Nice test. Surprising outcome.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0905_2010_honda_insight_vs_2010_toyota_prius_c omparison_test/index.html

1ST PLACE
HONDA INSIGHT
An imperfect car, loud and coarse-riding, and also perhaps the most important hybrid ever built.

2ND PLACE
TOYOTA PRIUS
The world's best hybrid has become more solid and refined, yet has somehow upped its fuel economy as well. It's an engineering triumph for the textbooks.

why did honda win? everything about the prius is better

Were I in the market for such a car the Prius would win the contract.

1ST PLACE
HONDA INSIGHT
An imperfect car, loud and coarse-riding, and also perhaps the most important hybrid ever built.

2ND PLACE
TOYOTA PRIUS
The world's best hybrid has become more solid and refined, yet has somehow upped its fuel economy as well. It's an engineering triumph for the textbooks.

why did honda win? everything about the prius is better

Apparently the estimated $3k price difference was enough for the author of the article to pick the Insight over the Prius.

This is one instance where I must say I'd buy the Toyota over the Honda in a heartbeat. The Prius is more useable, has more features, and gets better mileage for not much more (in the grand scheme of things). I can certainly appreciate Honda's effort here, but I think too much is sacrificed in the name of cost. I also think the Insight's interior is hideously busy, while the Toyota's is much sleeker.

I agree with the comment above. I would take the Toyota here.

I still don't understand why these hybrids have to have this "fastback hatchback" styling. I know it probably reduces drag a little bit, but com' on!

And I would also pick the Toyota - tried and proven drive train combo...

I still don't understand why these hybrids have to have this "fastback hatchback" styling. I know it probably reduces drag a little bit, but com' on!

And I would also pick the Toyota - tried and proven drive train combo...

In addition to being more aerodynamic, I think it's also a design that is selling. The original Prius was a small sedan, which didn't sell very well. The second gen Prius was a huge success, so it's likely that Honda decided to design the new Insight accordingly.

I still don't understand why these hybrids have to have this "fastback hatchback" styling. I know it probably reduces drag a little bit, but com' on!

And I would also pick the Toyota - tried and proven drive train combo...
The Honda powertrain is proven too in 7th/8th gen Civic Hybrid so I don't get that arguement. Fully Loaded Insight EX-Navi $23k vs. $30k for loaded Insight. And Hondas cheaper hybrid system is stil yielding hi 60-low 70mpg. I'll take the honda any day. I do think honda should release an insight SI. Not a engine change but do sport suspension w/ 16/17in wheels to compete with toyo's sport pkg. But who knows, you may see some HFP bits for the Insight.

BTW, Toyota is doing a hybrid Yaris to compete at the price of the Insight. Its also time for Acura to to hybrid engines for their SUV's and sedans.

Its also time for Acura to to hybrid engines for their SUV's and sedans.

While I am usually for that kind of thing, I really don't think that doing said thing would be a wise choice. Hybrids, IMO, are not the answer. They are not cost efficient at all. Unless you plan to keep a hybrid for like 20 years, you will never make up the difference in initial cost.

What makes it worse is that Honda's hybrid system doesn't put out the numbers like others do. It would just be another nail in Acura's coffin IMO. :thumbsdow

Fully Loaded Insight EX-Navi $23k vs. $30k for loaded Insight.

I think you meant "$30k for loaded Prius".

The Honda powertrain is proven too in 7th/8th gen Civic Hybrid so I don't get that arguement. Fully Loaded Insight EX-Navi $23k vs. $30k for loaded Insight. And Hondas cheaper hybrid system is stil yielding hi 60-low 70mpg. I'll take the honda any day. I do think honda should release an insight SI. Not a engine change but do sport suspension w/ 16/17in wheels to compete with toyo's sport pkg. But who knows, you may see some HFP bits for the Insight.I wasn't trying to incinuate that Honda's powertrain isn't reliable, but I was basically saying that from what I read, it doesn't appear that Honda has combined this engine type with this transmission/hybrid type. I'm sure its still good, though. At the same time, I think its rather funny that they up-ed the displacement on the Prius, but Honda makes almost the same numbers on less...

In addition to being more aerodynamic, I think it's also a design that is selling. The original Prius was a small sedan, which didn't sell very well. The second gen Prius was a huge success, so it's likely that Honda decided to design the new Insight accordingly.I think it didn't help that the original Prius was really a rebadged Echo, but then again, who would want a car so small that it can't be used for anything but commuting? The "larger" sizes make it a great multi-purpose vehicle for most people/families. But still, there are sedan's out there that I'm sure have the same or better Cd than the current trend....

I think it didn't help that the original Prius was really a rebadged Echo, but then again, who would want a car so small that it can't be used for anything but commuting? The "larger" sizes make it a great multi-purpose vehicle for most people/families. But still, there are sedan's out there that I'm sure have the same or better Cd than the current trend....

By having a hatchback, it offers more cargo space than a sedan.

Hmm...seems to me the Toyota is the true winner once again. Oh well, I think there will be many more reviews that state just that...Toyota will beat out the Honda in the end.

I wasn't trying to incinuate that Honda's powertrain isn't reliable, but I was basically saying that from what I read, it doesn't appear that Honda has combined this engine type with this transmission/hybrid type. I'm sure its still good, though. At the same time, I think its rather funny that they up-ed the displacement on the Prius, but Honda makes almost the same numbers on less...

The engine and electric motor are essentially the same. They are just tweaked for efficiency and cost control.

The gasoline motor is the same 1.3 liter unit, but with reduced internal friction and 2-stage VTEC instead of 3-stage VTEC. There's no 'VTEC kick' because 1 of the VTEC modes is 'close valves' which eliminates pumping loss when only the electric motor is driving the car (typically at low cruising speed).

The electric motor is essentially a scaled-down version of the 20 HP unit found on the Civic Hybrid. This motor is thinner and lighter, and makes 13 HP.

The CVT is as far as I know, essentially the same unit as the model in the Civic Hybrid, but it is programmed for more performance at low speeds.

Hmm...seems to me the Toyota is the true winner once again. Oh well, I think there will be many more reviews that state just that...Toyota will beat out the Honda in the end.

Only the long term sales figures will tell, but the Insight is doing extremely well. I wouldn't count on Toyota winning the hybrid battle.

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/blog/eyeonasia/archives/2009/03/hondas_insight.html

Honda has already sold 18k units in February alone.

I don't remember where I read this, but the average Prius buyer in Japan is in their 40's or 50's. Younger people in their 20's and 30's are buying the Insight, probably because of its price and because they don't need the bigger car. These people are going to stay with Honda if the Insight works well for them.

What Honda now needs is a larger midsize Hybrid to compete with the Prius. What Toyota needs is a smaller hybrid to build brand loyalty among younger consumers.

Let's not leave out the Ford Fusion hybrid either. A lot of people hate the Jellybean form factor of the Prius and Insight. Any news article I see about these cars inevitably has readers commenting that these cars look awful. There's a sizable market for a midsize hybrid that is regular looking and fun to drive. The Fusion wins practically every review comparison versus the Camry Hybrid.

What Honda now needs is a larger midsize Hybrid to compete with the Prius. What Toyota needs is a smaller hybrid to build brand loyalty among younger consumers.

Let's not leave out the Ford Fusion hybrid either. A lot of people hate the Jellybean form factor of the Prius and Insight. Any news article I see about these cars inevitably has readers commenting that these cars look awful. There's a sizable market for a midsize hybrid that is regular looking and fun to drive. The Fusion wins practically every review comparison versus the Camry Hybrid.

I'm not sure how many potential Prius and Insight owners will be cross shopping the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Fusion is a bigger vehicle (midsize), gets "worse" gas mileage (EPA estimated 41 city/36 hwy MPG) and will be priced more than both. More likely potential midsize hybrid shoppers will be looking at the Fusion Hybrid as well as the Altima Hybrid, Malibu Hybrid and Camry Hybrid.

Honda didn't have much luck with the Accord Hybrid, so it's hard to say if they'll try again. Granted, they thought (incorrectly) that hybrid buyers would be willing to give up some gas mileage in exchange for performance.

As far as having a car to compete with the Prius, I think to some extent they already do... the Civic Hybrid.

The Insight may not surpass the Prius, but I think it'll do pretty well. It may not be as refined as the Prius, but it's also less expensive.

Here's an article from Car and Driver about their test drive of the Insight...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/honda_acura_central/2009_honda_insight_ex_road_test

I test drove an insight the other day, it was very interesting. First thing I noticed was the power steering: the car was very easy to maneuver in parking lots and at low speeds.
I also liked the interior of the insight. The speedometer has this blue/green aura that changes with respect to your current efficiency.

However, I found that the power was very lacking, as even when the CVT held the engine at 6K I still felt like prayer was needed for the on-ramps. I was also disappointed that the electric motor didn't really propel the car like it does in a prius; instead the engine would always cut back in whenever the brakes were released.

Overall the car felt cut-down price wise to compete with the more costly prius. I would gladly pay the extra bucks and get a prius for the quality feel alone.

A lot of people hate the Jellybean form factor of the Prius and Insight. Any news article I see about these cars inevitably has readers commenting that these cars look awful. There's a sizable market for a midsize hybrid that is regular looking and fun to drive. The Fusion wins practically every review comparison versus the Camry Hybrid.

Agreed! As long as a hybrid looks like a hybrid and drive's like a snail, I won't be in the market. Not my thing. My mom loves her Civic Hybrid, but I loath to drive it. Much of her reasoning behind the Civic was that it was a better compromise than the Prius.

I hate the looks of the Prius (and Insight).

I saw one at my dealer today....
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/Honda247_2008/DSC00245.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/Honda247_2008/DSC00244.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq359/Honda247_2008/DSC00246.jpg
This one was an LX. There was an EX Navi on the show room floor, but its $2k more.