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 Insight is now the least expensive hybrid out on the market 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.An electric motor gives the engine a nice boost, this system is called the integrated motor assist or IMA. This new technology further reduces weight, saves on manufacturering costs, and adds to the overall cabin space. Variable Valve Technology is used in the Insight motor which also helps perfomance.  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. Just looking at the Prius and Insight will give you some information that Honda is copying the Prius in design, form, and function. 

Opposite of the Insight, the 2010 Prius offers a 160-hp 1.8 liter engine uses 3 modes of operation. These 3 moeds include the power mode which of course adds more power, the EV mode which allows the Prius to run on electricity alone, and the ECO mode which nets the best fuel economy.An accessory on the Prius that is aimed at driver safety is called the precollision system.Just set the PCS and the Prius will slow down by itself if the car ahead of you suddenly hits his brakes. The touch sensor system relocates certain buttons onto the steering wheel to lessen driver distraction.

Yes the Insight is much cheaper than the Prius, but the Prius does get much better fuel economy.  The Honda has a reported 40-city mpg, 43-highway, and a combined mpg of 41; while the Prius has mpg of 48-city, 45-highway, and 46 of combined mpg.If you drive over 20,000 miles in a year (with gas costing .50 a gallon), you would spend 19 in fuel on the Insight and 86 on the Prius. At this rate it would take over 25 years to recover the cost you spent on a Prius where yearly gas savings are concerned.Yes the Prius gets much better fuel economy, but the low starting price of the Insight more than makes up for that difference!

NewHybrid Cars in Southern California, or buy a New Toyota Hybrid.  See great deals on the New toyota Prius in Northern California.

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