I'll go ahead and say the Prius is good for ALL driving.

On the highway it is ALWAYS, persistently keeping the battery charged AND assisting the gas engine, sometimes going into 'stealth' at 60 MPH (gas engine spins, no fuel gets burned). It has passing power when needed, but has frugalness with a light foot. VERY smooth acceleration.

City driving is quiet when in EV mode (below 44 MPH with the right conditions). Typically I can go all EV below 30 MPH in residential areas. The A/C is electric, no belts or engine required...directly. Indirectly the gas engine can run the generator AND the bigger electric motor to move you, or use the battery pack to do BOTH. Amazingly complex, yet simple is what I say.

Plus I've driven the 06 Civic Hybrid and it is not as smooth as the HSD PRius. My opinion, of course.

Plus, ulility. C'mon Honda! I can haul a full-size wheelbarrow, big square boxes, 8' lumber, what ever I need to. The HCH has no folding seats. I love the utility in my EUV (environmental utility vehicle).

I think the Prius has many more options that are simply NOT available at all on the HCH: Smart-key, vehicle stability control, bluetooth...if u opt to 'need' them.

Hands-down, Prius. Plus the plug-in Lithium version in '09. That will be something.

'04 Seaside Pearl #7. Fumoto oil drain, mudflaps, rear bumper scuff protector & rear warn system, compass mirror, EV mode button, 8" subwoofer in right rear cubby & 6" subs under seats, power lumbar in the front seats, Coastaletech hitch w/ Aspen bike/snowboard rack. iPod2car, 2 amps, Alpine component speakers, and DVD video, solid 47 MPG @ 70000 miles.