I bought the 500 and something Prius sold in this country, in 2001. It now has 98,000 miles on it. You actually can get between 45-50 miles per gallon on the highway, if you drive intelligently and don't speed.

There is this meme going on that Prius owners buy them for the status, because they look different, unlike the Honda Civic hybrids. What no one who writes these stories, which always includes a comment about the status factor, discusses is the fact that Prius and Civics have a different hybrid technology, based on a different set of ideas, and that someone might just like the technology of one rather than the other and thus make their car buying decisions.

I chose the Prius not for any status (and I have gotten rather tired of showing my engine compartment to complete strangers in parking lots) but because I liked their technology better. I think that writers on hybrid technology should mention this along with the comments about status when they discuss motivations for buying hybrid cars.

ILAMD has a good point. I am tired of hearing of all the "status" reasons I bought my Prius. I bought it becasue it saves me $150 per month in gas, and it is roomy, comfortable, and has great acceleration. And the clincher for me was the fold-down rear seats. I can fit 8-ft lumber or 16 bags of garden mulch in it. The Civic Hybrid rear seat does not fold down becasue they have the battery there (at least the model year I looked at was that way).

I chose the Civic Hybrid precisely because it doesn't look distinctive. I don't feel the need to advertise to others that I drive a hybrid; and if "distinctive" means "hideous," I'll let the Priuses have it.

You wrote:

"I don't feel the need to advertise to others that I drive a hybrid; and if 'distinctive' means 'hideous,' I'll let the Priuses have it."

Who cares how it looks? The Prius body shape is more aerodynamic, therefore it is better. It uses less gas and stays on the road better. The shape also enhances passenger comfort and visibility.

I do not understand why anyone gives a hoot about the shape of a car. A car is a utilitarian object. Fuel economy, safety and comfort matter -- whether the shape is "hideous" or not is immaterial. I do not understand people who spend thousands of dollars on machinery and worry about the outward appearance rather than the engineering specifications. Would you buy a personal computer or a water heater based on the shape?

Anyway, after you get used to the shape it is fine. It resembles many species of fish, which is not a bit coincidental.

"Who cares how it looks?" I do.