The Green Machine

Today we went to pick up our Prius at Fox car rentals. They didn't have a Prius available because the five that were supposed to be on the lot hadn't been returned on time. So instead they gave us a Honda Civic hybrid. Mel was non-plussed. I was just glad that we'd be driving a hybrid for our journey from The Bay to LA.

This was my first time driving a hybrid, and I must say that it was exciting. It barely made any noise when I turned on the ignition, and I'm sure I'm not the first person to wonder if it actually started at all. It made this futuristic low whirring noise as we accelerated out of the parking lot, something reminiscent of a sound effect from sci-fi television. On the highway, it was noticeably quieter when cruising next to a truck or mid-size sedan.

The gauges tell you what your calculated gas mileage is and when you are using the battery for assistance or when you are charging it (mostly when coasting down hills). The feel of it is almost identical to my Civic, only it's a little heavier. The back end sits a little higher, so it made parallel parking a little trickier. The cabin is nicer, with more head and leg room, yet it seems to be the same size vehicle. Everything is digital display, which took a little getting used to and somehow feels disconnected - it took a while to figure out where the odometer is. Other than that, it is a dream to drive and I want a hybrid now more than ever.