Well, I think I'm ready to take the plunge into the Green eco-friendly driving world (and save myself some $green$ in the process BTW).

Anyway, I've test-driven both the Prius and HCH and I'm pretty impressed with both. I like the HCH's gadgetry a bit better (Nav system, etc.) and the Prius' handling a bit better. But there's only so much I can tell on a test drive, so hopefully I can get a little bit of feedback from those who have a bit more experience with Hybrids, and have driven more than a test drive.

Here's my typical use for the car: I drive to/from work approximately 18 miles each way every day in Atlanta traffic. This means about 5 miles of side streets at roughly 15-35 miles per hour, with plenty of stop-and-go for the first couple of miles. Then I get on the Interstate for another 12 miles or so, and generally average 20-40 miles per hour with the typical weirdness in large-metro traffic (some days with lots of stops on the Interstate, and some days with clear traffic & 60 miles per hour+). Finally, another mile or so on side streets with pretty light traffic.

I need decent visibility for merging / changing lanes, and like a car I can maneuver and park easily (I currently drive & love a Hyundai Elantra for that reason). With that said, I have two children - one big (14) and one small (3), so the car has to be roomy enough for a car seat and a teenager in back. Finally, gadgets are actually pretty important to me - I'm stuck in the car for 2+ hours a day, so things like XM, cupholders and Nav systems are important if they help make those two hours more comfortable and keep me sane.

With that background, do any of you see any reason why I should pick one over the other given my driving habits & lifestyle?

The Prius is more versatile...the Civic Hybrid has more comfortable seats. I chose the versatility and installed lumbar in my Prius. Hands down HSD in the Prius is superior to the Civic Hybrid system. Personal opinion, of course. Choose what feels right and you won't go wrong!

'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.

The Prius is a bit-quite a bit-quicker, it has more room for hauling stuff,and it is easier for older folks to get in and out of.It also gets -25% somewhat better city mpg when driven by a casual driver(CR's numbers, are 28 vs 35 I think)not mine.On the hy it is about 47 vs 50mpg.CR's numbers will bring a howl from HCH2 partisans, of course.The numbers here are very close, but HCH2 drivers are much more fanatic than Prius drivers.Everyone will agree that they both do very well, but the Prius has an edge.It is easier to get good city mpg with a Prius.We(my 21 yo son mainly) drive it like a normal car with no thought to mpg,and we get 43+ mpg city, and 50mpg at 65-70 miles per hour on the highway.
The HCH2, is less expensive(but pretty close), it has a generally more sporting ride,and Honda is a more likeable company in many respects.The Dealers of course are about equal for both.They usually try to pry every last penny out of you.
If you plan to haul several kids with kids "stuff" the Prius is probably a bit better.If you haul older folks-50+-they will prefer the Prius(wait until you hit 55,and you will understand!)
Luck,
Charlie
PS-I don't dislike Honda-we own one-great cars! In general I like Honda more than Toyota.Honda went with the side-side curtain airbags in all their vehicles, while Toyota goes with overpriced , high profit margin BS like fancy stereos -bluetooth whatever etc.I prefer to buy Honda, but the Prius is better all around vehicle.
PPS-The Honda is easier to get a good rear view when backing up-the rear camera in the Prius isn't a substitute for turning around and taking a look when backing up. This is because Toyota went for max HIGHWAY mpg and the low-.26 cd.It is a fair trade, but you have to pivot to back up.

OK - Prius wins - two posts from two Prius owners....

The Civic is also a decent choice - priced a bit lower than the Prius and just as roomy for the driver - Im 6'3"-285 and fit fine with 2 inch head room. Getting 53mpg ave with mostly highway driving - where the civic can do very well. In fact, planning to take my two daughters and Wife next week Columbus-Chicago and back for just over a tank of gas (~14 gal).

Have owned Hondas (two Accords) and a Toyota (Celica) in the past and reliability both excellent.

- You may want to ask if you can test drive for part/full day. This way you can see how it would really do on your commute.

I don't know if I can be of any help here, but perhaps by owning both cars I can come accross as less biased towards any one car.

I've attached a red flag for Prius and a blue for HCH, in the end just add them up.

Now, if you count the reds and the blues you'll think it looks like a draw, right? Even if one won over the other by 1 point it would still be too close to call.

On your driving regimen (with quite a bit of stop and go) I feel the Prius would be the superior choice. If you had more highway driving than you indicated then I would elect the HCH-2 as the superior vehicle.
In your climate, the Prius has a measurable fuel economy edge. On mine it is the reverse, and as such my Prius is just dragging its weight with a thristier gas engine since EV is non-existant in extreme cold.

Unlike some of our friends in this forum, I believe both cars are about equal. They both achieve approximately the same results with reasonably different technical approaches... and it really depends on one's preferences, lifestyle and driving regimen.

They are both great cars and you would be well served by choosing either of the two.

Cheers;


MSantos

Well, I was test-driving a HCH last night again and the dealer dropped me an offer I couldn't refuse ... just over $22K for a new Nav-equipped HCH, tax tag & title all in (under $21K without tax & tags).

Since I already had great outside financing in-hand before I walked in the door (and after I picked my jaw up off the floor) I couldn't pass that up. So the HCH won due to cost.

Thanks for the feedback and I guess I'm now officially a member of the club.

You bought a great car at a good price. Congrats

Wow.... Congratulations !!!!

That was indeed a VERY good price, I can see why you grabbed it.

What color is it? (Not that it matters that much since there are only 5 and they all park at same side of the rainbow.)

Also, please drop by the HCH-II forum whenever you get a chance. You'll find info there that will last you for many weeks.

You may also want to drop by www.cleanMPG.com. The folks there are great and you'll find some of the current best advice for your HCH-II ( & Prius too) there, all in very non-partisan atmosphere.


Cheers;

MSantos

Great price,great car-you can't beat that!!Your car was going for about $26000+ not so long ago, and with gas on the way up, we can expect the hybrid deals to drop off at $3.50+/gal.
Luck,
Charlie

Galaxy Gray Metallic, my first choice. But you're right - they're all pretty normal, which is okay since I don't like looking like an Easter Egg... lol