The Battle of the 2010 Hybrids
Toyota has announced the cost for the new Prius. With a MSRP of ,500 on the Prius is a few thousand dollars more expensive than its main competitor; the Honda Insight, which has a MSRP of ,800. The lower MSRP earns the 2010 Insight the title of most affordable hybrid in the U.S.
The Eco Assist feature will improve fuel economy be making sure that the driver does not accelerate too much and therefore waste gas.The Honda has a driving setting that will either increase the performance of the vehicle or decrease the perfrmance in the hope of getting better fuel economy.An electric motor gives the engine a nice boost, this system is called the integrated motor assist or IMA. This system in the next generation hybrids from Honda are greatly improved and result in reduced weight, cost savings, and greater 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. The Toyota has been the reigning king of the hybrid market for years now, but with the low price of the Insight, Honda is aiming to take away that title.
Opposite of the Insight, the 2010 Prius offers a 160-hp 1.8L engine and features three different driving modes. 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. The Prius also has a PCS, Pre- Collision System, available. This system comes equipped with a radar that constantly measures the distance of the car ahead and presumably adjusts brake pressure when probability of frontal collision is high. The Prius also includes a new touch sensor system on the steering wheel to ensure safe driving.
Even though the Insight has won the batlle of the price tags, the Prius still has a better MPG rating.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.Traveling more than 20,000 miles in only 365 days (when gas is .50 a gallon), the Toyota would only cost just over 00 every year and the Honda would come in 0 more. When you drive a Prius, the amount of gas saved compared to an Insight is about 53 gallons, so to cover the lower price you would have to drive for 27 years.Yes the Prius gets much better fuel economy, but the low starting price of the Insight more than makes up for that difference!
Buy a Hybrid in Southern California, or buy a Used Prius Hybrid. See great deals on the New toyota Prius in Northern California.
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Tags: automobiles, Cars, civic, Honda, Hybrid, hybrids, new, prius, Toyota, used
