The realease of the Insight has ruffled a few feathers due to its price tag.The Insight is much cheaper than the Prius by a few grand. The cheap base price give the Insight the title of most affordable hybrid in the U.S.
The Eco Assist feature will improve fuel economy be making sure that the driver does not accelerate too much and therefore waste gas.The Honda has a driving setting that will either increase the performance of the vehicle or decrease the perfrmance in the hope of getting better fuel economy.The Insight uses the latest hybrid motor techniology called the IMA or integrated motor assist. This system in the next generation hybrids from Honda are greatly improved and result in reduced weight, cost savings, and greater cabin space. The Honda sports a VTEC motor that is connected to an automatic transmission. Features included on some Insight models are: alloy wheels, cruise control, 6 speaker audio with USB interface, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, Stability Assist, and a satellite navigation system with voice recognition. The Insight and the Prius are clear competitors but Honda is determined to knock Toyota out of the competitive market to become the hybrid leader.
Opposite of the Insight, the 2010 Prius offers a 160-hp 1.8 liter engine uses 3 modes of operation. Those include ECO mode, which allows more of less pedal responsiveness for fuel economy, the EV mode that allows the vehicle to run only on battery power for ½ mile, and the Power Mode which increases pedal sensitivity for more responsive driving.The Pre-Collision system is available as an option on the Prius.Adaptive Cruise Control uses a laser to keep the same distance between your car and the car infront of you, and the Prius will automatically apply brakes if needed. The Prius also includes a new touch sensor system on the steering wheel to ensure safe driving.
When it comes to price the Insight is hands down the winner, but the gas mileage rating is another story altogether.Early test put the Insight at a combine fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon, and the Prius is reported to get a 46 combined miles per gallon rating.Traveling more than 20,000 miles in only 365 days (when gas is .50 a gallon), owning the Honda would cost 19 in gas per year and owning a Prius would cost 86 per year. At this rate it would take over 25 years to recover the cost you spent on a Prius where yearly gas savings are concerned.The Toyota Prius does net a better MPG rating, yet the Honda is a better value due to its cheaper MSRP!
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