The '09 Civic Hybrid I tested was particularly bad: larger gas engine than a Prius, 1/4 as much electric power, so it gets worse mileage, and with so little horsepower you feel like you're putting your life on the line every time you take an on-ramp.
I have a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. When I bought it I considered the Prius as well. I went with the Civic for three main reasons:
- Visibility out the rear
- Better dashboard. I don't like touchscreens in cars. I like the tactile feedback and the subtle hybrid UI in the Civic. The Prius' is too flashy and distracting to me.
- The Civic scored higher with Consumer Reports
I've heard that the Prius doesn't have good steering feedback. No problems with that in the Civic. It handles great. I tear along cloverleaf interchanges. :)
I've been happy with my purchase. I average 44 MPG: from odometer and gas pump readings. My last tank was 47 (mostly highway, cruise control).
The '09 Civic Hybrid I tested was particularly bad: larger gas engine than a Prius, 1/4 as much electric power, so it gets worse mileage, and with so little horsepower you feel like you're putting your life on the line every time you take an on-ramp.
Come, now. I drive on freeways all the time and my Civic does just fine. It can certainly use a little more oomph but I don't feel like I've compromised too much. My car's shitty taillights honestly bother me much more.
The horsepower does become an issue on the San Francisco hills. Then, I just pop it in low gear. It does struggle (maybe it's the CVT more than the low horsepower) but it doesn't happen enough for me to think about it all the time.