Honda Civic Hybrid Alternative: 10 Reasons To Buy The New Toyota Prius

With an attractive new design and an array of tech features, the new Prius seems like a worthy alternative to the Civic Hybrid.

Toyota has been shaping the EV segment by making some significant changes to its Prius. The new Prius is jam-packed with features while also boasting a striking and elegant design-something we haven't seen from Toyota for quite a while. Boasting some decent power under the hood, while also packing a range that gives the EV.

But how does it fare against the rest of the electric car segment? Specifically, we're talking about one of Toyota's longest-running rivals to date, Honda, and their new Civic H-EV Hybrid. Currently, the new Civic Hybrid hasn't made its way to the American market and is expected to make its way to the U.S. sometime in 2024.

The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime and Honda Civic Hybrid are hybrid cars, but the Prius Prime takes the lead in engine power and top speed. Under its hood, the Prius Prime boasts a new 2.0-liter engine, an electric motor, and an advanced lithium-ion battery, delivering a total of 220 horsepower – almost 100 more than the previous model. This translates to faster acceleration, as the Prius Prime sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds, whereas the Civic Hybrid takes 7.17 seconds. It just goes to show that Toyota isn't messing around with the Prius, making it one of the more desirable cars in the EV segment to date.

In comparison, the Civic Hybrid generates 181 horsepower from its hybrid powertrain, which is commendable but falls short of the Prius Prime's performance. Additionally, the specific top speed of the Prius Prime is not mentioned, but it surpasses the Civic Hybrid's 112-mph limit. Overall, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime excels with its powerful engine and quicker acceleration, making it a viable alternative for drivers seeking a blend of eco-friendliness and spirited performance on the road.

2023 Toyota Prius

2023 Honda Civic Hybrid

Engine

2.0-liter 4-cylinder Hybrid Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder Hybrid Powertrain

Power

220 hp

181 hp

Torque

139 lb-ft

232 lb-ft

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The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime takes a significant leap ahead in range compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid. With its new and improved powertrain, the Prius Prime offers an impressive all-electric range of 53 MPG in cities, and 51 MPG on highways, averaging around 52 MPG, which is 50% more than the previous generation. This translates to a combined range of 654 miles, comprising 610 miles from the gas tank and an additional 44 all-electric miles. On the efficiency front, the Prius Prime achieves an outstanding 133 MPGe.

In comparison, the Honda Civic Hybrid has a range of up to 521 miles in real-world driving, falling short of the Prius Prime's impressive range capabilities. With its significantly extended all-electric range and overall combined range, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime clearly outperforms the Honda Civic Hybrid in terms of range, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious drivers seeking extended driving distances between refueling or recharging.

The new Toyota Prius Prime surpasses the Honda Civic Hybrid with its advanced solar roof feature and its sleeker roofline which complements the car as a whole. This cutting-edge technology enables the Prius Prime to constantly enhance its efficiency by recharging the battery using roof-mounted solar panels while parked. Additionally, the solar panels provide extra power for functions like air conditioning, reducing the load on the main battery and boosting overall energy efficiency. In contrast, the Civic Hybrid lacks this innovative solar technology, relying solely on conventional hybrid systems. With a sleek design and no visible wires, the Prius Prime's solar roof maintains its aesthetic appeal. For environmentally-conscious drivers, this feature sets the Prius Prime apart, ensuring it is a highly eco-friendly choice with reduced environmental impact.

The new Toyota Prius brings something new to the table compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid. Utilizing the second-generation TNGA-C platform, the Prius boasts a lower center of gravity, reduced weight, and increased rigidity, enhancing handling and stability. Its modern, aerodynamic silhouette, featuring lowered roofline and widened rear, adds style and a dynamic feel to the driving experience. The Prius stands out with thin LED headlights, optimized front grille shutters, and aero-stabilizing under-body panels that reduce drag and noise. Customizable alloy wheels in sporty designs further elevate its appeal. In comparison, the Honda Civic Hybrid boasts a sportier look similar to its predecessors.

The interior of the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime features a clean and modern design, offering improved comfort and the latest technology. Inspired by the bZ4X electric SUV, the Prius Prime boasts a driver-centric cluster display and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with an optional 12.3-inch display available. Both come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and dual Bluetooth device connectivity, providing seamless smartphone integration.

Additionally, the Prius Prime features redesigned seats with an enlarged sitting area, ensuring increased comfort for occupants. The higher trims even offer standard heated and cooled seats for enhanced comfort during all seasons. In contrast, while the Honda Civic Hybrid features a streamlined interior design with cleverly hidden air vents, it lacks many of the bells and whistles in the tech department compared to the Toyota Prius.

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The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime remains a suitable option for families of up to five people, despite offering slightly less interior and cargo space compared to its predecessor. The front legroom has improved to 43.2 inches, and the rear legroom is now 34.8 inches, ensuring a comfortable ride for passengers. Although the total passenger volume decreased from 93.1 to 91.2 cubic feet, the 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space, though reduced from the previous model, should be sufficient for everyday grocery needs. The Honda Civic's passenger same is roughly the same as previous generations, but cargo volume is fundamentally less compared to the Toyota Prius, making it a better cargo-loading hybrid through and through.

2023 Toyota Prius

2023 Civic Hybrid

Cargo Space (Max)

26.7 cu ft.

24.5 cu ft.

Front Legroom

43.2 in.

42.3 in.

Front Headroom

38 in.

38 in.

Rear Legroom

34.8 in.

37.4 in.

Rear Headroom

36.4 in.

37 in.

The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime comes equipped with an array of exciting quality-of-life infotainment upgrades, enhancing the overall driving experience for its new buyers. Among these is the available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering intuitive touch and voice activation controls, enabling easy operation through simple phrases like "Hey Toyota." For those seeking an upgraded audio experience, the Prius Prime offers the option of a JBL Premium Audio system with eight speakers, delivering premium sound quality.

Additionally, the car offers various Connected Services, providing convenience and connectivity to the driver. Each model comes with a one-year trial to Toyota Remote Connect, which includes the Digital Key feature. With this, owners can perform functions like locking and unlocking doors and remotely starting the vehicle from their smartphones. Inside the cabin, the Prius Prime features six USB ports, ensuring ample charging options for electronic devices. These include two Type-C USB ports at the bottom of the center stack, two more in the center console, and two Type-C USB ports at the bottom rear of the center console.

The new 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is expected to maintain its impressive safety record, building upon the last generation's five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Packed with advanced safety features, the Prius Prime ensures a secure driving experience.

Standard on the 2023 Prius Prime is the Toyota Safety Sense TSS 3.0, which includes a comprehensive set of safety technologies. This package features the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and the newly added Proactive Driving Assist. The Proactive Driving Assist is an innovative addition, offering gentle braking during curves and aiding distance control. Moreover, all other features in the package have been further enhanced to provide even better protection for drivers and passengers.

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The upcoming Prius Prime's new generation will be available in three well-equipped grades. Starting with the LE trim, it comes with standard dark gray 17-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, an eight-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, and six-way adjustable fabric front seats in black or gray, along with rear fabric seats.

Stepping up to the XLE grade, you'll enjoy the addition of 19-inch alloy wheels and an eight-way adjustable heated power driver’s SofTex seat in standard black or gray. The XLE also offers optional features like the 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, fixed glass roof, and Digital Key for added convenience. At the top of the lineup, the Limited trim impresses with a standard 12.3-inch JBL Premium Audio touchscreen display, fixed glass roof, SofTex heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power rear liftback, and Digital Key, making it the most comprehensively equipped choice.

The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime offers an impressive array of standard trims while maintaining a reasonable price range. The SE trim starts at $32,350, the XSE at $35,600, and the XSE Premium at $39,170. Compared to the 2022 model, which ranged from $29,865 to $35,645, the 2023 Prius Prime provides excellent value for the enhancements it brings.

Moreover, the Prius Prime is highly customizable, with six exterior colors to choose from and a range of accessories and packages available. For instance, customers can add the solar charging roof with options for $960 or opt for the Advanced Technology Package with options for $2,245. Additionally, an extensive list of accessories is available, such as paint protection film for $525, body side moldings for $275, mudguards for $150, an integrated dashcam for $375, door sill protector for $250, and a universal table holder for $99, among many others.

Naseer's been in head-deep in the motorsport and JDM scene. He loves to breathe new life into beaters and is crazy about all things' aftermarket. And when he's not burning rubber, you can catch him playing Forza on PC.