Consumer Reports Trash-Talks 2012 Scion iQ, While Toyota Expresses "Surprise"

[cawimmer430]

*Shakes Head*

Dear Toyota, when Consumer Reports asks for $ 10,000,000, YOU PAY THOSE $ 10,000,000 or else your cars will get slammed. Everyone knows this! 


Consumer Reports Trash-Talks 2012 Scion iQ, While Toyota Expresses "Surprise"

Just the Facts:

Consumer Reports blasted the 2012 Scion iQ in a recent review, leading a spokesman for the Toyota youth brand to express "surprise" when asked for a reaction by Inside Line.
Consumer Reports said the iQ "is not such a smart choice" and criticized it for a "buckboard ride, constant din and pokey acceleration."
"Scion read the Consumer Reports article and was surprised by their opinion, as the iQ has received impressive feedback from many other automotive media," wrote Scion spokesman Craig Taguchi wrote in response to an e-mail query.


YONKERS, New York ? Consumer Reports blasted the 2012 Scion iQ in a recent review, leading a spokesman for the Toyota youth brand to express "surprise" when asked for a reaction by Inside Line.

Consumer Reports said the iQ "is not such a smart choice" and criticized it for a "buckboard ride, constant din and pokey acceleration." It said the iQ is the "second-lowest scoring car in our ratings."

David Champion, senior director for Consumer Reports' Automotive Test Center, said on the magazine's Web site that "while the iQ's fuel economy is good within its class, it requires drivers to endure a lot of trade-offs just to save at the pump. Its $16,205 sticker price is no bargain either."

The 2012 Scion iQ returns 36 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

"Scion read the Consumer Reports article and was surprised by their opinion, as the iQ has received impressive feedback from many other automotive media," wrote Scion spokesman Craig Taguchi in response to an e-mail query from Inside Line.

Taguchi added, "The iQ is intended to meet the needs of a particular driver who puts a high value on maneuverability, easy parking and economical operation in a congested urban setting. With the highest combined mpg of any non-hybrid vehicle, the iQ excels in these attributes in an innovative package that is both fun and versatile. Most importantly, we have heard great feedback from many happy iQ owners and expect to hear from more."

It took Toyota nearly two days to craft a response to the negative review of the Scion iQ by Consumer Reports.

Inside Line says: Scion iQ shoppers will have to weigh the merits of both sides in this mini brouhaha.




Link: http://www.insideline.com/scion/iq/2012/consumer-reports-trash-talks-2012-scion-iq-while-toyota-expresses-surprise.html

[Raza]

37 highway is not enough to justify the cost and trade-offs, I agree. 

[cawimmer430]

37 highway is not enough to justify the cost and trade-offs, I agree. 

An Avalon Hybrid gets 40 mpg according to Edmunds.

Amazing how cars like the iQ or Smart Fortwo get such crappy mileage. Well in Europe the diesel Smart ForTwo always gets great gas mileage but the gas version blows.

[nickdrinkwater]

I don't think the point of the IQ to save money though, well obviously it isn't

[ifcar]

I don't think the point of the IQ to save money though, well obviously it isn't

Yup. Consumer Reports testing is a numeric score, and ease of parking is not one of the calculations.

And CR hasn't praised a subcompact Toyota in many years -- the Prius c and the past and present Yaris generations also scored poorly with them. I think they're still calling the Scion xD "good but not great," though.

[Raza]

An Avalon Hybrid gets 40 mpg according to Edmunds.

Amazing how cars like the iQ or Smart Fortwo get such crappy mileage. Well in Europe the diesel Smart ForTwo always gets great gas mileage but the gas version blows.

How can a Lupo get 55-60mpg and something like this get 37?  People said the CRZ didn't get good enough gas mileage, but it gets the same, and that's at least supposed to be fun. 

[ifcar]

How can a Lupo get 55-60mpg and something like this get 37?  People said the CRZ didn't get good enough gas mileage, but it gets the same, and that's at least supposed to be fun. 

Is the Lupo diesel and manual? Both of those make a huge difference. I imagine it's also a lot slower than the iQ, which has a 0-60 in the 10s.

[nickdrinkwater]

How can a Lupo get 55-60mpg and something like this get 37?  People said the CRZ didn't get good enough gas mileage, but it gets the same, and that's at least supposed to be fun. 

That sounds like a comparison between UK and US MPG.  If we're talking UK MPG then yes the Lupo 3L will do those MPGs but the IQ will be in the 40s at least

Also the Lupo 3L is much more compromised car, if you compare a gasoline Lupo they will be pretty similar.  The CRV is a hybrid so it would be fair to expect better economy out of it

The Yaris hybrid will be more economical I think, the only reason to choose the IQ would be to make a "style statement" as really no-one needs a car smaller than a Yaris

[Raza]

Is the Lupo diesel and manual? Both of those make a huge difference. I imagine it's also a lot slower than the iQ, which has a 0-60 in the 10s.

First point of clarification is that it's a Polo, not a Lupo, my mistake. 

It is a 1.4L three cylinder diesel.  0-62.5 is 12.8 seconds so it is slower, but once you break 10 seconds, it's not really that much slower, you know?  8 to 10 is a lot slower, but 10 to 12 probably doesn't feel that much slower.

But take the CRZ.  Sure, it's more expensive and has fewer seats.  The CVT is 35/39 and the manual is 31/37.  Okay, as I'm typing this, it's not the best comparison, I just like the CRZ.

[Raza]

That sounds like a comparison between UK and US MPG.  If we're talking UK MPG then yes the Lupo 3L will do those MPGs but the IQ will be in the 40s at least

Also the Lupo 3L is much more compromised car, if you compare a gasoline Lupo they will be pretty similar.  The CRV is a hybrid so it would be fair to expect better economy out of it

The Yaris hybrid will be more economical I think, the only reason to choose the IQ would be to make a "style statement" as really no-one needs a car smaller than a Yaris

I believe the UK is like 75-80mpg, isn't it?  I did a quick and dirty conversion in my head.

[93JC]

An Avalon Hybrid gets 40 mpg according to Edmunds.

Wait wait wait.


Toyota still makes the Avalon? And they make a hybrid? When the hell did this happen?

[Xer0]

How can a Lupo get 55-60mpg and something like this get 37?  People said the CRZ didn't get good enough gas mileage, but it gets the same, and that's at least supposed to be fun. 

I really don?t know any measurements off the top of my head so I?m just making this up, but the iQ looks really really tall and flat.  Maybe the aerodynamics of it suck which is why it gets a shitty hwy rating?

[ifcar]

Wait wait wait.


Toyota still makes the Avalon? And they make a hybrid? When the hell did this happen?

The Avalon is being redesigned for 2013 and the new model will have a hybrid. The redesign was shown at New York in April; the hybrid was just announced this month.

[Vinsanity]

*Shakes Head*

Dear Toyota, when Consumer Reports asks for $ 10,000,000, YOU PAY THOSE $ 10,000,000 or else your cars will get slammed. Everyone knows this! 

You are aware, of course, that CR has no advertising revenue, and actually buys all of its test cars, right?

[ifcar]

You are aware, of course, that CR has no advertising revenue, and actually buys all of its test cars, right?

You are aware that Wimmer is proud of his ignorance, right?

[cawimmer430]

You are aware that Wimmer is proud of his ignorance, right?

Ignorance? Who can't identify that famous BMW in my guess what car thread?

Who is ignorant now?    

[cawimmer430]

You are aware, of course, that CR has no advertising revenue, and actually buys all of its test cars, right?

Buddy, I was kidding!

It's a running joke on many boards that Toyota bribes their way into CR etc.

[CJ]

Buddy, I was kidding!

It's a running joke on many boards that Toyota bribes their way into CR etc.

But it isn't and never has been funny. 

[2o6]

I really don?t know any measurements off the top of my head so I?m just making this up, but the iQ looks really really tall and flat.  Maybe the aerodynamics of it suck which is why it gets a shitty hwy rating?

Yeah, it's a rolling cube geared for quick city acceleration. It's also why the fortwo gets similarly disproportionate numbers.



My Yaris can likely beat out the iQ in terms of fuel economy.

[cawimmer430]

But it isn't and never has been funny. 

Lighten up!!! 

[CJ]

Lighten up!!! 

After..what, 5 years of CR bashing, I think we're all a little tired of it. 

[Vinsanity]

Buddy, I was kidding!

It's a running joke on many boards that Toyota bribes their way into CR etc.

How many times do we have to say that we're tired of these same old jokes?

And besides, jokes are only funny to begin with if they're based on some generally accepted version of the truth.

[93JC]

The Avalon is being redesigned for 2013 and the new model will have a hybrid. The redesign was shown at New York in April; the hybrid was just announced this month.

lolwut

For the love of God why? I haven't seen a newer one (>2005) in years.

Looked up the sales stats in Canada. Average yearly sales over the last four years: 415. LOL! Worst selling large ("mainstream") car in the country.

[ifcar]

lolwut

For the love of God why? I haven't seen a newer one (>2005) in years.

Looked up the sales stats in Canada. Average yearly sales over the last four years: 415. LOL! Worst selling large ("mainstream") car in the country.

Interesting. It's done decently here -- usually about 2,500 a month, or about half of the LaCrosse volume. Our never-bought car in that class was the Hyundai Azera, which barely moved 1k cars per year for a couple of years before its redesign.

[93JC]

I forgot the Azera existed. Hyundai Canada stopped selling it about three years ago.

EDIT: The most they ever sold in a year here was 932, in 2006. By comparison they sold almost 3,400 Genesises in its first full year.

[Madman]

lolwut

For the love of God why? I haven't seen a newer one (>2005) in years.

Looked up the sales stats in Canada. Average yearly sales over the last four years: 415. LOL! Worst selling large ("mainstream") car in the country.

I forgot the Azera existed. Hyundai Canada stopped selling it about three years ago.

EDIT: The most they ever sold in a year here was 932, in 2006.

This is why I like Canadians.  Such a sensible people!  Up there, the Avalon is the flop is deserves to be and the laughable Azera isn't even available.  I wish my fellow Americans were as smart.

By comparison they sold almost 3,400 Genesises in its first full year.

Oh well, nobody's perfect! 

[Vinsanity]

This is why I like Canadians.  Such a sensible people!  Up there, the Avalon is the flop is deserves to be and the laughable Azera isn't even available.  I wish my fellow Americans were as smart.




Oh well, nobody's perfect! 

Yes, because fewer choices is always a good thing

[Madman]

Yes, because fewer choices is always a good thing

The Azera WAS available in Canada, but nobody bought it because it was a joke.  Like the preceding Hyundai XG, the Azera was a sort of ersatz Korean Buick favoured by Seoul-based professionals because their protectionist government won't allow them to buy anything else.

The Azera is one choice I'd be glad not to have.

[2o6]

The Azera WAS available in Canada, but nobody bought it because it was a joke.  Like the preceding Hyundai XG, the Azera was a sort of ersatz Korean Buick favoured by Seoul-based professionals because their protectionist government won't allow them buy anything else.

The Azera is one choice I'd be glad not to have.

Hon, you drive a Catera.

[Vinsanity]

The Azera WAS available in Canada, but nobody bought it because it was a joke.  Like the preceding Hyundai XG, the Azera was a sort of ersatz Korean Buick favoured by Seoul-based professionals because their protectionist government won't allow them buy anything else.

The Azera is one choice I'd be glad not to have.

Well I'm glad it's offered as a choice here. God forbid my parents drive around in a second-rate captive import masquerading as a Cadillac