Prius 52/45MPG Civic 36/44MPG and <br>Jetta TDI 44/49MPG<br><br>Real world mileage 42MPG Prius, 40MPG Civic and 45MPG Jetta.<br><br>I was impressed by the Prius and now after doing more research I am wondering if the VW Jetta or Golf TDI diesel would not be a better option or even a Civic HX.<br><br>The Jetta has more power,more features, more room, better safety (I think), diesel costs less than gas, and diesel technology is proven over time.<br><br>Prius has lower emissions and novel technology and possibly tax credits.<br><br>Honda Civic HX costs much less than Prius or Jetta and has almost the same mileage. It has excellent reliability record. It does not offer as many features as the Prius or Jetta.<br><br>Since I can buy a Civic HX for 14K, a Prius for 20.5K and Jetta for 20K, Which one is the best?<br><br>Is the Prius only advantage in emissions?<br><br>Over time the Civic HX seems to provide the least cost per mile and the Jetta is second due to high cost of gasoline.

Be careful about the Jetta. I was considering one, but I went to some Jetta Internet lists, and saw a lot of complaints. One complaint that came from more than one person was about the car just sort of dying for no reason. <br>Fergittit.<br>Vetali

For those of you who don't follow the prius group, there's at least one TDI guy (maybe more, maybe multiple aliases) that have been desperately trying to talk people out of buying Prius over there. The "meatgenius" postings follow the pattern very closely.<br><br>"They" remind me of jealous engineers who have been forced to design cup holders :-)<br><br>So besides emissions (remember, TDI get's THE WORST ratings from EPA, though it gets much more respect in Europe), what's to like about Prius?<br><br>Do you remember the VW commercials with the guy desperately trying to get others to listen to him praise his new VW? Guess what, with the Prius people DO listen to you and they DO think its cool! Prius brings fun back to driving.<br><br>Prius got better JD Power owner satisfaction ratings.<br><br>It's transmission is way better than a manual or an automatic.<br><br>Back seat is actually comfortable for tall adults. It's a very pleasant carpooling car.<br><br>In addition to having low emissions in general, it specifically moves emissions away from trouble spots (city intersections, traffic jams, toll booths, tunnels, places with bicyclists/pedestrians, ...)<br><br>Prius is leapfrog technology. VW is making tiny incremental improvements year by year because internal combustion engines are at the top of their technology S curve. The hybrid curve has just started, it hasn't even reached the fast middle slope, and already it's become exciting and popular. If politics allows/forces diesels to suddenly become clean in 2004, hybrids could incorporate them for an additional mileage boost, if it's even necessary by then. Hybrids will be improving much faster than internal combustion for many years to come. So for now, the ICE folk fight back with Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD). They don't fear today's Prius, there's hardly enough to make a perceptible dent in their sales. They fear for their very future!<br><br>Prius and Insight: the cheapest fun cars you can buy without being a slob about it.<br><br>Robert Snyder<br>NJ-PIKACHU - in ALL vehicle related group postings.

Thank you for such a comprehensive amount of information. Insight is not an option as it does not have seating for four. <br>You are confirming my suspicion. Emissions are the major advantage of the Prius. <br>When I was at Toyota dealership last week the Prius back seat was comparable to Jetta and the HX was smaller.<br>Trying to get an opinion from this group with an open mind may not be possible. <br>I hope I am wrong.<br>I get 37MPG from my Prizm and since diesel fuel is $.40/gal cheaper it seemed that I should consider the merits of Hybrid, Diesel, and traditional efficient Gasoline engine.<br>Again, thank you Robert Snyder for your the less than valuble information.

to Robert<br><br>You must be very paranoid or simply unaware of the availability of Prius, Insight, TDI, and Civic HX. With the exception of the Insight the others are all very, very, difficult to obtain and limited in the amount manufactured.<br>Providing information on the comparison of these cars is not going to cause them to fail in the marketplace. You must be a TDIphobe.

So... tomorrow I order a dark blue 2002 Prius. Looks like it'll be around noon here (two hours later than it is on the west coast). The only option will be the single CD player -- Coastal tech gets the nod on cruise control. Dave, hope you will know by September if the hookup is the same in 2002. Funny, because cruise is part of the reason I didn't order earlier. My '84 BMW 318i will be missed (34mpg), but it will have about 220,000 miles by the time the Prius comes in. <br>Meat is right that the TDI and Civic HX aren't as readily available, at least around this part of the midwest, as some other cars. I looked at those cars, but am enamored with the technology in the Prius and have really liked it in test drives. Diesel just stinks. I trust my nose and if I'm having a hard time getting a breath when I follow a diesel, I don't want to drive one - or listen to that noise. I like the Civic HX, but am just drawn to the Prius. <br>You'll probably be happy with any of these cars, Meat, but I vote Prius.<br>--Zeke

Once I get my Prius I will be trading my '99 A4 Golf (gas). As it is effectively the same car as the current Jetta I am somewhat qualified to comment on the VW portion of the question.<br><br>The current generation Golf/Jetta/Bora is noisy inside. The road noise, engine noise, and assorted rattles keep dinging at you mile after mile. The fit is good, but should be better.<br><br>The Prius appears to be built better. Perhaps it IS a showpiece for Toyota.<br><br>And yes, the Prius has a serious advantage in emissions. Diesel cars should have the exhaust in the front, that way the driver could smell that wonderful diesel aroma. Diesels are the only thing that can make a cigar smell good.<br><br>If emissions and bucks are your major priorities, go for the Honda. I think I'd rather take a ride on the bleeding edge of technology.

Hey!<br><br>Enuff of yer sniping and fluff, outlander!<br><br>(what're you, a "groupie"?<br><br>Jeff (How's Pikachu? Baby wants to know.)<br><br>PS (yr transistors and data sheets are still here...one day dude)<br><br>PPS Catching up on 120+ messages on clubs is akin to driving a conventional car, God forbid!

The Prius is a great car to drive and only gets more amazing with time. To save max money go with the Honda. I personally think Diesels have a big negative impact on the environment and should be done away with.