Anyone with experience with a 2008 Honda Civic vs. 2008 Prius?

I imagine that on a Prius forum you're likely to get a very one-sided consensus; we're a self-selected group who all bought a Prius. If you're weighing looks vs fuel economy and a few extra features, I'd go with the Prius, but that's me.

Both are good cars and I'm sure you'll like either of them. I think I would be bothered, though, to say about my car, "I bought it for the fuel economy, even though it isn't as good as another comparably-priced car that I could have bought instead"

 

My impression of the Civic that I looked at, was it was smaller and had less interior room then the Prius. I went with the Prius.

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-m...ider-civic-hybrid-why-did-you-pick-prius.html

 

Before I bought the Prius, I compared it to the hybrid Civic. I went with the Prius because of what I think is a better design for the hybrid system (not an issue for you of course, unless you consider the Civic hybrid), the better leg room -- especially in the back seat for my tall teenagers -- and the practicality of the hatchback.

 

Actually that is the same dilemma that I was facing 2 months ago. The EX-L was a bit cheaper and it had really great, responsive handling and was very peppy. Loved the interior styling but was TICKED that the stereo was so crappy. Unless you get the 2 door version, you can't upgrade the stereo. There is some sort of Bass upgrade kit but the forums we checked all said it sucked. I have a long commute each day and having at least a decent stereo was important to me. Also, has NO traction control or Vehicle Stability Control...only ABS. That really gave me pause. So we shopped around with the Corolla (all the bells and whistles I wanted but had NO pickup and handled HORRIBLY compared to the civic....just couldn't stand it). Then we took the Prius out and fell in love. It had all the pep and good handling that the Civic had, along with all the bells and whitles (with VSC and Traction included), good stereo and GREAT gas mileage.

We had been okay at first with just getting the 35+ mileage that the Civic had because it seemed that the savings in gas we thought we might get with the Prius was balanced by the less expensive price of the car. This was factoring in a 40 or 45 mpg scenario for the Prius. Now the Civic would have more emissions so there is the environmental aspect of the argument. So glad we went with the Prius though! I love that I am being better on the environment, I have better safety features than the Civic AND I ended up getting 50 (cold weather) to 57 (warm weather) mpg so the gas savings totally makes up for the increase in price. And it just has such cool gadgets...it's geek paradise for my husband and I

 

Edmunds' Inside Line did a comparison of the two after the Civic was redone ... not '08s, but it's probably a similar comparison. I'd like to see one b/t a Touring Prius and the Civic hybrid though since the Civic is more sporty in general.

Hybrid Comparison Test: 2006 Honda Civic vs. 2005 Toyota Prius

Inside Line: Media Gallery

 

Somebody give him back his $100

 

I found the Pri to be more room inside. I found the Pri to be cooler in function and instruments. I found the Pri to be a better 3 year resale too according to history.

Why would you consider the Honda? old technology, old styling, no price incentive and no 3 year comparability to the Pri.

Face it- The Pri is a one of a kind car and nobody has been able to equal it yet!

 

You can always buy prettier wheels for the Pri. I however think the std wheels are nice once you take off the Fisher Price plastic rings!

 

The stock alloy wheels come w/these somewhat strange plastic rings that go along the outside. Prius Wheel Trim has pictures with them on (by default) and removed.

 

I never know there is a trim rings. :biggrin1: I only has my prius 2 weeks. However, i did notice the "plastic" feel when i check my tire pressure. I was thinking what was that... plastic, though i didnt believed the ? I thought the whole trim is like that trim is plastic

 

The standard Prius trim rings pop right off revealing the nice alloy wheels in all their glory. I like the look. Some think that the rings enhance the aerodynamics of the wheel at highway speed. Others say that they help fend off curb scrapes. I say eh.

The touring Prius wheels come with complete plastic wheel covers. If I had a touring I think I'd take these off also. The wheels underneath have a dark, dangerous looking finish :_> but they do benefit from the small Toyota logo hubcaps (are these optional on a touring?).

My GF bought an '07 Civic with 5-speed manual (and it took a while for find one). It's really pretty nice for an old technology car.

 

Okay, I'll admit it...I always look at the new Civic and say, wow, what a beautiful car!

then I hop in my Prius, thinking of my $30 fillups and say "what a beautiful car!"

Not that the Prius is unattractive, but I do like the Civic look. And the Prius hatchback is a must. And, bar none, the HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) is tops in car tech right now...really the past 10 years!

 

I happen to really like the look of the Prius. I think it's neat that it looks "different" and that its form is governed by attaining great aerodynamics and interior space. However, you spend the majority of your time inside the car (as opposed to outside it looking at it). Who cares what it looks like if you usually can't see it?

 

I did consider the Honda Civic Hybrid. I drove both cars on city streets and on the freeway. This is my opinion on the deficiencies:

Honda Civic Hybrid - smaller interior with no fold-down rear seats, limited exterior colors which, in my opinion, are dull & bland, interior colors are terrible (ivory, looks yellow, or dark blue seats with very light, almost off white, door panels and seat backs, & mileage not on par with the Prius.

Toyota Prius - needs telescoping steering wheel.

I just bought a 2008 Barcelona Red Prius with Option Package #3 since I was not interested in leather seats or the Toyota Nav System (I have a Garmin). I have now driven the car 410 miles and I am very pleased. The telescoping steering wheel, which the Honda Civic has, would be a nice improvement. The Prius replaces a 2005 PT Cruiser Limited Edition turbo which got 19.5 mpg in town and 24 mpg on trips. The Prius is larger and much quieter than the PT Cruiser. So far the Prius average MPG is 47.6.
I hope my comments help anyone who hasn't decided on a Civic Hybrid or Prius. Buy the Prius. You won't be disappointed.