is the prius a huge step forward? yes.
is it very eco-friendly (in terms of fuel usage)- yes.
is it the new cool thing to have? absolutely.
is it, from a financial standpoint, worth it to own one? eh...not so much. from the stats i've read, it takes approximately three years to see the fuel-repay benefits on the prius. it may be less with today's $4 / gallon prices (and by all estimates, upwards of $5 by summers end) but it still takes awhile. also, if you consider how quickly technology chages, well, that fancy, fuel efficient prius will probably be out to pasture in three years (which, coincidently, is the average term on a lease). interesting, huh?
if i were looking at cars right now, i would wouldn't even consider anything with more than 6 cylinders. if i commuted to work everyday, i wouldn't have anything with more than four. and, i wouldn't OWN anything. based on what i've seen coming out of DET and what i've heard from some of the folks i know, there is going to be a massive shift. whether it occurs in the next three years, or next five, that i don't know. but it's hanging out there. the economy simply cannot sustain a $5 or $6 price per gallon when the average salary hasn't risen to meet it.
and, fyi, here is a blub on yahoo today about hybrids. i guess the price of gas has in fact made them a bit more attractive from a metrics standpoint but you're still a year or two from recouping the upfront out of pocket costs.
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/amorylovins/43/rethinking-the-cost-of-hybrid-cars.html