Mar
Which hybrid car is better?
Answer:
Both are great cars. Nothing wrong with either choice. Take both for a test drive, and see which one fits you better.
Other than size (Civic is a compact, Prius is a larger midsize) and styling, be aware that both hybrid choices are different. Honda's IMA is primarily a gasoline engine with electric assist (the newer HCH II has little electric-only propulsion), while Toyota's HSD is a full hybrid design that can be gasoline, electric, or a combination of the two. Some people like the simplicity of one hybrid design over another, but that's a personal choice. Same goes for the instrumentation gages in the HCH vs. the touchscreen in the Prius.
Pricing wise, I'd say go with the Prius.
Toyota Prius, starting at $21,100: http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/
Honda Civic Hybrid, starting at $22,600:
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybri…
(even the US federal income tax credit for this Honda doesn't make up the initial price difference…)
Hybrids do cost less in the long term than their conventional counterparts. (Intellichoice used a 5 year ownership comparison in 2006) See http://www.intellichoice.com/press/Hybri… and http://www.intellichoice.com/carBuying10…
While Consumer Reports in 2006 only found the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid would pay off within the same 5 year frame. The Honda Accord Hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Lexus RX400h, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid were also studied. (I'll note that there was a mathematical error in the initial publication of Consumer Reports' hybrid vehicle cost analysis, which a retraction was published later…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11637968/ ) Since this publication, many more hybrid models have become available, so I can't use this to say about hybrids "in general." However, in the US, the Toyota hybrids have sold so many that they no longer qualify for the US Federal hybrid vehicle income tax credit, but Honda and others still have theirs.
Check out the April issue of Consumer Reports if you want reliability information. Both the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius make their best bets for new cars and for used cars.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/…
07/overview/0704_top-picks-2007.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/…
worst-406/index.htm
and the Prius was just rated top Green Car for the 5th year in a row: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/…
In the US, hybrid models (like the Prius and HCH II) tend to be the best in fuel economy in their respective classes, using the same testing procedure to compare all cars (hybrid/gasoline/diesel/flex-fuel/etc.), and that is for BOTH highway and city driving: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/best…
The Prius and Honda Civic are also in Kelley Blue Book's 2007 Best Resale Value Awards:
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/ReviewsAndRatings…
(Though the Prius was dropped in the 2008 list…)
The Prius is also in edmunds' used cars best bets list as well, and their lowest true cost to own list (2007 and 2008). http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestbet/a…
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/tco/2007/…
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/tco/2008/…
Both the Prius and HCH are great cars. But, only you can decide which will work out best for you. Take both for a test drive, and see which one you like better, which you like the seating better, and/or like the available options better… Do you prefer a sedan (Honda Civic Hybrid), or do you like a hatchback (Toyota Prius)? Is a compact OK with you (Honda Civic Hybrid), or would you prefer a larger midsized vehicle (Toyota Prius)? If you want a manual transmission, then you'll have to look for a used HCH. Do you want to show off that you have a hybrid or not? The Prius is only available as a hybrid and its distinctive aerodynamic design gives it away, while the HCH blends in and looks like most every other Civic on the road…
Answer:
I like the looks of the Civic but the Prius is all around a better car for the mileage.
Answer:
A buddy bought the Civic because he said it was more like a regular car. The prius was too small on the inside for him.
Answer:
Prius
Answer:
Prius
Answer:
Honda Civic Prius is ugly
Answer:
Who cares, wait for the Honda FCX to come out.
Answer:
Toyata prius
Answer:
Prius…several of my friends have both and the Prius cost more but is a better ride.
Answer:
prius is a better car
but i choose civic
Answer:
none, am not a anti global warming propaganda guy, but hybrid cars and stupid, the prius actually averages about 40mpg where as a Gd diesel will do 55 so dont bother with a hybrid becos ur actually hurting the planet more lol
Answer:
When it comes yo pollution output, both are good, but the Prius puts out only about a 10th oh the Honda's. This is more than countered by how much pollution is created while making the car, which is significantly higher than regular cars.
Another cool factor the Prius has over the Civic. The Toyota is a true Hybrid, which means it can run on gas or electric or both. The Honda can only run as a gas or gas electric combination, it never actually runs on electricity alone. This means the Prius can go into what owners in the Prius owners groups call stealth mode. It will run on Electricity alone, making the car incredibly silent, so if you want to sneak up on friends in a parking garage the Prius makes this easier.