Cars.com calls out Consumer Reports over Toyota Prius C verdict

Cars.com has evidently taken issue with a Consumer Reports video review featured on Autoblog advising consumers that they would be better off buying a used "regular" Prius instead of a 2012 Prius C.

Consumer Reports shouldn't have passed on recommending the Prius C, Cars.com argues: "CR's low testing scores for the Prius C stand in stark contrast to our impressions of the hybrid."

Indeed. Cars.com gushes over the tiny hybrid, saying it might even pick the C over the regular Prius. Furthermore, in attempt to poke CR just a little more, Cars.com notes that used Prius prices are the highest they've been in six months, so looking for a deal there might not make for smart consumer advice.

In a final twist, Cars.com says it didn't name the Yaris-based C as one of its Best Bets, in part, because it relies on Consumer Reports reliability surveys as one metric to qualify any vehicle as a Best Bet. The 2013 C doesn't have enough data to say how reliable it will ultimately be.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/c...ota-prius-c-v/

 

I've now seen a bunch of these on the road.

 

lots of Prius folk posted very positive reviews for Prius c on priuschat.....

 

These things are everywhere in LA.

 

Yes true, I have seen a bunch of them running around here too. Very good size for a city car.

 

Ive seen a bunch in SF

 

I was going to get a Prius C but I found that it was too small for what I needed and went with the regular one. Prius C is still a very nice car especially for city parking.

 

CR kind of sucks these days.

 

The Prius C is a great car. Even fun to drive, while the Prius is criticized for being boring to drive.

Selling very well right from launch. Many owners on Prius chat are reporting much better than EPA mileage estimates - into the 70+ MPG range for some.

My only complaint is the somewhat odd styling. I like the Regular Prius' styling and proportions much more. Personally, I would still buy a Prius over a C for the added size and better highway mileage.

 

was it the seating that was too small, or cargo space, or, yes?

 

Plenty of space.

 

It irks me that the "S" and "C" are for lack of a better word joined at the hip lol

 

maybe for you, but apparently not for djyoshi626 which is why i asked.

 

by american standards, Prius c is definitively small car and not everyone can adjust.

here in europe, it would be considered as family car :-)

 

I've reviewed all of the Prius models so far (except for the upcoming plug-in version), and I have to say that, IMO, the Prius-C model is definitely the best one so far in terms of interior ergonomics, controls, styling, ride/handling balance, and overall livability. The 2Gen Prius, though, was arguability the best one in terms of build quality.....the materials in the newer ones, IMO, have been noticeably thinned and cheapened. And the Prius-V model, of course, with its wagon-body, is the roomiest inside.