[FrayAdjacent911]

I don't think a hybrid should be considered in lieu of a standard version of the same vehicle.

Meaning, you should think of a person who can afford a Civic, would pony up more money (waste more?).

In my mind it would be more of a comparison of a Civic Hybrid compared to, say, an Accord around the same price.

So if you compare like models, then the savings in gas really won't make up for the difference in price, but if you compare to a similarly priced vehicle type, then there will be savings.