I am currently driving a 2006 Honda Insight. It is a hybrid that runs on both gas and battery with the gas function charging the battery. This car was manufactured from 2000-2006. It has 2 seats with enough room for my 6'2" husband to sit comfortably. The hatchback has enough room for 3 carts of groceries and a small compartment below the floor which easily holds my workout backpack. . While I understand this car wouldn't work as the "family" car it is the perfect commute car.
This car gets upwards of 70 mpg on the highway and 60's in town. It has what I call a biofeedback device below the speedometer that visually graphs how good your mileage is which encourages me go lighter on the pedal. The cost of the car new was mid 20's. The marketing was poor in my mind because at the time the dealers were pushing the much larger, much more expensive SUV's and the consumers were buying them.(Including me) It's my understanding that Honda is planning to re-release the Insight that has 4 seats and will get over 40 mpg, but not the 2 seater which gets even better mileage. I would love to see the US automakers offering a functional fuel efficient car but sadly the auto industry is finally offering better mileage cars when no one can afford the tires, little lone the entire car.
BTW I am a 57 year old woman who marginally re-cycles anything and never in my wildest dreams thought I would put my
luxury car in the garage to drive a hybrid, but I am pragmatic enough to understand that this car is money in my pocket every time I drive it.