>>>Just saw this article: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/66260/prius_hits_113mpg.html
>>
>>Now buying a car becomes (again) like buying a computer - as soon as you've bought one, it becomes obsolete :).
>>
>>Just when I decided I like the 2003 model... this is just a big WOW. And it got me thinking.
>
>Don't overlook the Honda Civic hybrid. I understand they're considerably cheaper than the Prius and get similar mileage.

These guys http://arstechnica.com/reviews/other/2003-civic-hy.ars/5 have expressed my thoughts better than I could (albeit it's three year old comparison): Civic is a hybrid which tries its best to look normal.

Prius is a computer with two engines and four wheels - and it's the one car you can buy here that's weird enough for me :).