CNN Money recently compared the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius Plug-In, and their conclusion was simple: The Volt is obsolete compared to the Prius. Fans of the Chevy Volt point to the Volt plug-in hybrid's ability to go from 25-50 miles with using any fuel, then switch smoothly into its "range-extending" mode. CNN Money draws their conclusion from the Prius Plug-In's 13 miles in electric only mode then seamlessly transitions to the fuel-sipping hybrid mode.

The Prius without plug-in capacity averages 51mpg in the city and 48mpg on the highway. The Volt however, after it switches into fuel mode isn't so fuel efficient. According to Popular Mechanics, the Volt averages just 32mpg in the city and 36mpg on the highway. Now, the simple argument against CNN is that the Prius Plug-In hasn't even come out yet, therefore how can you compare a car on sale with one that isn't available yet? The Volt costs a pretty penny off the lot, priced at $41,000 before the roughly $7,000 in tax breaks. The Prius Plug-In should cost around $28,000. More than likely, the Volt will come down in price once the Prius Plug-In is finally released.