Prius Accessories and Hybrid Car Parts

2010 Prius and 2010 Insight. My 2 Cents

May 29, 2009

Choice is always good news for consumers.
Honda and Toyota have staked out different territories and some might say this is a battle. I say it is great for Hybrid consumers. Competition is good!

Both cars use small, four-cylinder gasoline engines and electric motors. The Insight has an 88-horsepower, 1.3-liter engine and a 13-hp electric motor, for a total of 98 hp.

The Prius has a larger 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine and an 80-hp electric motor for a combined 134 hp, which Toyota says is a 24-hp improvement over the previous generation. Clearly more engine and power. The larger engine has more torque and generates more power at lower RPMs. This lowers emissions and gives you better fuel economy.

While both can run on electric power alone while cruising, the Prius can start and accelerate in electric-only mode. This is very similar to the technology from JuicedHybrid.com. Our EVMode feature has been offered for the Second Generation Prius. This option allows you to drive at low speeds for about a mile or so.

The 2010 Insight is definitely the cheapest hybrid on the market and will certainly be an attractive purchase option for many looking to enter the Hybrid Market. It now makes financial sense for consumers at fewer than $ 20,000 dollars. The all-new 2010 Prius will have four different standard equipment packages starting at about $22,000 dollars. The looks are not all that different. Honda may say the Insight’s exterior combines design cues from the original Insight model. But it really looks like the Prius.

The third-generation Prius may lack the price advantage, but it leads the market when it comes to fuel economy. The 2010 Prius has a 50 mpg combined rating while the Insight is rated at a 41 mpg combined. A big advantage. Go Prius!

When I sat in the Prius I noted it had much more cargo and rear seat capacity than the Insight. Not a huge difference, but it was noticeable.

Both cars are winners here and either is a good choice for buyers.

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