Article Comments - 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2009 Toyota Prius

73 messages, Last post on Oct 14, 2009 at 1:06 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, Car Comparisons, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2009 Toyota Prius - You might remember the original Honda Insight. When introduced in 1999, it was the first hybrid vehicle sold in the U.S.A., an affordable technical tour de force that achieved spectacular fuel economy by adding a battery-assisted electric motor to the powertrain. But as a diminutive two-seater, it certainly wasn't a car for the masses. (more)

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#64 of 73 '10 Prius vs '10 Insight by justlooking9 Aug 29, 2009 (4:16 am)
I test drove both before purchasing the Prius. The factors that lead me to buy a Prius were: For a family of four, the rear-seats had more room especially leg room. To stow and transport gear there was more storage area and the rear seats fold down for even more flexibility. The engine felt more powerful (1.8L vs 1.3L) and has better mileage. I liked the interior better (Prius IV w/leather) and the placement of the nav screen. I also really liked that I could play my iPod wirelessly (steaming bluetooth), instead of using an aux cable. Price wasn't a key factor, being more practical for my family was the main factor.
#65 of 73 I sat in an Insight Last Week by jpeters1970 Sep 06, 2009 (8:48 am)
I am only going to express my opinion with regards to the interior and fit and finish. I was out shopping with my parents for a new Honda Accord Coupe. I saw the Insight in the middle of the showroom and was surprised it wasn't showcased in a more visible area. I opened the doors, sat inside and immediately realized I would not enjoy the car. Egress into the vehicle is much more difficult than the Prius. I have a 2004 but I also have sat in the 2010. What's really nice about the Prius is that the egress is great and you really don't have to be a contortionist to enter. The Honda's door felt light and tinny and when I closed the door the lack of solidity really showed itself. The interior, though space pod like, lacked and continuity as other Hondas have. Overall, the feeling was that of cost cutting to get the price point below 20k. Then, lastly, you have the old IMA system which IMO is really a poor man's hybrid. You can't pulse/glide or even crawl in electric mode. Overall, this is the main reason that when the 2010 Prius was released, the sales of the Insight went way down. Buyers definitely cross shopped the two and decided the Prius (though more money) was better overall.
#68 of 73 Re: Insight Is Very Cheaply Put Together And Tinny [mikemartin] by jpeters1970 Sep 06, 2009 (9:15 pm)
Replying to: mikemartin (May 13, 2009 11:18 am) I agree with everything you say. The Fit has much more content and it is less expensive and more fun to drive. You have to be really foolish to buy an Insight when ten feet away in the showroom is the Fit. I think Honda realizes they did not get it right.
#69 of 73 Insight? by diezelha Sep 07, 2009 (12:26 pm)
Apparently the name they gave the vehicle is what Honda is lacking. They designed it to look like a Prius which is something I don't understand. It has gotten some bad press lately but I am surprised Honda of all companies would bring something like this to market. This almost reminds me of how Palm Computing designed the Pre and essentially copied Apple's iPhone. It backfired. The iPhone sells much more than the Pre. As some other poster mentioned, the Insight is just an also ran Prius. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Sep 24, 2009 3:55 pm)
#70 of 73 Re: Insight? [diezelha] by stevedebi Sep 24, 2009 (3:55 pm)
Replying to: diezelha (Sep 07, 2009 12:26 pm) "As some other poster mentioned, the Insight is just an also ran Prius." Oh, I would have to disagree with that statement. Honda and Toyota have radically different ideas and engineering concepts. They will drive very differently. This explains why people think the Insight drives rougher, less refined. Well, Honda tends to engineer that way, whereas Toyota emphasizes ride. So I would characterize them as different, but in no way would most people consider them as alternatives - people will prefer one kind of engineering and design to the other. As to the shape, well, aerodynamics can't be altered, and there are only so many useful shapes for a small car. But I agree they could have made it more distinctive.
#71 of 73 prius style copied original insight style? by elias Sep 29, 2009 (8:48 am)
my recollection is that the honda insight established the unique hybrid-styling that is now mostly associated with Prius... (didn't the original honda insight come out before the 2nd gen Prius?) cheers... Replies to this message: wwest (Sep 30, 2009 7:55 am)
#72 of 73 Re: prius style copied original insight style? [elias] by wwest Sep 30, 2009 (7:55 am)
Replying to: elias (Sep 29, 2009 8:48 am) No, the "shape" comes from the Honda CRX.
#73 of 73 Re: wvgasguy-your answer to your post above [john1701a] by pielev09 Oct 14, 2009 (1:06 pm)
Replying to: john1701a (Aug 15, 2009 7:58 pm) The Prius 2010 has an electricmotorgen that is 33% lighter than the one on the Prius 2009. It also tolerates less tire slippage than the Prius 2009 according to Car and Driver who says the VSC is to aggressive and raises doubt on the capacity of the 2010 to be better than the 2009 in the snow (they even claim it will be worst) I do not know where you live but here in Sherbrooke Québec, we have to be prepared to go up hills and my experience with the 2008 was not very good. If you can prove to me that your winter is better with the 2010 I will be interesting to find out and perhaps buy the 2010. On the Lexus HS there is a feature that is not on the Prius 2010 that allows you to push a button when you have to go up a hill. This should also be on the Prius 2010 but is only available on the Lexus HS.