Consumer Reports Rates Honda and Toyota Tops Overall

Toyota Prius is Most Recent to Get CR Stamp of Approval

Who said that if something is good for you that it can't be fun? Toyota has debunked that myth with the 2004 Prius, and along with changing perceptions the eco-friendly family car has won almost every award it could.

Consumer Reports has rated the 2004 Toyota Prius number one in a test of five affordable family vehicles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

In its May 2004 issue even Consumer Reports, recognized as one of the most unbiased publications in the United States, has rated the most recent version "Very Good" overall in a test of five affordable family vehicles. The Prius achieved 5.4 L/100 km (44 mpg) overall in the magazine's fuel economy tests, the best results ever recorded by Consumer Reports for a 5-passenger vehicle.

And which cars were up against the new Prius? Only base four-cylinder versions of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, Mitsubishi Galant, and Dodge Stratus were on trial, along with the new 6-cylinder Suzuki Verona. From this list CR is only recommending the Toyota Prius.

"The 2004 version of the Prius is a considerable step up from the first generation." (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

This test is nothing new for Consumer Reports of course, with the magazine having recently tested and scored fifteen new family cars in the USD$25,000 or less category. Of these, the Prius rates 6th overall, bested by Honda's 4-cylinder Accord that rated first overall.

"The 2004 version of the Prius is a considerable step up from the first generation, with a spacious interior, quicker acceleration, improved gas mileage, and cleaner emissions, all for about the same price," stated David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut. "However, if your needs require a well-rounded family sedan, there are several models, including the 4-cylinder versions of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda6 and Nissan Altima, that have scored better overall in our tests and are similarly priced."