The 2006 HCH does not have a true electric-only mode; it's an assist hybrid. The motor is technically capable of propelling the car without the engine, but the car is programmed specifically not to let it (unless you're totally out of gas); at most you can only run the motor at around 30% power, but even that is really difficult to do. And to do that, your eyes have to be glued to the gauges. A Prius, on the other hand, has a true EV mode and you don't have to look at the dashboard at all to stay in it (or to know when you're in it, for that matter).