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Honda Civic Hybrid vs Toyota Prius

48 messages,  Last post on Sep 01, 2008 at 3:20 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 5

#1 of 48 HCH vs Toyota Prius by jdmcmah

Jan 25, 2007 (7:58 pm)

Hello,
 
I am considering both the HCH and the Prius. In my opinion, they are both great for equal and opposite reasons.
 
I feel as if the HCH has the look and feel of a little sports car. It's got great lines and offers a lot of power and great FE.
 
I feel as if the Prius looks and handles more like an escape pod- but is "smarter". It has an electric only mode and the climate system runs off the electric system- so you're not giving up FE for things like air. Plus it has the 8 year/100k mile warranty on the entire hybrid system- not just the battery.
 
I have gotten two dealers working over-time trying to out bid each other. Between the 500 more I'd get in a tax credit with HCH, and the 3.9% financing I'd get with the Prius, I'm literally saving 13-dollars and some change by getting the Civic.
 
Any owners out there have any insight as to which might be the best value?
 
Thanks!

#2 of 48 Re: HCH vs Toyota Prius [jdmcmah] by pathstar1

Jan 26, 2007 (8:22 am)

Replying to: jdmcmah (Jan 25, 2007 7:58 pm)
I like the looks of the Civic, though the Prius looks cool as well.
 
The Prius is more efficiently designed re usable interior space. It's a "mid-sized" car with an exterior about the same as a "compact car".
 
On paper, the Prius gets better mileage. You'd have to check on Civic boards to see what owners are actually getting. Prius owners get between 40 and 50 MPG depending on how hard they work at it. Winter mileage is worse, of course, as is very hot weather mileage.
 
I think this comparison may boil down to which one -you- feel better in.

#3 of 48 Re: HCH vs Toyota Prius [jdmcmah] by karkus

Jan 26, 2007 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: jdmcmah (Jan 25, 2007 7:58 pm)
They're both great values ! I own a Prius and my coworker an HCH. We get fairly similar MPG (50s in summer, mid-high 40s in winter), and both cars have been very reliable.
 
I think the difference comes down to personal preference and utility :
If you want a more typical looking sedan-type car, get the HCH.
 
If you want more cargo utility, get the Prius. The fold down seats create a cargo space that seems impossibly large. For example, you can put a medium adult mountain bike in the back without even taking the wheels off. Or you can take off wheels and fit 3 bikes in. With the seats up, the Prius also has more legroom in the back.
 
The Prius says "I drive a hybrid". The HCH says "I drive a normal car, that just happens to be a hybrid and gets great mileage". Your choice.

#4 of 48 Re: HCH vs Toyota Prius [jdmcmah] by ukr2

Feb 04, 2007 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: jdmcmah (Jan 25, 2007 7:58 pm)
Toyota offering 0% Financing for 24 months until the end of Feb.
 
Get the Prius.
 
ukr2

#5 of 48 Re: HCH vs Toyota Prius [ukr2] by stevedebi

Feb 05, 2007 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: ukr2 (Feb 04, 2007 2:50 pm)
"Toyota offering 0% Financing for 24 months until the end of Feb.
  
Get the Prius. "
 
Only if you can afford $1000 per month car payments... or have a significant down payment.

#6 of 48 Re: HCH vs Toyota Prius [ukr2] by mbmurphy777

Apr 23, 2007 (9:18 am)

Replying to: ukr2 (Feb 04, 2007 2:50 pm)
There are some significant differences.
 
The Prius is relatively safe, but the HCH is safer (by testing standards).
 
The HCH handles better (I have not driven the Touring Prius, though) and is more stable at highway speed (much higher speeds through slalom courses in tests... again vs. the standard model Prius).
 
The seat in the HCH is more adjustable (goes up and down) and the steering wheel telescopes in and out (very convenient actually).
 
The Prius does seem to get slightly better mileage overall (~42 to ~46 mpg.. about 10% better) but this is more apparent in the city (~40 vs ~48mpg... about 20%). That is based on the new EPA numbers, and it is pretty significant, esp. in the city.
 
The Prius is certainly more cargo friendly (can't fold down seats in HCH) and seems to have more useable interior room (subjectively).
 
HCH tax credits $2100, Prius ~$790.
 
Personally, I'm pretty torn. I do like the better safety, handling (which really translates into even more safety), and the fact that my wife can make adjustments so that the car will fit her better (seat height, steering wheel telescoping). But 20% city mileage (most of what I do) is significant.
 
I think it will come down to the deal I can get and the trade in value the dealer gives me. I will shop around as well.

#7 of 48 hch vs prius by caaz

Jul 04, 2007 (10:00 am)

Which car is QUIETER?

#8 of 48 More HCH vs. PRIUS by 1stpik

Jul 04, 2007 (12:57 pm)

The Prius tax credit likely won't apply this late in the year because Congress limits the full credit to 60,000 units. Once Toyota sells that many, the tax credit gets cut in half. So watch out for that.
 
Honda sells fewer than 60,000 HCHs every year, so every buyer gets the full $2,100 credit.
 
I just purchased the Civic a few months ago. I chose it over the Prius for the extra leg room and because I prefer the Civic's body style.
 
If Toyota has 0% for 24 months, that's pretty good. It would cost you about $950/month. Honda has 2.9% for 36 months. With zero down, it's $650/month. That's what I'm paying on my '07 without the optional navigation system (I didn't think it was worth $2,000).
 
Here's my latest mpg reading:
 
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35956
 
That's mixed city/hwy driving, 65 mph highway speed, a/c all the time, and tires at 36 psi.
 
So you can definitely get EPA rated mileage from the HCH.

#9 of 48 Re: More HCH vs. PRIUS [1stpik] by gagrice

Jul 04, 2007 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: 1stpik (Jul 04, 2007 12:57 pm)
A little correction. The 60,000 in sales is a total for all hybrids sold by the automaker. in the case of Toyota it includes Lexus. Toyota had sold 60,000 early last year so was cut in half in September of 2006, and cut again this Spring. There will be no more tax credits for ToyLex hybrids, either now or after the 1st of September. It is not renewed each year.
 
You are correct that Honda has not sold 60,000 hybrids so they still qualify for the full incentive.

#10 of 48 Re: hch vs prius [caaz] by 46jimbo

Jul 05, 2007 (11:28 am)

Replying to: caaz (Jul 04, 2007 10:00 am)
Which car is quieter?
 
I don't know the Prius, but I own a 2006 HCH. I'm amazed at how quiet the motor is. One would think that a small 1300 cc engine would get very buzzy at high revs. But no, it's incredibly quiet and just purrs like a kitten. The regular Civic lets out a throaty roar when you floor the accelerator, but not the Hybrid.
 
There is, however, a fair amount of road noise that you hear, depending on the type of road surface. Sometimes it's pronounced, other times I don't notice it.

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