Even though you're recapturing some of your energy into the battery when you slow down, you're still losing net energy - not all of that kinetic energy gets converted into electrical energy with 100% efficiency. So, whether you drive a Prius or a Civic, losing momentum unnecessarily wastes energy. You may be right that Prius' stealth mode is slightly less wasteful when it comes to getting that momentum back.

When it comes to The Game of raising that little blue number (in my HCH), every little thing that causes me to gratuitously lose momentum frustrates me so much! Coyote really gave voice to a few of my newfound pet peeves.

Another pet peeve: summer heat! It kills me to blast my AC and watch my mpg drop, but it kills me even more to sit and bake.