I never even drove a Prius before getting my 05 HCH, but just did a +100 mile trip in a new 06 Prius with NAV..list for over $29K!!! OUCH!!

Pros: seems to get more MPG than my 05, like the creep on electric only at lights. Keyless entry and start/drive was neat. Dont think you get keyless drive on cheaper ones.

Cons: Ugly, noisy, not as smooth riding.

The engine is noisy like a Corolla. 05 HCH engine very quiet.

From my run, I would never have considered the Prius against the Honda.
I have not yet drove an 06 HCH, but hope to soon and may trade for one.

I just rented a 2005 Prius for the second time, this time to compare it to my 2006 HCH. It got much better mileage, averaging 46.2 (computer) when my HCH would get around 39 (computer) on the same route, driven the same way (80 mph highway, which was 90% of the trip, and a small amount of city driving with moderate acceleration). The route just from the rental place to my apartment, all highway, yielded 40 mpg in the Prius and 33.3 in my HCH.

Plus most of the Prius driving was with A/C on accidentally, but it was at a low fan speed, and the tires were at 32 PSI versus 50 PSI on my HCH. However I still feel the HCH is the better car, for me at least, because the Prius' windshield's cowl (bottom) is higher, steering is springier, interior is cheaper, instruments much worse, engine is very loud, dashboard sucks and isn't even in front of you, stock stereo is horrible, etc. Basically its only advantages are the excellent mileage, quicker acceleration, and an electric mode that actually works. Also its turning radius is noticeably smaller.

We pretty much agree on the comparison and also I get around same mileage as you do on your HCH and others I have driven.
My observations are that Honda makes a better quality car and sells less of them, whereas Toyota makes more with less quality, but still makes a very good car.

A thought;

I was also considering the Prius ll along with the HCH ll and could not, for the Life-Of-me get beyond the Prius ll's Dash Layout. I just Do-Not like the Instruments being in the Center of the Dash.

So, like many of us have reported that the Prius l and Prius ll get better FE and especially in the City Stop and Go traffic, I'll stick with the Incoming HCH ll and a more normal approach to the Inside and Outside of the car.

Terry

My thoughts exactly Terry. The speedometer isn't too annoying even though it's not directly in front, but the LCD is in the exact middle of the car and it's not even angled slightly to face the driver.

Sheesh! For 30 Grand, buy an Accord Hybrid and you'll never look back.