SmartEnergyViews

Been out shopping for a hybrid this weekend. Think we've narrowed it down to the Honda Civic Hybrid or the Toyota Prius.

(Eliminated the Camry Hybrid early on because of higher price and lower MPG, but they've got a nice one with leather, moonroof, and all the toys which they claim gets 40 MPG in the city but user reports say otherwise. Plus, it's about $33K. You can't get the Altima hybrid here yet, but it's positioned about the same as the Camry.)

Prius pros: Hatchback, fold-down seats give more cargo capacity and greater convenient. Runs more on electric motor. Higher EPA mileage rating (EPA 60/51, user reported avg. 44). Slightly better acceleration. Slightly roomier in the back seats.

Prius cons: Ugly. Goofy touch screen to control most everything in the cockpit. I want to drive my car, not program it. Goofy startup procedure and gear shifting. Did I mention ugly?

Civic Hybrid pros: Looks and functions more like a "normal" car. Handles great, better ride, more fun to drive. Better layout and operation of cockpit functions and controls. Better visibility out the rear window for backing up.

Civic Hybrid cons: Smaller trunk capacity and no fold-down seats. Slightly less room in the back seat. (And no cupholders!) ICE motor runs more frequently, slightly less MPG (EPA 49/51, user reported avg. 43). Not quite as peppy. (Although neither car will be winning any drag races any time soon.)

Pricing is about the same for base models at around $23K. One difference, though, is that the Civic Hybrid has no options except navigation system, and the base model is nicely equipped. With the Prius, you can get leather seats, navigation, comfort packages, etc. etc. You can also run the price up over $30K. (Sorry, ain't no way I'm paying that.) One other nice option for the Prius is the backup video camera, but on the other hand you almost need it because of the poor view out the rear window.

I like the Civic Hybrid because of handling, ride, and "normal car" styling and operation. The Mrs. likes the techno-geek factor of the Prius, and we both like the hatchback/fold-down seats.

(P.S. Can't compare stereos. The Civic has an adequate to nice system that is XM and Aux/I-Pod ready. So does the Prius, but apparently they can't leave some fuse in because the battery will run down and the salesman was too lazy to install it so we didn't get to hear the stereo or work the $5K option package navigation system. Advantage: Honda sales person.)