Although not an Acura, I came from a CaddySTS into my TCH, and I also just sold my 97 Paseo (compact). So I can still give you insights about what I miss about luxury performance sedans and going to either the TCH or a compact (in your case, HCH). When we were looking for a car, we also were deciding between the TCH and the HCH.

1) Power - I could step on the gas in the STS, and be at 100mph in a matter of seconds. And the car felt like it was doing 55mph, rev-ing at 3000rpm and not a hint of road or wind noise. While you can hit those speeds in the TCH, it will take a half-minute or so to get to that speed, and you will hear plenty of wind and road noise. In the compact, you might never get to that speed, and if you do, you're going to be hanging onto the steering while for dear life. Doing 75 in my Paseo felt like I was about to fly off the face of the planet. So do I miss the power and handling of my STS? Yes, but the TCH is a capable handling car.

2) Comfort - the STS had 10-way power heated driver seat, and 6-way power heated pass seat. Leather was standard. In the TCH, you can get the leather, and you can get the heated seats, but now the pass power seat (to my knowledge) in the compromise for weight. Even in the standard seats, the TCH is pretty comfortable, but probably not going to be anything like your Acura. And as for the HCH, it will be a huge step down. When I switched between my STS and my Paseo, it was like night and day, and I longed to get back into the STS. In the TCH, I am comfortable enough that I don't miss the STS (although I wish I had that left armrest in the TCH!)

3) Gas - I commute 100 miles every day. With the STS at 23mpg, I had to gas up every third day (4 times every 2 weeks) with premium fuel, so it was costing me about $45 per tank. With the Paseo, I gained some fuel efficiency, but with the smaller tank, I was still filling up every third day with regular gas at $30 per tank. Now with the TCH, I am gassing up every 6th day at $40/tank regular gas. We figure I am saving $2k per year in gas switching from the STS to the TCH as my daily driver. The TCH is the clear winner in this dept.

4) Engine - Have you read all the reviews comparing the Honda hybrid powertrain against the Toyota HSD? They are very different, and will get different driving experiences, so make sure the one you choose fits your needs. Also, the HCH doesn't really get 51mpg as advertised. That is the EPA rating, which is kinda useless measurement for hybrids. Consumer Reports came up with "real-life" 38-40mpg for the HCH, which is actually the same fuel mileage as the TCH. How does such a bigger car get the same mileage as a compact? Again, this is due to the design differences in the two engines.

Figure the $2600 hybrid tax credit if you can get your TCH by the end of the month, and to me it's a no-brainer. We bought the TCH for the increased interior room, knowing this is a car that would last our family a while. Also, for commuting 100 miles per day, the comfort level was far superior in the TCH than the HCH.

Now, if you live in a major city, where parking is at a premium, then having the smaller car might be worthwhile. Also, for cities that give HOV access to hybrid vehicles, the HCH might have the advantage due to it's high EPA fuel rating. Here in CA, only hybrids that get more than 45mpg EPA are allowed to have the HOV stickers, so the HCH and Prius qualify, but the TCH doesn't. Luckily, I don't have HOV lanes on my commute and don't need the stickers, but this is a big reason why Prius are a hot item here in CA.

Hope this helps.

FlopShot