You are correct. If one actually does a apples to apples comparison and compares the XLE to the hybrid there is essentially no premium. The 4 cyl is cheaper but slower and the 6 cyl is more expensive but faster. People spend thousands to upgrade engines all the time.

No car is a savings. It all depends on what is important to you.

If you could care less what you drive and want savings, you'd buy a 15 year old CRX HF for $1000 and drive it into the ground.

If you like a comfortable mid-size car with some level of refinement thats cheap to run the TCH is obvious.

The next time you see your friend ask him what the payback period for the $5000 convertible option is!