Prius Winner Of Family Car Section Of Jd Power 2012

[Lorna2]

Winner Toyota Prius

1 Toyota Prius

83.0%

Overall ranking 3rd

Toyota Prius owners have raved about reliability in every JD Power survey, and this year it finally takes the crown in the family cars class. Not only that, it moves up to an impressive third place (from fifth) in the overall satisfaction index.

Problems were few and far between, although some owners did feel the brakes could be sharper, and some issues were reported with the satellite-navigation system. Owners were mightily impressed with the car’s looks, though, and said the cabin was a nice place to be, with good-quality materials and an attractive dashboard. Dials and controls were well positioned, too. The quiet, comfortable interior came in for further praise, with good heating and ventilation, and a cracking audio system. Space was also highly rated, particularly in the front, although rear passengers were well looked after, too.

The boot, which is inevitably squashed by the hybrid batteries, could have been a bit bigger, but owners were pleased with the number and arrangement of interior cubbyholes.

The drive was especially well rated, and owners loved the responsive steering and dynamic handling. They also rated it best in class for performance, and although acceleration was a little slower off the mark than some rivals, it wasn’t laboured and gearchanges were silky smooth.

In the workshop, every aspect of the dealer service was well rated, particularly the cleanliness and comfort of the waiting areas. Only Volvo dealers were rated by S40 owners as being more friendly and helpful than Toyota’s.

The Prius beat off all competition when it came to running costs, however, and by quite a distance. Service and repair bills were perceived to be the lowest in class, while fuel consumption was remarkably frugal. Even insurance premiums were deemed reasonable.

There’s more good news for contented Prius owners: the face-lifted car, on sale this spring, has been given even smarter trim, suspension and steering upgrades – and yet another cupholder.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2012/family-cars/263078

[Grumpy Cabbie]

But WhatCar still chose to give it a 3/5 rating.

So either all the owners are wrong OR Whatcar obviously don't know what they're on about.

The cars owners said the drive was well rated and loved the responsive steering YET Whatcar rate ride and handling as 2/5!

I'd be rather concerned if I were Editor of WhatCar. There seems a wide disconnect between what they want in a car and what the general public want. It appears many people want a nice relaxing smooth drive as they are very unlikely to throw it around airfields like motoring journos seem to enjoy.

I just hope that Toyota listen to OWNERS rather than the motoring PRESS who seem so far removed from what people want in a car.

[Parts-King]

The motoring press never seem interested in the average car to me, it has to be top of the range, sporty or with a V8 to get any decent reaction from them

I often wonder why manufacturers loan cars to the motoring press, only to be slated in the next publication while some spotty oik journo gets a free ride for the next month. I suppose it's the "all news is good news" scenario

Having said that, there was a long queue whilst they all formed an orderly line for the GT86

Kingo

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Is it like the difference between Top Gear and Fifth Gear?

Top Gear are idiots thrashing a £100k AMG around a track, whereas Fifth Gear usually try to be a bit more real world. One has great international ratings, the other just about hangs in there. Same with the motoring press - who'd buy a boring mag all about dullard commuter cars? Apparantly nobody.

I suppose too it's only a normal reaction the motoring press have. I remember working for a big company fleet and if you got the keys for a nice Merc for a weekend you were chuffed, but if you got a Primera or Rover 25 you'd be well cheesed and thrash it all the way home (metaphorically speaking of course).

Trouble is, 'boring' cars are boring because everyone has one and they just serve a purpose. Despite the faults and depreciation on mine, I still like the comfort of the drive - it eats miles and is soo smooth. The handling is dull, but predicable and yet it can still be chucked into a roundabout at speed if needed.

[Red diesel]

But WhatCar still chose to give it a 3/5 rating.

So either all the owners are wrong OR Whatcar obviously don't know what they're on about.

The cars owners said the drive was well rated and loved the responsive steering YET Whatcar rate ride and handling as 2/5!

I'd be rather concerned if I were Editor of WhatCar. There seems a wide disconnect between what they want in a car and what the general public want. It appears many people want a nice relaxing smooth drive as they are very unlikely to throw it around airfields like motoring journos seem to enjoy.

I just hope that Toyota listen to OWNERS rather than the motoring PRESS who seem so far removed from what people want in a car.

Id go with the What car not knowing what they are on about option myself - the long term tests are a waste of time imo for example.

The guys get a car for 20,000 miles - but i don't really feel i get much insight into the car - and what its like to live with.

Red diesel

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Id go with the What car not knowing what they are on about option myself - the long term tests are a waste of time imo for example.

The guys get a car for 20,000 miles - but i don't really feel i get much insight into the car - and what its like to live with.

How about a new idea for the motoring press when they do long term reviews; the journo has to PAY for their own fuel? Then they'll get an idea about driving the car in a manner most people do, rather than flooring it everywhere.

It's like the Prius reviews where they often complain about the engine revving hard, yet I don't hang about and I very rarely have the engine rev hard other than if I go up a steep hill.

[Sagitar]

Id go with the What car not knowing what they are on about option myself - the long term tests are a waste of time imo for example.

The guys get a car for 20,000 miles - but i don't really feel i get much insight into the car - and what its like to live with.

How about a new idea for the motoring press when they do long term reviews; the journo has to PAY for their own fuel? Then they'll get an idea about driving the car in a manner most people do, rather than flooring it everywhere.

It's like the Prius reviews where they often complain about the engine revving hard, yet I don't hang about and I very rarely have the engine rev hard other than if I go up a steep hill.

Nice thought. I like it.

I wonder what it would do to Top Gear if they had to pay personally for the tyres that they wreck and the cost of putting the cars back in order when they have finished abusing them?

[Chris Dance]

I never watch Top Gear; they are out of touch with the driving public. Racing around wrecking cars is not my idea of fun. I think the programme gives the wrong idea to young drivers on how to drive. Having read the motoring press for several cars I have owned it was like reading about different cars. I have owned a Gen 2 & now a Gen 3 Prius both have been very good cars, easy to drive comfortable and excellent MPG.