I owned a 2001 Prius for three years and 58,000 miles of varied driving. I had no complaints or faults with that car. I had it to the summit of Pikes Peak -- 14,110 ft above sea level and acroos the Tallgrass Prairie Park in Oklahoma. That car performed flawlessly aa advertised.

I now have a 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid. Total miles driven at this time is about three thousand. A calculated mpg at 2,269 miles was 44.5 mpg -- within 1 mpg of the in car computation. The last 190 miles the in car computaion is 49.9 mpg equal mix cuty and highway. City being Plano TX. Tire pressure is at 40 psi a + difference of about 2.5 mpg better than at the recommended 35 psi. Side wall max allowable pressure is 51 psi.

Things I miss about the 2001 Prius are 1., Turtning radius radius (20.5ft), center dash mounted instrument cluster ( just behind the windshield), 3.,the seats, 4. being able to drive in stealth ( all electric or golf cart mode).

Things I consider more important and why I now have the Civic: 1. Intercahngeable parts i.e., not having an orphan vehicle for repair purposes.,2.alternate sources of parts other than manufacturer = ease of repair on the raod and in west Dry Gulch Texas. 3. the Civic will run if the Hybrid system is inoperative. 4. gas mileage as good or better than my 2001 Prius on a simpler system of engineering.
, 5. It was available when I wanted a new car.
Things I do not like about the Civic are: 1. The drivers seat feels like granite and 2. th mileage killer -- being able to shift directly from reverse into second gear with out a detent position as an attention getter.
An aside, a daughter who is a police officer and drives about seven to eight hours a shift said the Civic handkles better. Agaijn this is the classic Prius not the 2004 which is an entirely different ball game.
Would I have the Civic if the 2004 Prius was as available as the Honda Civic Hybrid, probably, no.

Am I happy with the Civic -- most definitely

Dealers and sales people Honda way over Toytota at this exchange of vehicles. As with all experiences your mileage may vary.

Nether car is better or worse. They both performed up to expectations of Honda and Toyota automobiles. They are just different.

lfmerrell, Plano TX