Yeah, Ike, I guess it is a matter of perspective. I have an HCHII, the
reasons I bought it are many, first I did not want to tell the world "look
at me I have a hybrid" it is more like a car not a video game with an
overall better look and feel.
I have driven the Prius 1,000 miles in 4 days, not fun...less headroom,
seating position too upright, I HATE the video game screen, I HATE the a/c
controls, the bar across the back, the seating position is too high & too
upright, less headroom odd console, cup holder, pushbutton start, shift
knobbie on the dash to bang my knee on the list goes on and on, yes I know
it has more interior room than the Civic but in the cargo area, not in the
passenger area where it counts....so, while my Civic may not be a Prius, I
am thankful for that every day, yeah, I get 1 less mpg than my friend with a
prius but, who cares, at least I have a car I am comfortable in and does not
have a top heavy skitterish ride.
I does look like the 2010 prius has fixed most of my issues, I am sure the
seating position has not been fixed because for me Toyotas (generally)have
the most uncomfortable seats on the market and I see the bar across the back
is there too (a major fault on the insight too, sadly).

"Ike" <binarydotike@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:gqt6t6$fg5$1@news.motzarella.org...
> I've just driven the new Insight. As an owner of the current-edition Prius
> since its release in October 2003, my opinion of the Honda entry is of
> course mostly shaped by my Prius experience. I've also driven the Accord
> and Civic hybrids, though. Nice cars, but seem to be playing catch-up.
> They all run much like a series hybrid rather than the remarkable Toyota
> parallel system.
>
> Few will drive Insight and Prius and choose the Honda, as it's simply less
> of a car. When the new Prius reaches the market, the difference will grow.
>
> Ike