When it comes to hybrid sedans, two vehicles have dominated the market for years: the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid. While they share many similarities, they also have significant differences. Which model should you buy? Let's compare the main features.

Price.

Price is one of the surprisingly unimportant factors: in 2011, the Civic Hybrid was priced at $24,050, while the Toyota Prius was priced at $22,120.

A $2,000 difference is not negligible, but it should not be the most important consideration.

Details and Specifications

The Toyota Prius uses two twin motors and a four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine. The Prius can also run on electricity alone, but it generally uses a combination of gas and electricity.

The Civic Hybrid, on the other hand, has a motor placed between the continuously variable transmission and the engine. The Civic Hybrid's engine must run continuously, and it cannot be shut down and run purely on electricity.

The Civic's engine is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 110 horsepower.

Overall Look and Feel

The Civic Hybrid has a more angular and powerful appearance compared to the Toyota Prius. The Prius has a smoother look with a touch of elegance.

The Prius has a very futuristic feel inside the car. When you are in a Prius, you certainly feel like you are in a car of the future.

The hybrid, on the other hand, feels like a normal car inside, except for the dashboard. The dashboard will tell you exactly how much power you are using with a simple interface.

Driving Experience.

As a rule of thumb, the Toyota Prius system is very responsive. The only complaint from customers is that the steering and braking are "too smooth. This smoothness could take away from the excitement of driving, but it does not.

The Civic Hybrid, on the other hand, has a very impressive ride quality. The steering and braking are highly responsive and feel like silk. The only drawback is that acceleration from 0 to 30 is quite sluggish.

Your choice.

Test driving both the Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius is the best way to make a choice.

In many cases, the choice is more emotional than logical. Looking at the technical specifications, both cars are really similar.

Which car appeals to you more when you actually test drive it? Which car's handling do you like better? How about the interior interface? What about the exterior design?

You will never be forced to make a decision. Always enter the dealership with the bill and be careful not to pay more than the bill. If possible, get a quote on the Internet before you go to the dealer.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is in no way meant to replace the advice of a professional. Please ensure to fact check and acquire professional help regarding all information on this website.