The TCH doesn't get the mileage of the Insight, Prius or HCH II. However, I can tell you that I'm having no problem hitting the EPA mileage (38 city, 40 highway). I honestly doubt that a 10 year old Geo Metro gets that milege. And even if it did you could not put five people comfortably in it. Aside from which, why would someone who's not in high school even consider driving a Metro.

Getting back to my point. I'm getting almost 40 mpg in a mid-size car with better performance than their standard 4 cylinder car and even slightly better performance than the last generation's V-6. I'd hardly say the mileage is crap. I understand I don't get anywhere near the mileage of your Insight, but I can also fit four or five comfortably - so it's a tradeoff

 

The 1996 Geo Metro sedan (automatic) has an EPA rating of 30/34. If you go to the manual (not as fair of a comparison), the EPA rating is 39/43. However, if it were only about FE, shouldn't you consider something on two wheels. The FE is irrelevant if it cannot carry what you need it to (passengers and/or cargo).

Also of note, the Geo Metro only has 70hp, is much smaller, less safe, doesn't burn as clean, etc. It's unfortunate that you compare the TCH to a Geo Metro and consider the TCH a disappointment.