Popular Mechanics

I just found the article at http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive...gy/1215782.html -- not sure if they disallow external links or what...

 

I assumed that the manual Jetta would have better MPG than the automatic, and they wanted the MPG to be as good as possible for the hybrid vs. diesel comparison.

 

Actually, that's exactly how I would compare it. Since fuel economy is the primary factor, they put the highest mileage car against the Prius. When I was looking at the Jetta TDI, I was also looking strictly at 5 speed models.

 

I find it interesting the PM only got 32.9 mpg in the city but 56 mpg on the highway. I wonder how they were driving.

 

Having come from a Jetta to a Prius, I've learned a few things..

- I don't have to worry about my windows not going back up when I put them down in the Prius (common VW problem).
- I do have to worry about corners in the Prius. The Prius wallows. The Jetta attacks the corners. The review is spot on with their comment.
- Toyota service absolutely has a lot to learn compared with VW service. But I suppose VW does get more practice.

 

They probably should have compared both models. Even with the Insigt or the HCH, I would have chosen the manual tranny over their CVT models to maximize my fuel mileage. The Prius primary distinction is the fact that by design it cannot have a manual tranny, so it's tough to really compare it on an even keel with other models.

 

I think part of that wallowing in the turns problem is the OEM supplied tires. They are wretched.

Read the reviews from users in Tire Rack, the link on the left.

Vastly better tires are avaliable.

 

When we have 5.00 per gallon gas we will be importing that Lupo as well.

Oil hit new per barrel highs late last week (this being the first day of the week), and the costs have yet to be fully passed along at the pump level.

 

Tires would help, but wouldn't do anything for the body roll/dive.

We need the Euro suspension kit, and even that is probably only a good start rather than the ultimate handling solution.

 

Well, compared to what we're used to driving here in North America (Land yachts like the Buick LeSabre, SUV's like the Chevy Suburban, pickup trucks like the quad cab Dodge Ram, etc), the VW Lupo *would* seem terribly underpowered and too small.

But as Robert Taylor mentioned, when a gallon passes $5, we may very well put the Suburban up on cinder blocks and cheerfully squeeze behind the wheel of a Lupo 3L.

BTW: The Lupo model "3L" refers to the rated fuel economy of 3 litres per 100 km, or around 94 MPG Imperial Gallon.

That said, I would still probably buy a Prius again. I really like the interior space and have grown fond of it.

 

I think too much is being read into these comparisons. First, as already mentioned, fuel in Europe is extremely expensive. Fuel economy is often a much higher priority than feature content. Since the Prius is being touted for very high fuel economy, it is going to get paired up with some odd company. A Prius compared to a VW Lupo will have the Prius look like a large luxury car. Is it a fair comparison? Probably not. However, the reader now has the opportunity to decide if they want to give up some fuel economy for better comfort and "wow" factor.

In my case, if it hadn't been for the facts that my Saturn was a lemon, and I needed to replace it, and Ford was late to the table with the Escape hybrid, I would very likely be driving an Insight or an Escape Hybrid to and from work now. In my case the Prius beat the Jetta wagon TDI by having just enough space in the back seat, to where I wasn't having my knees jammed into the front seat. I bought a leftover '03 Prius due to the sole fact that with the way I'm built, I literally could not rest my back against the back seat due to me banging my head on the roof of the car when I would try in an '04. I'm 6' 2" tall, and most of my friends are of similar height. Since this car replaced my people hauler, it has to haul people. I know that other 6 foot tall plus people seem to be able to fit back there somehow. It's just another example of how subjective such tests are.

Personally, I don't care what the writer of the car thinks of any of the vehicles their testing. I look at the data that the tests generates. Ergonomics, seat comfort, and styling are all quite subjective. One example I can make for this, is how Consumer Retorts whines incessantly about the stalks on the steering column typically being hidden by most manufacturers behind the steering wheel. Personally, I don't care as they are minor functions that I memorize anyway. Toyota caved into CR's whining and set them up high where the labels can be seen. The consequence for this is controls that now operate in the opposite manner of what has been for better or for worse, industry standard. I STILL catch myself trying to operate them in the manner that has been ingrained in me since I was first learning how to drive.

So, CR likes these, I hate them. If the author is bringing up a question of value in the terms of fuel economy on the above test, it's a valid question that can only be ultimately answered by the potential buyer when they make their choice. What he's stating in the article is his opinion, and should only be taken as such. As much as we like our Prii, not everyone is going to. Despite reviews that seem to draw criticism on the Prius, Toyota still has a waiting list. They're doing something right, and a couple of car rags written by people used to driving six fiure exotic cars isn't going to dampen the apparent enthusiasm by the masses.

 

When it comes to magazine column writers, that is more true than usual. There is also an old saying that applies here:

Opinions are like sphincters; everybody has one and they always stink.

 

I read that Popular Mechanic's article with great interest thinking that finally a car mag would actually compare the Prius with a car of it's own size, but to no avail. The Prius is a mid-sized car, the Jetta, a compact. If PM had compared apples to apples, that is a mid-sized Prius with a mid-sized VW they would have tested the Passat diesel and the results for Volkswagon would have been dismal. The Passat is much slower and much less fuel efficient than the Jetta, but, of course, is more the same size as the Prius. That would be a more balanced comparison. Alas, many writers set out to discount the success of the Prius by comparing it to usually far smaller cars. :roll:

 

Jeez.

The Passat has just recently become available. They usually prep these articles at least 6 months in advance, so there was probably no chance of having a Passat to test with. Even if they had, the Passat has more HP than the Jetta TDI and would still blow thru corners in a way that my beloved and beaten Prius can't even fathom.