Um, what am I missing, shouldn’t the Prius be in a 2-way- tie for first? There are 5 possible “quality†icons, in the form of circles. All you have to do is the circles a number value (like in an S.A.T. exam) as listed in the various categories (Reliability – Owner satisfaction – Owner Cost – Safety): Example: Striped circle . . . . . . 25 points ½ striped circle . . . . . 20 points White circle . . . . . . 15 points ½ solid circle . . . . . . 10 points Black circle . . . . . . ZERO points That would give the Prius and the Accord 90 points while the Altima only gets 75 points. In fact the Touring Prius has the same value as the regular prius, yet it’s rated 15th (out of appx 20 or so). Apparently the Road test / touchy feely / esoteric value, unlike circle icons, give quite a big boost. Apparently the mileage value adds nothing to the formula either, or the Prius would be listed highest. Confusion abounds, can someone explain? I’ve never read the buying guide before. As a side note, the “Best / Worst†break down, laid out from Cheapest to Expensive tells a sad tale: BEST WORST Under $20K Hyundai Chevy From $20K-$25K Honda Chrysler From $25K-$30K Nisan Dodge From $30K-$45K Infinity Mercury From $45K-$65K Infinity BMW From $65K up Lexus BMW I note it isn’t until cars are priced beyond $45K that European cars beat U.S. cars as poorest ratings. Are these the companies we ought to bail out? IMO, that seems kind of lame.
Hi Gary, Yes, the road test scores are dominant with respect to vehicle ranking. The other columns are provided to furnish additional info but they do not influence the ranking. You can decide which columns are dominant in your personal vehicle choice decision-making. Although the non-Touring Prius has many outstanding features, I would not designate its handling as world-class. I've seen the suspension described as "agricultural", and that is not far from the truth. The Consumer Reports listing acknowledges this.
They must weigh it mighty heavy, to knock out both owner satisfaction and highest mpg. I wonder how the stiffening plate would 'sway' them (I couldn't resist)
i believe they ranked the other cars higher because they had a lower price. and those circles are separate from the road test score which it also grouped by and cu does not like the headlights in the touring
I'm a 40 year subscriber to CU and I use their data as general info and not absolutes. I also look at Edmunds and similar sites.Selecting a car is a process loaded with individual bias... a lot like choosing a wife...or is it? Would that be a loaded Thread or what...
