What to Buy – An Insight or a Prius.
Honda has announced the price tag on the new Insight. With a MSRP of ,500 on the Prius is a few thousand dollars more expensive than its main competitor; the Honda Insight, which has a MSRP of ,800. 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 ECO socring helps the drive to have a system that allows for the best fuel economy, which is related back to the operator in the form of a miles per gallon readout.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. Variable Valve Technology is used in the Insight motor which also helps perfomance.The Insight has some great accessories that can be added onto the base model such as: a Blue Tooth six-speaker sound system, rims, vehicle control assist, F-1 inspired paddle shifters, and a navigation system. 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 1.8L engine and features three different driving modes. The EV mode allows the Prius to run on battery power alone, the ECO mode’s responsibility is to ensure the optimum gas mileage is obtained, and then the Power Mode give more power and throttle response.Toyota has a new Smart Collision system called the PCS which is available on the new Prius.Just set the PCS and the Prius will slow down by itself if the car ahead of you suddenly hits his brakes. The Prius also includes a new touch sensor system on the steering wheel to ensure safe driving.
Although the Honda is the cheaper of the hybrid competitors, the Prius has the better fuel efficiency and is noticeably larger than the Insight.Recent fuel economy test give the Honda Insight a rating of 41 MPG; while the Toyota Prius ranks at an impressive 46 MPG. So, if you commute 20,000 miles per year (and gas costs .50 a gallon), owning the Honda would cost 19 in gas per year and owning a Prius would cost 86 per year. So say you shell out that higher price for the Prius, yes you save 53 gallons of gas per year, but it will take 27 years of driving to recover that money via gas savings.Ok the Prius gets way better fuel economy, yet the Insight makes up the difference with its low starting price!
Certified Hybrid in Southern California, or buy a Used Toyota Hybrid . See great deals on the New toyota Prius in Northern California.
