LONDON A hybrid car that combines a petrol engine with an electric
motor to reduce fuel consumption has taken the top place in Britain’s
biggest driver satisfaction survey.
But the Toyota Prius, which has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions in the
family car sector, will continue to be an uncommon sight on the roads
because the Japanese manufacturer is failing to produce enough to meet
worldwide demand. Toyota aims to sell 6,000 Priuses in Britain this year, up
from 5,000 last year but still only a fraction of its total sales.
The Prius, which Toyota claims can achieve 65 miles per gallon and, at
£16,000, costs about £2,000 more than a similar conventional saloon, scored
868 out of a possible 1,000 points in the joint JD Power and What Car?
magazine survey of 18,000 British car owners. The Lexus IS came joint first,
followed by the Honda Jazz, the Lexus RX, the Skoda Octavia and the Honda
Accord.
The Top Ten car models
1 (joint) Toyota Prius
1 (joint) Lexus IS
3 Honda Jazz
4 Lexus RX
5 Skoda Octavia
6 Honda Accord
7 Skoda Fabia
8 (joint) Toyota Avensis
8 (joint) Toyota Corolla
10 Toyota Yaris
The Top Ten car manufacturers
1 Lexus
2 Honda
3 Skoda
4 Toyota
5 Daihatsu
6 Jaguar
7 (joint) Audi
7 (joint) Mazda
9 Mini
10 Volvo
It seems to me that everyone misses the point with statements like "my Ford Fiesta diesel does the same mpg as a Prius". If that car used the hybrid technology then it would be even more frugal, wouldn't it?
My wife owns a Prius and both of us extol its virtues of the economic variety(as opposed to green). We do not believe that motoring emissions make an iota of difference to climate change.
david symons, skelmersdale, west lancs
As Steve pointed out, many small diesel engines can achieve the same mileage per gallon at a considerably lower price. Is this Priusocracy only a "look at me how environmental friendly am I" thing ?
Costin, Bucharest,
I'd probably be all bent out of shape if I drove a Ford Fiesta Diesel, as well...
Steve, Clitheroe, United Kingdom
I think its should be more of a case of a "customer self satisfaction survey". Ive never met a Prius driver who doesnt boaast about its green credentials. As far as I can see 65 mpg is about as good as im getting out of my Ford Fiesta Diesel which cost a fraction of the price and is just as reliable.
Admitedly it doesnt have the "arent I good, look at what Im doing for the environment " factor. But im pretty pleased.
I think there was a South Park episode in which all the adults started driving Prius' and ended up creating a deadly cloud of Smug.....
says it all if you ask me
Lister, Salisbury, England