Autoblog reports that a diverse panel ranging from gearheads like Carroll Shelby and Jay Leno to greenheads such as Jean-Michel Cousteau will chose the 2010 Green Car of the Year.
If we were to predict a winner based on Motormouths scores we’d pick the redesigned Toyota Prius which is averaging an impressive 87. Other nominees include Click for more
Depending on what you drove in the past 10 years, Cars.com’s list of the worst cars sold during the decade (from “the Caddy that Zigs” to Daewoo’s entire lineup) may bring back some laughs, or just painful memories. On the other hand, it’s list of most improved cars may give the car industry hope Click for more
Just days after Jay Shoemakers’ merciless 55-point drubbing of the Toyota Prius, fellow TheTruthAboutCars.com contributor Paul Niedermeyer has countered with a glowing 94-point review. And while Shoemaker savaged every aspect of the “eco-worrier,” Niedermeyer is clearly smitten with the whole package:
There are very few inanimate objects which inspire my personal appreciation, respect, and interest as much as the 2010 Toyota Prius does.
A few weeks ago the Honda Insight got an uncharacteristic hiding, courtesy of the curmudgeonly Jeremy Clarkson. Now it seems that Toyota’s signature hybrid is getting a turn in a critic’s doghouse. The Truth About Cars’ Jay Shoemaker rants just a bit on the 2010 Prius:
Wikipedia action for the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. Just because.
The review embargo now lifted, critics hither and yon are hustling to weigh in on the 2010 Toyota Prius. Herewith the early verdict: the Prius is scoring an average of 87 from reviewers, a whopping 5 points higher than the outgoing model. (One caveat: Toyota hasn’t released a final price for car yet, and most reviewers are making relative value judgments based on an anticipated price of $24k. Click for more
USA Today’s resident critic has been tapping the economic zeitgeist of late, rolling out reviews of one budget-priced ride after another. Who wins that race? By his reckoning, it’s the Kia Rio over the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Which is a tad more definitive than these cars’ overall scores on MotorMouths would indicate: the Versa’s 76 barely edges the Rio’s 75 and the Yaris’ 74. Then again, James R. Healy rates pretty high on the credibility scale, so perhaps he’s on to something grande.
This morning, Consumer Reports attempts to explain how the Toyota RAV4 edged the Subaru Forester in its best small SUV ratings. After much handwringing, they admit that either is a fine choice. True enough. Here’s the review breakdown, without the drama. The Rav4 scores a 78. The Forester a 77. Of course, neither is the best-reviewed in its category.
This’ll be fun. Edmunds.com just published its list of the “10 least expensive 2009 midsize sedans on the market.” It’s a handy list. Ah, but what scores do these econo-sedans get from published critics? Glad you asked:
2009 Kia Optima, $17,495. Score on MotorMouths: 77
