IMHO, "power" auto enthusiasts like Edmunds just don't get it. It might cost $1100 more to operate a Prius over the Aveo for each $15,000 miles, but what about the difference in maintenance and reliability costs? Also, what about the difference in emissions? A cheaper short-term cost of ownership might end up in a much higher long-term cost, due to maintenance, emissions contributing to who knows what, etc., not to mention depreciation, than for something like the Prius. An Aveo won't be worth much in a few years while a Prius holds its resale value for a much longer time.
For being a supposedly "expert" site on autos, Edmunds seems to be grounded firmly in outdated concepts that they have not, as of yet, been able to discard. I think they should get with the program and realize that times have changed, and a "hot" car is much more than having hundreds of useless horses under the hood.