The Honda Civic Hybrid is far behind the Toyota Prius in overall sales, but that may just be due to the fact that it scores 40/45 on the EPA tests, versus 48/45 for the Prius. Or that it's much harder to recognize on the street as the now-iconic Toyota model. Either way, in real-world driving conditions, the mileage difference only amounts to about $150 per year over 12,000 miles, as AutoblogGreen reports.

In testing, the blog found that the car achieved an average of 37 mpg, which isn't far below the low 40's number many Prius owners report. What's interesting about the Honda is that it employs a mild hybrid system, though "not nearly as mild as GM's BAS system," as the article said. The Civic Hybrid's electric motor doesn't drive the car on its own. But under light loads, the car can shut down the fuel supply and propel itself with it, while turning over the un-fueled gas engine.

Plus, the Civic Hybrid comes with two A/C compressors: a 75cc engine-driven unit for main duties, and a 15cc electric compressor that works whenever the vehicle is stopped or if there isn't much load to bear. In short, the blog found that the car drives well, and that its pricing also comes down to a wash when compared to a Prius. More importantly, with supplies running tight, which one can you actually find at your local dealership?