Verified answer

I've never seen anyone do a cost-benefit analysis for a v4 vs v6 vs diesel engine, so why do one for a hybrid drivetrain? Most cost analysis articles neglect trade-in value which the Toyota Prius does very well in maintaining. (in some areas, used Prius are still selling for near new prices for availability and rising gasoline prices!). Don't forget to include federal and any state tax incentives in your calculation (Consumer Reports forgot, and had to issue a retraction that hybrids are cheaper to own/operate than their gasoline cousins). Edmunds.com still doesn't take into account the true depreciation value (as seen by manually looking for a Prius trade-in value) when calculating their TCO, but they still say that hybrids will pay for themselves even when using their lower than actual trade-in amounts: http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/08/22/bc.autos.hybri...

Hybrids do cost less in the long term than their conventional counterparts. (Intellichoice used a 5 year ownership comparison in 2006) See http://www.intellichoice.com/press/Hybrid-Survey-2... and http://www.intellichoice.com/carBuying101/HypeOver...

While Consumer Reports in 2006 only found the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid would pay off within the same 5 year frame. The Honda Accord Hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Lexus RX400h, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid were also studied.

(I'll note that there was a mathematical error in the initial publication of Consumer Reports' hybrid vehicle cost analysis, which a retraction was published later... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11637968/ )

Since this publication, many more hybrid models have become available, so I can't use this to say about hybrids "in general." However, in the US, the Toyota hybrids have sold so many that they no longer qualify for the US Federal hybrid vehicle income tax credit, but Honda and others still have theirs.

Check out the April issue of Consumer Reports if you want reliability information. The Toyota Prius make their best bets for new cars and for used cars.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/t...

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/...

There is more to vehicle ownership besides initial purchase cost and the amount of gasoline used - there is also the costs to maintain and insure it, and also depreciation costs.

However, the societal costs for emissions are not usually included. The hybrids tend to be at worst an ULEV, with many (like the Prius) an AT-PZEV. Some are only sold in CA-emissions states. (Compare that to the often suggested VW TDIs, which cannot be sold new in CA-emission states because of their poor emissions.) In the US, hybrid models (like the Prius) tend to be the best in fuel economy in their respective classes, using the same testing procedure to compare all cars (hybrid/gasoline/diesel/flex-fuel/etc.), and that is for BOTH highway and city driving: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/bestworstNF.sh...

The Prius is also in Edmunds' used cars best bets list as well, and their lowest true cost to own list.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestbet/articles/in...

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/tco/2007/index.html

Remember that the Toyota Prius is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary this December, so it's hardly new technology!

http://web-cache.stream.ne.jp/www09/toyota/prius/m...

http://www.toyota.com/html/dyncon/2007/september/b...

Maintenance is about the same as a regular car - use your favorite mechanic or DIY. Typically just oil/filter changes and tire rotations.

Toyota scheduled maintenance guides:

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

There's more than enough power for hill climbing. That's what the electric motor is there for - extra assist. Besides, most cars' engines are tuned for the highest likely power that they'll ever need, and so most times they are being very inefficient producing power that you don't need. (cruising on the highway will only need in the 20hp range, for example, so why a 100+ or 200+hp engine?) The Prius' engine is always kept via CVT in its most efficient power band depending on the requested load, and any extra power generated at that RPM is saved to the hybrid battery or used by the electric motor to help assist the car.

Meanwhile, just for some comparisons...

2008 Toyota Prius

midsize (98 cu. ft. passenger volume + 16 cu.ft. cargo volume = 112 cu.ft. interior volume)

48mpg city/45mpg highway/46mpg combined

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2008_Toyota...

2008 MINI Cooper

minicompact (60 cu. ft. passenger volume + 7 cu. ft. cargo volume = 67 cu. ft. interior volume)

fuel economy ranges by trim/engine from 19mpg city/29mpg highway/23mpg combined, to 28mpg city/37mpg highway/32mpg combined

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2008_MINI_C...

I'm not quite sure why you'd be comparing the two models, as they're nowhere near each other in size class! But for the greater interior size and the fuel economy, I'd say go for the Prius! besides, the MINI Cooper requires premium gasoline, adding to your costs (Prius uses regular)...

No ! Had my 2007 Prius for about 1.5 yrs before it all started falling apart. Gas gauge is off by about 2 gal. So I have to always ck my mileage . Car charger stopped working also can no longer charge anything in the car. My car has been stalling also dealer says its the hybrid battery but unless its completely dead they will not replace it free under warranty :( Tire sensor stays on saying tire needs Ir ... They don't it keeps flashing :(.. Door elbow rest broke I was told to replace it they have to replace the whole panel $$$ :( Now having trouble getting car to go into hear after being parked .. I loved the gas mileage and car for first 1.5 yrs .. But not happy now .. :(

No, you will not save money by buying a hybrid, if that's what you were thinking. Consumer Reports worked it out once, and you are spending like $8,000 extra dollars over the course of 5 years by buying the Prius instead of a regular Corolla. Hybrids are very expensive to buy, maintain, etc. Reliable? Yes. But not worth the money unless you REALLY have $8,000 to blow trying to protect the environment.

Well, I will tell you my honest insight on this car even though I will probably get a lot of thumbs down. I think this car is a piece of crap made purely for tree-huggars. 67hp? I don't even think you can climb a hill with that! No sunroof option? Downright uncomfortable seats. Predicts 60mpg? I have a friend that has one and gets around 34mpg on city. I really don't get this whole hybrid thing, I mean, If you want to save the environment, why don't you just buy a bike or use Public transportation. I know this one is just opinion, but the styling. I know this car is suppose to have a design of our future, but does our future have to look that bad? Go for the Mini all the way. It is very reliable, comes with the BMW Warranty which is pretty damn good, it's agile, it's fun and it looks cool. Most of all, it gets a great mpg with out sacrificing fun.

id get the prius i mean gas mileage is insane its def worth it because of the price of gas

My aunt bought one about a year ago, and she's been very pleased with it. Great gas mileage! ;)