MotorWeek face-off: Prius, Insight, Fusion, Jetta TDI, A3 TDI & Smart

1SICKLEX · 09-08-09, 10:42 PM

MotorWeek TV and Cars.com Feature Fuel Economy Face-Off
Prius, Insight, Fusion, Jetta TDI, Audi A3 TDI and Smart ForTwo Put to the Test

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- MotorWeek, television's longest running automotive series, and Cars.com, a leading online automotive shopping destination, have teamed up for the Power & Economy Drive to determine which shade of green makes the most sense for consumers. The Power & Economy Drive is featured on MotorWeek episode 2902 which begins airing on PBS Saturday, September 12 (check local listings).

"We hear a lot about fuel economy these days, but we wanted to know which cars deliver fuel efficiency without compromising power and performance" said John Davis, MotorWeek host and executive producer. "MotorWeek, and members of Cars.com's editorial staff, got behind the wheel of three hybrids, two clean turbocharged diesels and a compact car to find out what's behind the fuel economy numbers."

MotorWeek and Cars.com took six cars with the highest government fuel economy ratings to the mountains of Western Maryland for a typical weekend family outing. The gas sippers tested were the 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Honda Insight, 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2010 Audi A3 TDI, and the 2009 Smart ForTwo.

Each car was equipped with a data recorder for monitoring driving and engine performance. The cars were put through the paces, covering 500 miles of extremely challenging terrain over three days, with one car reigning supreme in terms of overall comfort, performance, handling and of course, fuel economy.

"We found the Prius, in the end, offered a really top-notch interior, a peppy ride and great mileage," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of Cars.com. "There were several close competitors, but the Prius's new look and frugal ways won us over."

The full report airs on MotorWeek episode 2902. Here are the results of the MotorWeek and Cars.com Power & Economy Drive by the numbers:

Car Type Drive mpg /EPA mpg
--- ---- --------- -------
1. 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid 49.2 /50.0
2. 2010 Honda Insight hybrid 40.5 /41.0
3. 2010 Audi A3 TDI diesel 38.2 /34.0
4. 2009 VW Jetta TDI diesel 36.2 /34.0
5. 2009 Smart ForTwo gasoline 35.3/ 36.0
6. 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid 32.9 /39.0

http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20090...8092009-1.html

TRDFantasy · 09-08-09, 11:13 PM

New Prius tops once again ... contrary to critical belief, no midsize car that competes with the Prius can currently match it in fuel economy.

Allen K · 09-08-09, 11:20 PM

Fusion's showing was a bit of a bummer, but the A3 TDI is looking good! I saw one on the road with some large TDI decals on the road a few weeks back and it looks good in person

mmarshall · 09-09-09, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen K

Fusion's showing was a bit of a bummer, but the A3 TDI is looking good! I saw one on the road with some large TDI decals on the road a few weeks back and it looks good in person

IMO, there's NOTHING bummer about a Fusion Hybrid. It is a superb car......one of the best I've reviewed recently, although the bright-colored circus dash-instruments are a little gaudy. Considering the Fusion's size and weight (much larger than a Prius or Insight), that's excellent mileage.

SLegacy99 · 09-09-09, 06:59 AM

I'd take a 33 MPG Fusion.

The G Man · 09-09-09, 07:03 AM

The Fusion is a bigger car than the Prius, if I want a family sedan, the Fusion would be my choice too. If I wanted a personal fun car that gets good mileage, then the A3 is a much better choice than the prius, and dont forget, the Prius is useless in the snow.

Och · 09-09-09, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The G Man

The Fusion is a bigger car than the Prius, if I want a family sedan, the Fusion would be my choice too. If I wanted a personal fun car that gets good mileage, then the A3 is a much better choice than the prius, and dont forget, the Prius is useless in the snow.

Im not sure that A3 will be much more fun than the Prius, and AWD is optional on the Audi.

The G Man · 09-09-09, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Och

Im not sure that A3 will be much more fun than the Prius, and AWD is optional on the Audi.

I think a tricycle is more fun than the Prius

If you ever drive a A3, you will agree with me that it’s a lot of fun to drive. You can really tossed the A3 around a corner, much like the mini cooper.

Och · 09-09-09, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The G Man

I think a tricycle is more fun than the Prius

If you ever drive a A3, you will agree with me that it’s a lot of fun to drive. You can really tossed the A3 around a corner, much like the mini cooper.

I haven't driven the new prius, but if its in any way handles similar to the HS250, you will be surprised. The HS I drove had amazing handling.

Allen K · 09-09-09, 08:29 AM

Just checked the Audi website and there is no quattro available with the A3 TDI, FWD only. Are they going to be bringing it over later?

The G Man · 09-09-09, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Och

I haven't driven the new prius, but if its in any way handles similar to the HS250, you will be surprised. The HS I drove had amazing handling.

I havent driven the HS yet but we have 2 08 Prius at work and they pretty much drive like a Corolla, so I dont expect the new one to drive much differently.

TRDFantasy · 09-09-09, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The G Man

I think a tricycle is more fun than the Prius

If you ever drive a A3, you will agree with me that it’s a lot of fun to drive. You can really tossed the A3 around a corner, much like the mini cooper.

Really? I guess you haven't seen/read the reviews for the Gen 3 Prius over in Europe. European car mags and car shows actually *like* the handling of the new Prius, so that should tell you how much of an improvement it is over the Gen 2 in terms of being fun.

Useless in snow? Not so sure about it. The new Prius has more torque than the old model, and torque always helps in snow. I can't imagine the Prius being any more useless in snow than a typical 4 cylinder Honda. I've driven torque-less Hondas in snow, and they are quite close to useless.

nthach · 09-09-09, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDFantasy

Useless in snow? Not so sure about it. The new Prius has more torque than the old model, and torque always helps in snow. I can't imagine the Prius being any more useless in snow than a typical 4 cylinder Honda. I've driven torque-less Hondas in snow, and they are quite close to useless.

Even a Huffy has a better time in the snow than a Honda.

The G Man · 09-09-09, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDFantasy

Really? I guess you haven't seen/read the reviews for the Gen 3 Prius over in Europe. European car mags and car shows actually *like* the handling of the new Prius, so that should tell you how much of an improvement it is over the Gen 2 in terms of being fun.

Useless in snow? Not so sure about it. The new Prius has more torque than the old model, and torque always helps in snow. I can't imagine the Prius being any more useless in snow than a typical 4 cylinder Honda. I've driven torque-less Hondas in snow, and they are quite close to useless.

Maybe you are right, maybe Toyota and Lexus have finally gotten sick of hearing reviewer making fun of their handling. I know that the new RX handles a bit better, maybe the new Prius does too. Never the less, compare a Prius' handling to a Audi is pretty much a joke.
Torque means nothing in the snow if there is no traction. The Prius with those low roll resistance tires will not do very good in the snow.

mmarshall · 09-09-09, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRDFantasy

Really? I guess you haven't seen/read the reviews for the Gen 3 Prius over in Europe. European car mags and car shows actually *like* the handling of the new Prius, so that should tell you how much of an improvement it is over the Gen 2 in terms of being fun.

I respect the mag's opinion, but I have to disagree. The 2Gen Prius, in my experience, with its tall, skinny tires, soft suspension, narrowness, and relatively high center of gravity, had classic Roly-Poly handling and slow steering response. I reviewed a 2010 3Gen Phase V model, the top-of-the-line model with the most aggressive tire/suspension combo, and the handling and steering response didn't seem much better at all. What's more, sheet metal and interior-material quality took a nose dive from the 2Gen to the 3Gen model.

Unfortunately, the new Honda Insight isn't any better overall. Its sheet metal and interior plastics are a little more solid than those of the Prius, and it handles a little better, but the back seat/headroom is basically for children, and its jerky hybrid drivetrain cannot match that of the more efficient, refined, and smoother Prius.