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I think the article is a little idealistic,
my 2011 civic gets 36 mpg, whereas a similarly equipped insight would only get about 41 with my type of driving (75mph 80-100miles/day round trip) at a cost of 3K more I would only save about $300/year taking 10 years (330,000 miles) at current gas prices to break even on the higher initial investment.
That is why I chose not to go hybrid, and although I don't doubt Honda's Quality reputation, my gut instinct was that the long term maintenance of the Civic would be also be less than the insight which would negate fuel savings. When I ran the same numbers with the Civic hybrid the purchase price difference was slightly larger and the fuel gains were identical meaning it would take me 10+ years at my current driving rate to make up the difference.
People who drive the amount/ type that I do buy hybrids as a lifestyle choice, not an economic investment IMO. If I lived in town and did lots of stop and go the Hybrid would be my choice by far.
For the record I drive an '06 prius at work and I consistently get 75+ mpg in the city, but at Texas Highway speeds, it gets between 40 and 45 pretty consistently. And it is a maintenance nightmare for out facilities guys. So much that they are looking at surplussing the 4 or so that we own because of the maintenance.
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