The take home differences are straight forward Civic vs Prius
The Prius is about 2-3 mpg better- 4%-6% or so-with similarily motivated drivers.This is a tiny difference-14 gallons more per 10,000 miles.
The Prius is about 1.5 seconds quicker 0-60. This is a big difference.The Civic is a 12 second car-slowish.
Price difference is at least $2500-when you figure in the tax credit it is about $2000.THIS IS BIG!
All the Civics come with side side curtain airbags.This is a big difference.With a Prius the bags are usually bundled with some other c _ _ p you won't want.
With the current Prius or the Civic you will reach breakeven miles against all the vehicles you could reasonable compare it to .The last 3 take about 150,000 miles to break even at $3/gal.
4 Cyl LE Camry cost ~$23000-drive off lot
4Cyl LX Accord $21500- 16,000 miles (18-40)
4Cyl LX Civic-$19000 -90,000(25 vs 40)
4 Cyl LE Corolla $19000 90,000 miles (25 vs 40)
4 Cyl Matrix- $21000- about 35000 miles (22 vs 40)
Fit-$18000- at roughly 155,000 miles-at 28 vs 40 mpg overall.
Scion-$17000
Yaris-$17000
Prius $22,850 for PK 4 with $3150 credit($26000 before credit)
H Civic $20500-with $2500 credit.
The Civic reaches breakeven much sooner.It would take the Prius 500,000 miles to break even against the Civic Hybrid.
The Scion,Yaris, and Fit are the small cars that you might favor ,since you figure they are smarter choices.I'm using OTD prices on side side curtain equipped cars, so they aren't the cheapest of their breed.I'm also using New Orleans 9% sales tax.I also use low mpg figures that reflect what I think(guess)I would get using these cars in mainly city driving.
The Matrix is the car closest to the Prius in size,performance, interior volume, but the Prius has more interior length(5"+) behind the front seats.
We-wife,greyhound,me-take long trips (1500 miles one way).We sleep enroute-one drives, one sleeps on an air mattress in the back.The Prius has 70" of length behind the front seats.I fill in the space between the seat back and rear seat top with plywood and foam.This is why interior length is critical for me.The Civic Hybrid,Yaris,and Scion were just too short.The Fit might have worked-60"-but it wouldn't have been as comfortable.
Oh, Phoebe-dog-refuses to take her turn behind the wheel.
If you don't mind the slow accelleration,and don't need the extra room,the Civic wins.These prices all assume you get the $3150 credit on the Prius.
With the credit, the hybrids are great deals.You can buy a Prius for Corolla $$.Luck,Charlie