors and equally well on dark colors.
I like the digital speedometer and that eyes don’t need to refocus between them and the road. However, an analog indicator has the advantage of readability (approximate) in peripheral vision. For that reason, an additional color coded digital or analogue circular meter would be a good. Additional sound proofing is always welcome. Replace the center interior glossy panels with a matte/frost panel that shows dust less. More tactile protrusions on the centerline console buttons for no-look operation.
Increase forward visibility (especially left) with a see-through roof/windshield strut such as the new Volvo concept vehicle has. Motorize seatbelt top attachment point, to slide forward when door is opened. Add side mirror blind spot indicators, both convex mirrors and electronic indicators.
Overall though, it’s really hard to find fault with the Prius. One gets the feeling Toyota went all out in design, and there was a lot of love/polish put into it. Prius is just a remarkably well designed vehicle where they seem to have gotten everything good to excellent. It’s an excellent automobile and I’m hard pressed to pick a better car on the road in any class. It’s probably the most technologically innovative vehicle on the road in many respects, and it has the advantage of being partial zero emissions, so it’s good for the environment, and its great gas mileage is both patriotic and a common sense way to do the right thing for the world. I was telling my wife the other day I don’t think I’d rather drive any other car currently in existence, regardless of price.
Comparison criteria:
Average or preferably above average gas mileage sedan, hatchback, or other reasonable commuter vehicle of street parkable size. (Have garage but still drive to places without parking lots) Under $30K. Reliability and warranty important. Technical innovation and build quality important. Exterior/interior styling, ride comfort somewhat important. Enough power for freeway driving/merging. AWD would be great, but it usually reduces mileage and seldom is offered in the vehicle class I'm interested in, except for Subaru and some Audi.
I looked at about 15 "American brand" vehicles for comparison. I found they consistently scored lower for reliability, had reduced build quality and drive comfort, reduced technology and features for comparably priced foreign makes. A couple contenders to mention are the Ford Focus and Chevy Malibu.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the Focus had quite good handling, and might be a good competitor with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in that range to buy American if willing to take a slight reliability hit. It certainly doesn't have reliability equal to similar Japanese offerings like Corolla and Civic. However, I also discovered the Focus engine is made by Mitsubishi. In addition, the styling is ok but not great IMO. The Focus looks a bit toylike, sort of square and boring looking, being styled but not much so it fells sort of half-way to me. A friend recently bought a Focus hatchback and is generally pleased with it.
The Malibu had much lower reliability than comparable Japanese cars, and is otherwise a mediocre offering imo, although it was one of the best American offerings I could find in that class. Handling was fine. It lacks many features the Prius has stock and option. It’s body style is starting to show some European influence, although it already looks a bit dated and again mediocre. In general I notice American headlight and taillight design is IMO boring to ugly. The Malibu has nice curves from come angles, but it has a huge chrome strip across the front with the giant Chevy logo in gold, tacky combination IMO. Similarly the new VW offerings are using more chrome up front which I dislike, but I still think it’s better styled than the Malibu by far.
On practical features the Prius has VSC, TRC, & ABS, and altogether good handling for its class. It has maximum side airbags safety and scores well in crash tests. It gets almost double the gas mileage as competitors in real world applications. It has truly excellent maintenance reliability, scoring well above the competition. Some propagandists circulated rumors that the Prius would have battery issues or be unreliable. In fact, research shows the battery is rated to the life of the vehicle, has performing very well over the years, and is also recyclable. In regards to cost, if one factors in the options then it's quite a good price, for its class. Tax incentives can save $3000 off the vehicle price, and fuel savings can be $600+/yr which makes it very competitively priced. Additionally there is Toyota legendary reliability to factor into vehicle lifetime cost. even better the Prius engine runs almost all the time at low stress RPM, and the CVT has few moving parts to break compared with an automatic transmission. Adding all that up, I'd say that the Prius is a best buy in its class, certainly better than any American offerings.
On semi-subjective points, the Prius engine noise is often silent, and reasonable at its loudest, while all competitors in it's class tend towards engine noise. (luxury vehicles have more insulation and larger warmer sounding engines, but that's irrelevant) The Prius interior is larger, with a huge amount of storage for a vehicle of its size. The design touches such as the dual glove box, cup holders, etc are high quality and seem durably built. Then there is the backup camera and large LCD, which aren't vital but are nice extras. The Prius is loaded with nice extras and excellent build quality.
On totally subjective points, I really like the Prius exterior design. IMO it's elegantly streamlined, a great case of form following function. I like the interior whichis both attractive and functional. The MP3 capability combined with the LCD screen is great. The steering wheel controls are both cool and practical for driving safety.
A few minor criticisms and suggestions for improvement:
A premium quality tire would barely increase production cost, and could even be a nice factory option. Improved under carriage aerodynamics and protective shell would be nice. I notice some new Hondas have encapsulated most of the undercarriage in protective cladding, including the engine compartment which can only help protect it, keep it cleaner, and dampen sound. The Prius exhaust line is very exposed and I wouldn’t want to take it on heavily rutted un-maintained dirt roads on the way to remote camping locations and such. Nor drive it over obstacles like curbs or parking blocs for that reason.
The little buldge in the middle of the hood is a bit unaesthetic IMO, but that’s a really minor issue and probably has aerodynamic purpose. My wife thinks the tail lights are too big, personally I like them. I think the 2006 lights are slightly improved, for example the tail light tops are now lighter which work better on lighter colors and equally well on dark colors.
I like the digital speedometer and that eyes don’t need to refocus between them and the road. However, an analog indicator has the advantage of readability (approximate) in peripheral vision. For that reason, an additional color coded digital or analogue circular meter would be a good. Additional sound proofing is always welcome. Replace the center interior glossy panels with a matte/frost panel that shows dust less. More tactile protrusions on the centerline console buttons for no-look operation.
Increase forward visibility (especially left) with a see-through roof/windshield strut such as the new Volvo concept vehicle has. Motorize seatbelt top attachment point, to slide forward when door is opened. Add side mirror blind spot indicators, both convex mirrors and electronic indicators.
Overall though, it’s really hard to find fault with the Prius. One gets the feeling Toyota went all out in design, and there was a lot of love/polish put into it. Prius is just a remarkably well designed vehicle where they seem to have gotten everything good to excellent. It’s an excellent automobile and I’m hard pressed to pick a better car on the road in any class. It’s probably the most technologically innovative vehicle on the road in many respects, and it has the advantage of being partial zero emissions, so it’s good for the environment, and its great gas mileage is both patriotic and a common sense way to do the right thing for the world. I was telling my wife the other day I don’t think I’d rather drive any other car currently in existence, regardless of price.
