The Volt was conceived as fundamentally being an electric car with an onboard gas generator to extend range. The production reality is not quite the same as the original conception.
The Prius was conceivec as fundamentally being an i ternal combustion engine powered car with electric boost and energy recapture. That it is, and love it or hate it, the car works as conceived. They’re sort of bland appliances and do not appeal to me personally. But, there is abso,utely nothing questionable or unreliable about their drivetrain. They’re the gold standard of hybrid gas/electric passenger cars.
I agree with everything you’ve said.