AOTD: 10 Best Alternatives to a Prius

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 12/08/2013 at 17:40 • Filed to: Answers of the Day, Prius, Alternative, Hybrid, EV, Plug-In

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I need to take a break. So here's my 10 Best Alternatives to the Prius.

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10: Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Yes, it's 10k more than either the standard Prius or the Camry hybrid (and a good much more chunk of change on top of that when compared to the Prius C), but hey, at least it's a Toyota hybrid with style, and it proves that there are better alternatives within Toyota's own lineup. Ironically enough Toyota's largest car may be their most fun-to-drive car as Toyota-badged cars in the U.S. currently stand.

9. Toyota Prius-C

Or for that matter, within the actual Prius lineup. Now this takes the liberty of assuming that JayhawkJay means the standard Prius specifically. Granted, it's got the same problems as the standard Prius, save one: price. Coming in (just barely) at sub-20k this is one of the best new values you can find on the market regardless of size (though it is cramped, essentially a Yaris with a battery in the back) and at a price point where entry hybrids actually make sense, matching very nicely with the Focus and Civic and even the Fiesta and Fit.

8. Nissan Rogue

The outgoing model got decent fuel figures all throughout its life, staying competitive with much newer and up-to-date offerings. The fact that Nissan churned them out like sausages and that there's a new one being offered for sale means that there's nothing but value and savings to be had, new or used. It might not exactly be an AWD 370z and the interior may be just this side of horrid (still better than the Hyundai Tucson's), but if you need a crossover or wagon body with AWD and the ability to stretch your gas budget, it's hard to go wrong here.

7. Buick Verano

For the price of a Prius you get...a FWD Buick with not nearly as great gas mileage. But Buick ownership means a higher level of refinement and interior accouterments. Plus, Opponauts and Jalops have reported that the engine choices available aren't slouchy either. And the gas mileage difference is small enough that the differences will only show up over the long term.

6. Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra might not get the originally advertised 40 MPG but it still comes close enough to the Prius especially when considering its price point. The interior isn't too shabby at all - you get what you expect in base trim but step up to the Limited and it starts to get more than competitive (though still held back from achieving Buick-level luxury thanks primarily to excessive road noise). And if you find the standard Elantra not sporting enough there's Coupe and GT trims as well - with the same engine, expect the same gas mileage (if still lacking an upgrade in sportiness).

5. Honda Fit

Like the Elantra, but smaller and with the Honda badge (and everything you'd expect with that) behind it.

4. Subaru Impreza

Like the other entries above, the Impreza also claims to be in the high 30/40 MPG highway club. Plus, it's an Impreza, which means it shares the same DNA as the WRX/STI, just with a weaker engine and other things you'd expect to keep the same price point as the Civic and Elantra. What's not to like? For that matter, how is this not a no-brainer?

But there are still three more slots to go.

3. Ford *insert name here* ST

Or you can just get the STi - minus the "i." The Fiesta ST is still rated for the mid-30s highway, but with enough oomph to put some hoon into your commute.

2. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Or you can just forget the whole notion of fuel economy altogether. Or do you?

It might only achieve it on a technicality, under very specific driving conditions that most Stingray buyers will likely just bypass, but it does get better fuel economy than !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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1. Mazda Miata

Or, you know, Miata. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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JR1 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 17:44

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Well done sir but I do believe you forgot the Ford C-Max, it may be ugly and have no soul but don't all economy cars?

deekster_caddy > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 17:50

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So, you left off the Chevy Volt, I assume because of price (or you've got something else against the Volt). Keep in mind that the price now starts at $35K, there is a $7500 fed. tax credit and more in some states. That makes the price $27.5 before you find other local rebates and dealer discounts, of which there are plenty. This brings the price into suddenly competitive to the Prius, which is really a completely different class of car. I can give you some real world statistics, but the economy you'll get is pretty amazing. The full battery costs me $0.75 to fill, your electric rates may vary. That's good for about the 1st gallon equivelant, so basically my first 35-40 miles each day is at $0.75/gal.

It's got a very nice interior if you don't mind the learning curve of the center stack. It's confusingly designed because they made it do a little too much but you get used to it.

If you are more interested there's a lot more to learn about the Volt's economics. It's a game changer.

dogisbadob > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 17:51

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Not the Cruze diesel?

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 17:51

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For MPGs I would say a diesel VW. Of course I would pretty much drive anything other than a Prius, well, some cars like a PT Cruiser are worse....

leicester > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 18:16

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old beater Ford Festiva, Chevy Sprint, or Geo Metro>? All >40mpg hiway, non-hybrid, and bone-simple.

Vandelay Industries > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 18:27

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so these are all terrible...

theres not a single diesel on the list.

tinfoilinplasticwrap > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 18:37

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Or if you still want the fuel efficency, get a diesel car.

Manuél Ferrari > leicester 12/08/2013 at 18:42

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Also old beater BMW 318ti

Because RWD 4 banger with an MT for $1900

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4157120855…

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/08/2013 at 18:54

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Another biggie you left out for #4, the Subie, is the AWD. It is the only one on this list with AWD and it is still great on gas

Frankenbike666 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/12/2013 at 02:43

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My neck of the woods is Priused out, and we have a lot of Volts in my neighborhood. 3 on my block alone.

If you drive in an area with a lot of hills and stop signs or ill timed lights closely spaced together, you really want a hybrid. Kinetic recovery is a nice thing when you start and stop a lot. I'd really like it on my Focus ST :)