A few of my co-workers bought these. Didn't get a chance to drive, but the ride was interesting.

A Prius, or Civic hybrid, was on my Strong Possibility list when I was car shopping this fall. I wimped and bought a Civic EX; conventional motor, but high mileage.

My NEXT car will have fuel cells.

I just paid off my 2001 Prius and am trying desperately to quell my desire to trade up to the new one. I freaking love my Prius.

Yes, in exactly that kind of way. Mmm. Hybridy.

I think it looks horrible, horrible enough that I'd never buy one. Prius is a fantastic idea, but the styling and design of the shape is a mess - it looks like it's been pulled back without anything being done to the front. The back of the car looks bulky. :-(

I think perhaps Toyota need to call Pininfarina to tell them how to design a car. They used to have some really lovely designs, some of their Celicas have been amazing, but lately? Blech.

I don't think it's _that_ bad, TC - the new one is a huge improvement, visually, over the old one. Hybrids should be a bit quirky - to set them apart from the pack; the Honda IMAS concept points to the next Honda Insight hybrid.

I noticed that the PT Cruiser was a winner from previous years. Sorta takes the shine off the apple.

Jon: I disagree--hybrids should look exactly like other cars. The only way they can gain true acceptance is if "hybrid" was just an engine option. Honda is somewhat catching on to this idea. The key goal is to have lower-pollution vehicles driven by the masses, not just by trendy designers.

The PT Cruiser was deserving of that award at the time. It brought forth a different style, and definitely helped bring back "retro" (I hate that term) designs now seen in many new autos.

That said, the MT Car of the Year for 1997 was the Chevy Malibu. Whaaa?

I've got one on order. It rides like a dream.

I've recently bought a hybrid Honda Insight, and it's a lovely vehicle, drives beautifully, with gas milage I'd only dreamed of. But if I were shopping for a hybrid today, I'd lean towards the Prius. It's even more efficient, and far better equipped.

I completely agree with Lenny. I can't stand how hybrid cars have always been designed to look more futuristic than other cars. I don't want my car to look like a poor imitation of a bullet pod, and I don't want panels over my wheel wells... I just secretly want the better car for my own conscious (and pocketbook, and environment, etc.)

I recently purchased a Matrix. After getting over the the poor naming choice, I chose it because it was thousands less than the Prius, yet still gets well over 30mpg, and has amazing cargo space.

At first I didn't much like the look of the new Prius -- that backend smacks way too much of the Aztek (gag). It's grown on me. I agree with Lenny, the hybrids shouldn't necessarily stick out like a sore thumb; people want other people to notice their cars, but not like that. If you know what I mean. It's not just Honda hoping on the clue train: Lexus has a hybrid RX 330 on the way and unless Ford delays it again, there's to be a hybrid Escape (and likely a Mazda Tribute) as well.

I do love the Matrix, though. (I like the Pontiac Vibe's styling a little better, though. Same car, same factory, different badges.)

Same factory, yet somehow the Matrix is 10% less expensive than the Vibe.

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.

All sentences that seem true should be questioned.

Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.

my next car is a civic! Its my personal favorite car