2010 Honda Insight

2010 toyota prius
Honda resurrected the Insight moniker for its new-for-2010 hybrid (top) and Toyota released a redesigned Prius for model-year 2010.

In the newly heated battle for fuel-sipping supremacy, both Honda and Toyota are introducing freshly minted hybrids this spring that are similar enough to
be direct competitors. Honda revives the Insight moniker for a new compact 4-door hatchback, while Toyota updates its Prius midsize 4-door hatchback with more power, better economy, a host of newly available features, and revised (but familiar) styling.

Although there are other hybrid vehicles available, Insight and Prius are in a league of their own. Not only are they among the top cars on the EPA’s fuel-economy charts, they also carry distinct styling that isn’t shared with any other model in their respective corporate families. In fact, they look more like each other than they look like other Hondas or Toyotas. And if the previous generations of the unique-looking Prius proved anything, it was that many people who purchase a hybrid want to stand out in a crowd.

Because buyers who previously defaulted to the Prius for peak economy and a “green” image now have a choice, we thought it might be worthwhile to do a side-by-side comparison of the Prius and Insight based on our test-drive experience and a review of their price lists. What we found, in a nutshell, is that there isn’t so much a winner here as that there is no loser.

Although the name of the game is economy, that can mean different things to different people. Without question, Prius carries the fuel-mileage crown with its EPA estimated 50 mpg city/49 mpg highway vs. Insight’s 40/43 rating.

However, Insight wins on base price, with the LX version boasting a $19,800 sticker compared to $22,000 for the Prius II (Prius currently comes in trim levels labeled II, III, IV, and V, but a lower-priced I version is due later in the year), and many argue that the $2,200 difference can buy a lot of gas.

But those dollar figures don’t tell the whole story.

Both cars come with a long list of standard equipment, including:
  • Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, ABS, and a tire-pressure monitor

  • Common amenities such as air conditioning, automatic transmission, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, and a CD player with MP3 plug

  • Tilt/telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, and split-folding rear seat
However, the Prius II also comes with features only available on the $21,300 Insight EX, including:
  • Traction control and antiskid system, both valuable safety features

  • The convenience of cruise control and heated outside mirrors
So if these features are also desired, the price difference drops to $700, which would also get you the Prius II’s cargo cover and keyless access and starting.

Offered on both models is a navigation system, but Prius’ includes satellite radio and a rearview camera. Furthermore, upper levels of the Prius offer (either as standard or optional) a host of luxury features not available on the Insight, including:
  • Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a universal garage-door opener.

  • Some really high-tech stuff such as a solar-powered ventilation system (to remove heat from the interior when the car is parked), lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control (which maintains a set following distance), and hands-free parallel parking.
As a result, a fully loaded Prius can top $31,000, but some of those items are rare on any car of this price.

Then there’s size. As mentioned earlier, Insight is considered a compact, while Prius is a midsize. There’s only about a 3-inch difference in overall length, but Prius is nearly 6 inches longer in wheelbase. It’s also about 300 pounds heavier, tipping the scales at 3,042 pounds vs. Insight’s 2,723. But Prius compensates for the added weight with a larger 1.8-liter engine and total engine/electric motor power output of 134 horsepower, vs. Insight’s 1.3-liter engine and total output of 98 horsepower.
Full Reviews
Click here to read our full review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Click here to read our full review of the 2010 Toyota Prius.

Click here to check out our 2009 Hybrid Vehicle Buying Guide.

Perhaps the best way to compare the two in performance and accommodations is to follow our typical drive-report format, but concentrate on the differences.

Acceleration
Score one for Prius. We timed a test Insight at a leisurely 11.4 seconds 0-60 mph. Toyota claims the Prius does the same sprint in 9.8 seconds, and though we haven’t had an opportunity to time it, it does feel quicker. Both are a bit slow off the line but pick up speed by about 15 mph. Both also exhibit great throttle response--if not neck-snapping power--at mid-range speeds, with “Sport” or “Power” settings that make the car seem even livelier in traffic, which makes them perfect for the daily commute. Transitions when the electric motors kick on and off are nearly indiscernible in either model.

Fuel Economy
Prius, though both cars achieved impressive figures. Our test Insight averaged 45.0 mpg over 600 miles of about 45 percent city driving, beating the EPA estimates. In similar driving over 490 miles, a test Prius averaged 52.0 mpg, also beating its EPA figures. Both tests consisted of mainly longer drives in warm weather--optimal circumstances.

Ride Comfort
Prius takes this category, too. Models with the standard 15-inch tires have an almost supple ride, and even the Prius V with its 17s absorbs rough pavement better than the Insight, which can feel somewhat brittle over bumps.

Steering/Handling
Insight. The same stiffish suspension that makes for a somewhat busy, hoppy ride allows little body lean in fast turns, making the Insight feel sportier than the Prius--at least any model south of the top-line Prius V with its 17-inch tires, which feels about like an Insight.

Quietness
Prius, largely by virtue of lower tire and wind noise at highway speeds. Neither engine sounds particularly sweet under even moderate acceleration, and both cars suffer some whine from the motor/generators at times.

Controls
It’s an area where the two differ substantially, with Insight having an edge. Insight’s speedometer and most relevant gauges and hybrid screens (power-flow diagrams and such) are mounted in the conventional position straight ahead of the driver, and there’s a neat “halo” over the speedometer that changes colors based on how economically you’re driving. Climate controls are handy and easy to decipher, while some audio controls--though mounted high on the dash--are a bit of a reach. By contrast, Prius places the speedometer and hybrid screens in the center of the dash near the windshield, out of direct line-of-sight (there’s just blank dashboard ahead of the steering wheel). Audio and climate controls are conventionally placed in a sloping panel that makes them easy to reach.

Details
Prius gets the nod here. Both interiors are swathed largely in hard plastic, but Prius adds some touches--particularly available two-toning--that give it a richer look.

Room/Comfort, Front
A draw. Kudos to both for a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat. Seats on both may be a bit soft for some tastes, but there’s plenty of room for taller folks. On the Insight, some drivers may find they catch their knee on the corner of the dash or their head on the roof upon exit. On both cars, visibility is bad only to the rear corners due to thick roof pillars, and both have a bar that separates the upper and lower rear windows that can block turn signals of following cars that intend to pass. Also on both, the rear wiper only clears the left two-thirds of the glass.

Room/Comfort, Rear
Prius gets the nod. Headroom in the Insight is only sufficient for those up to about 5’9, and if the front seats are pushed all the way back and down, toe space gets tight, as does legroom. Furthermore, door openings are small enough to restrict easy egress. Prius is larger in every way; six-footers should fit fine, though legroom could get tight for them behind a really tall driver, and the bigger doors make it easy to get in and out.

Cargo Room
Prius has a slight edge here, more for convenience than sheer volume. Both have split-folding rear seats and handy under-floor cargo bins. Prius not only comes with a cargo cover, but it can be stored in the underfloor bin when removed--a clever touch--and the floor is flat to the bumper; Insight has a slight lip. Both cars have protruding hatchlid latches that could knock your noggin, but you’d have to be very tall to hit the Prius’. There’s terrific small-item interior storage in both cars, but Prius’ is a bit better, with a large under-console bin big enough to hold a purse along with upper and lower gloveboxes.

Value
Depends on your needs, but everything considered, Prius seems to offer more for the money. However, despite its power deficit, the Insight is a sportier drive and its gauge setup--something you look at all the time--is better executed. If you don’t have to carry four large adults and are working on a tight budget, Insight might have an edge.

But what’s most impressive about both cars is that their prices aren’t out of line with others of the same size, and their thoughtful design and hatchback versatility would make them great choices even if they didn’t get such phenomenal fuel economy. With so much going for them, the Insight and Prius prove that hybrids aren’t just for “greenies” any more.

05.28.2009