Cost Effective Family Car: Prius LE vs Civic vs Corolla Hybrid vs...something else?

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

We are expecting our first and would like to purchase a family car. Currently we have two that are nearing the end of their life (15 year Toyota and 10 year Hyundai). Our experience with the Hyundai is so-so.

We lean towards a new Toyota due to our positive experience with the one we have. So, the Prius and Corolla hybrid are both on the table. They also now offer a ten year warranty on the battery which seems attractive and something that was not offered on the '19 and older models.

Also on the table is the trusty Civic.

Besides new, we'd be potentially open to a used version of one of these vehicles (2017 or newer).

What is your opinion? Is there another model we should consider?

[Anonymous]

I love my Kia Niro. It's a hybrid that gets mileage close to a Prius but without the weird styling.

[Anonymous]

Civic seems safer than corolla. Prius shouldn’t exist.

[Anonymous]

I think a Civic and Corolla are both good options.

If I was buying a new car now, Corolla would likely be at the top of my list because I'm most familiar with Toyotas.

[Anonymous]

You're going to be hard-pressed to save much money getting a 2017 Toyota/Honda, I think, plus you're dealing with higher used-car interest rates unless you're paying cash. Price out new ones along with the gently used, and look at cars coming off lease.

[Anonymous]

A hybrid is not going to be worth it with gas prices so low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're going to be hard-pressed to save much money getting a 2017 Toyota/Honda, I think, plus you're dealing with higher used-car interest rates unless you're paying cash. Price out new ones along with the gently used, and look at cars coming off lease.

Thanks - we are paying cash. Based on quotes we've gotten, we are leaning new. Not much of a discount for those coming off a lease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A hybrid is not going to be worth it with gas prices so low.

Disagree. If you own your car for ten years, this will change.

[Anonymous]

I like the way the current corolla looks. Have not driven one. I would drive both thst and the civic and see which you like better. Both are great cars.

[Anonymous]

Of the three the OP mentioned, only the Corolla is going to be big enough for a "family car." And... probably not for 10 years unless they're only planning for one kid.

[Anonymous]

When I was looking (granted, many years ago) the Prius just didn’t go down in price that much if you bought used. The Lexus LX hybrid, however, does (did?). It’s a top consumer reports pick and a great family car. I found that things that were standard on the Lexus were add ons for the Prius/higher trim lines and so the difference in cost was actually not that much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was looking (granted, many years ago) the Prius just didn’t go down in price that much if you bought used. The Lexus LX hybrid, however, does (did?). It’s a top consumer reports pick and a great family car. I found that things that were standard on the Lexus were add ons for the Prius/higher trim lines and so the difference in cost was actually not that much.

Typo— Lexus RX. Their midsize suv

[Anonymous]

Bear in mind baby gear like strollers can take up a lot of trunk space. What about a Camry? Or a Subaru?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Civic seems safer than corolla. Prius shouldn’t exist.

Why should the Prius not exist? Love mine! 2008 and going strong!

[Anonymous]

The Prius has more cargo room. We have both right now (the prius is a few years older) and end up using the Prius most of the time. Kids = stuff, and the prius just absorbs stuff.