I just sent this email (below) to CR on the article. Comments and/or corrections on it are welcome (good or bad)

I just finished reading your comaprison report of hybrids to all gas and was definitely underwhelmed. As you might guess I am a hybrid owner - 2005 Toyota Prius. While your analysis looks sound on the surface and is accurate as far as it goes, I believe you do us all a disservice by focusing on current hard, known costs only for single drivers. I know that is your primary mission but where miss the boat on the positive cumulative effects of lower CO2, CO, NO, and SO2 on the health of large suburban/urban populations that come from (and could come from) hybrid ownership; and on the reduction in dependency on foreign oil. Please continue below.

The much lower depreciation values mentioned are not what the market is showing either. I would have to pay about 95% as much for my 5 month old 2005 with 12,000 miles on it as I could go buy a new one for. That doesn't sound like more rapid depreciation than an all-gas model to me. Also, shouldn't depreciation be shown as a percentage of initial cost instead of an amount alone? Very misleading to the all-gas side!

To factor in non-dealer service is another miss. If all of the models are under a 3/36 warranty who is going to be concerned about that? I believe it reasonable to also assume that by the time the hybrids start coming off of 3/36 warranties there will be more non-factory service available. Unnecessarily strong to the all-gas side again.

As far as other maintenance costs did you factor in 5000 mile oil changes for the Prius vs. what I assume is 3000 for the Corolla? If this is factored in my apologies but that is a difference of 10 oil changes over 75000 miles and 20 oil changes over 150000 mile.

Finally. What is most unreasonable about this story is the beginning point. Buyers of autos come in millions of shapes and sizes. I think what would serve all buyers (and the country) best is to list "hybrid" as another accessory like you might a V8 instead of a V6 or leather seats instead of cloth. Think about it a moment before you reject it out of hand. If I want a V8 Hemi Dodge 300 with leather seats instead of a V6 300 with cloth seats you show me what the difference in price will be and as a buyer I would decide that the extra 2 cylinders and 150 horsepower are worth "x" current dollars to me or they're not. I don't see the same added price premium, gasoline, maintenance, and insurance cost comparisons on that anywhere - just the initial price. As a buyer I want it or I don't. So you are not really being fair at all - just singling hybrids out for very unspecial treatment.

Alden Bowles
2005 Toyota Prius II HSD