Comparisons
Head-to-head car comparisons for drivers
Most car-buying decisions for driving work come down to two candidates, not twelve, so each comparison below is built around a single head-to-head matchup: a hybrid against a gas rival, a compact against a bigger car that qualifies for Uber Comfort or XL, or an older, cheaper option against a newer one still under warranty. Every comparison uses the same spec table and cost-per-mile chart as our single-car reviews, so the two vehicles are measured on identical assumptions rather than different sources. Where the numbers are close, we say so, and we link back to the full review of each car for the details a two-car table can't hold.
-
Accord Hybrid vs Civic: Paying More for Less Car
The Accord Hybrid is cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, roomier and eligible for Uber Comfort. The Civic's entire case is that it is the newer car.
22.6¢/mi Accord Hybrid 27.3¢/mi Civic
-
Camry Hybrid vs Corolla Hybrid: The Answer Depends on Your Budget
At the bottom of the market the Camry Hybrid is the cheaper car by $70. At the top it is the dearer one by $5,890, and it runs cheaper either way.
22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid 26.5¢/mi Corolla Hybrid
-
Niro vs Corolla Hybrid: The Thriftier Car Costs More to Run
The Corolla Hybrid is rated 52 mpg against the Niro's 49, and still costs 2.1 cents a mile more to run. Depreciation and the price floor explain why.
24.3¢/mi Niro 26.5¢/mi Corolla Hybrid
-
Prius vs Civic: Hybrid Against Gas, With No Crossing Point
The Civic is the newer car with more rear legroom. The Prius is cheaper to buy at both ends of the market and 6.9 cents a mile cheaper to run.
20.4¢/mi Prius 27.3¢/mi Civic
-
Accord Hybrid vs Sonata Hybrid: Comfort Eligibility Decides It
The Sonata Hybrid is cheaper to buy. The Accord Hybrid is cheaper to run, clears Uber Comfort, and gives back 5.6 inches of rear legroom on top.
22.6¢/mi Accord Hybrid 25.7¢/mi Sonata Hybrid
-
Model 3 vs Camry Hybrid: The EV Saves Energy, Not Money
The Model 3 costs 3.5 cents a mile less to fuel and 2 cents a mile more to depreciate. Net it is barely ahead, and the entry price decides the rest.
20.7¢/mi Model 3 22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid
-
Prius vs Corolla Hybrid: Same 52 MPG, Six Cents Apart
Both cars are rated 52 mpg combined, so fuel is a wash between them. The entire 6.1-cent-a-mile gap is depreciation, and it costs $1,830 a year.
20.4¢/mi Prius 26.5¢/mi Corolla Hybrid
-
Bolt EV vs Prius for Rideshare: Cheapest Mile, With a Catch
The Bolt EV beats the Prius on cost per mile and purchase price. Charging time is the cost this dataset can't put a number on, and it's the whole trade-off.
18.0¢/mi Bolt EV 20.4¢/mi Prius
-
Camry Hybrid vs Accord Hybrid: Two Comfort Cars, One Roomier
Both clear Uber Comfort and land within a tenth of a cent per mile. The real difference is legroom, cargo, and where each car's price ceiling sits.
22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid 22.6¢/mi Accord Hybrid
-
Corolla Hybrid vs Civic: Does the Fuel Savings Survive Depreciation?
The Corolla Hybrid burns far less fuel than the Civic, but its depreciation is the steepest of any hybrid sedan here. We check whether the fuel savings hold up.
26.5¢/mi Corolla Hybrid 27.3¢/mi Civic
-
Kia Niro vs Prius: Lowest Price Floor vs Lowest Cost Per Mile
The Niro is the cheapest vehicle to buy in this entire dataset. The Prius costs less per mile. We find the mileage where one overtakes the other.
24.3¢/mi Niro 20.4¢/mi Prius
-
Model 3 vs Bolt EV for Rideshare: Comfort Tier vs Cheapest Mile
The Bolt EV is the cheaper EV to own by 2.8 cents a mile. The Model 3 clears Uber Comfort, which the Bolt EV cannot. Both leave charging time unpriced.
20.7¢/mi Model 3 18.0¢/mi Bolt EV
-
Model 3 vs Prius for Rideshare: Comfort Access vs Cheaper to Own
The Model 3 clears Uber Comfort and the Prius does not, but the Prius is cheaper to buy and a hair cheaper per mile. Charging time is the wild card.
20.7¢/mi Model 3 20.4¢/mi Prius
-
Prius vs Camry Hybrid for Rideshare: Cheaper Miles or Better Ratings?
The Prius costs less per mile. The Camry Hybrid qualifies for Uber Comfort. We model which gap is bigger at 30,000 miles a year.
20.4¢/mi Prius 22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid
-
RAV4 Hybrid vs Camry Hybrid: Cargo Space vs Cost Per Mile
The RAV4 Hybrid holds two and a half times the cargo of the Camry Hybrid, at a running cost 6.8 cents a mile higher. We size up who the trade is worth it for.
29.5¢/mi RAV4 Hybrid 22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid
-
Sienna vs Odyssey: Both Uber XL Only, One Costs Far Less
Neither minivan qualifies for Uber X. Both clear Uber XL. The Sienna's hybrid drivetrain makes it 4.4 cents a mile cheaper than the gas-only Odyssey.
38.4¢/mi Sienna 42.9¢/mi Odyssey
-
Sonata Hybrid vs Camry Hybrid: Lower Price, No Comfort Access
The Sonata Hybrid is cheaper to buy at the top of its range, but it costs more per mile and misses Uber Comfort, which the Camry Hybrid clears.
25.7¢/mi Sonata Hybrid 22.8¢/mi Camry Hybrid
Running cost is energy, maintenance and depreciation only, at $4.08/gal and $0.18/kWh. See methodology.
Photographs by crash71100 (Public Domain Dedication (CC0)), dambranslv (CC BY 2.0), Damian B Oh (CC BY-SA 4.0), GoToVan (CC BY 2.0), Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0), mariordo59 (CC BY-SA 2.0), mliu92 (CC BY-SA 2.0), RL GNZLZ (CC BY-SA 2.0) and varnent (CC BY-SA 2.0). Each photograph is credited in full on its own page and on photo credits.