Tell me, are hybrids worth it? More specifically, 3rd gen Honda Insight

In reply to Japanspec :

The Prius C is based on the Yaris platform, not the "regular" Prius.  I loved mine and frankly wish I still had it.  Mine was the base trim level, and it still had enough creature comforts for me... power windows and locks, cruise control, automatic climate control, Bluetooth.  It asked for nothing but oil changes and front brake pads (until the previously mentioned head gasket failure).  If I was playing the fuel mileage game, I could coax 55-60mpg around the suburbs.  On the highway it got between 42-50 depending on speed.  It's no sports car but I found the ride and handling better than the regular Prius.  Back seat room was adequate, not spacious.  With the rear seat down, it could carry a decent amount.  With the rear seat up, cargo room is modest.

Negatives?  It's very small.  I suppose that could be a positive or negative.  It's slow, 99hp slow.  Surprisingly it'll cruise the highway at 80mph all day (been there done that), just don't expect to squeeze into a tight spot in traffic... ain't gonna happen.  

My daughter has had it for 18 months now and loves it, she refuses to give it back to me.  LOL.

As a number of posters have indicated, it is situational and there is no one correct answer. I purchased a 2024 Maverick hybrid. Compared to an identical non-hybrid, the price differential was $1750 more for the hybrid engine. Based on current info on www.fueleconomy.gov comparing these two models, it would take a little less than 50k miles to pay back the extra cost of the hybrid engine. I also ran some numbers with just a 10 mpg difference and $3.25/gal gas price which showed an $1830 fuel savings over 50k miles. So, in my case I think it will be worthwhile.