Honda Jazz Hybrid vs Toyota Prius C

Australia's cheapest new hybrid is still $5000 dearer than equivalent petrol Jazz. Cabin is better trimmed than Prius and looks more conventional. Standard gear includes Bluetooth, four-speaker audio with iPod/USB. No capped-price servicing but the battery warranty is eight years. Resale: 48 per cent.

Baby Prius is $2000 more than a Corolla hatch auto and fuel savings take 3.5 years to make up. Standard are reverse camera, keyless go, auto aircon, touchscreen, Bluetooth/iPod/USB. Servicing capped at $130, up to six times in three years/60,000km. Resale is weak: 42 per cent.

Barely there bonnet and near-vertical, wagon-like tail and wide hatch create heaps of room for cargo or humans. Batteries pinch space (223L against the petrol Jazz's 337L). Honda's "magic" seats split, fold and tumble. Switchgear is a bit scattered, needing familiarisation. It seats five at a pinch.

Third Prius is the smallest, based on Yaris but 110mm longer, so has cabin room to rival Corolla. It seats five adults (four in comfort) with reasonable boot space (260L). Hard plastic abounds in the cabin but clarity and simple controls make it one of the best dashboards around.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine (65kW) and electric motor (10kW) drive front wheels via a CVT. Honda claims 4.5L/100km with help from stop-start system and there is regenerative braking to top up the nickel-metal hydride battery (as in Prius), which is under rear seat.

Prius can completely separate the engine and motor, driving (slowly) up to 2km on electric motor (45kW) alone before batteries expire and 1.5-litre petrol engine (54kW) kicks in. As with Jazz, there are "eco" mode, CVT and regenerative braking. Toyota claims 3.9L/100km.

Jazz gets a five-star crash rating, electronic stability and traction control, six airbags and brake assist. There are no park sensors or reverse camera and the spare is a space-saver wheel.

Despite its size, the Prius rates high on safety with a five-star crash rating, seven airbags, electronic stability and traction control, hill-start assist and a reversing camera. It also has a full-size spare wheel.

Adequate performance off the mark. Press harder and CVT creates more noise. It cruises comfortably at 100km/h and generally feels solid. Tall profile cops wind buffeting and creates bodyroll in corners. Stick to the city -- it's tiresome on long drives.

PlayStation-style gearshift and lifeless steering aren't conducive to a positive on-road feel. Performance is adequate and it practically parks on a coin. Vision is good though split rear window can distort the view. Ride comfort rates well but it always feels overly light.