The Battle of the 2010 Hybrids
by myarticle on Dec.25, 2009, under Uncategorized
Honda has announced the price tag on the new Insight.The Insight is much cheaper than the Prius by a few grand. The lower MSRP earns the 2010 Insight the title of most affordable hybrid in the U.S.
The Insight offers an ECO Assist system which enhances fuel economy further by controlling acceleration rates and helping the driver drive learn how to drive more economically. It improves performance through the ECON™ button, which controls certain functions of the car, and gives feedback through an ECO scoring system that lets you monitor driving performance as well as gives more incentive to drive green.The integrated motor assist helps out the puny hybrid engine by giving it a horepower boost via and electric motor. This new technology further reduces weight, saves on manufacturering costs, and adds to the overall cabin space. The Insight also has an i-VTEC® engine equipped with a CVT (continuously variable transmission).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.
On the other side of the coin, the Toyota Prius has a 160 horsepower 1.8L motor has a couple of different driving settings. 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.An accessory on the Prius that is aimed at driver safety is called the precollision system.A laser is used to keep the same amount of distance as the car ahead of you in order to prevent any accidents. Toyota has a new system of buttons on the steering wheel that will help keep the driver safe.
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.If you drive over 20,000 miles in a year (with gas costing .50 a gallon), so driving the Insight would cost over 00 in fuel a year whereas the Prius would cost just over 00. At this rate it would take over 25 years to recover the cost you spent on a Prius where yearly gas savings are concerned.Even though the Toyota nets better MPG, the Honda is still a better value due to its low price!
Buy a Hybrid in Southern California, or buy a Used Prius Hybrid. See great deals on the New toyota Prius in Northern California.
