Insight Into A New Generation Of Honda

When people start talking Hybrid, no doubt the first thing that comes to mind is the Toyota Prius – and for good reason. For the past 10 years or so, the Prius has ruled the Hybrid road. Not many other hybrids have given the Prius a run for its money, let alone come out on top. Other models either fall short in gas mileage, horsepower or price.

Now, the automotive world is introduced to the new Honda Insight. It has improved leaps and bounds since it was first launched back in 1999. For the current budget crunching consumers of today’s economy, the Insight could be just the answer they are looking for. There has been an obvious slowdown in car sales which is the first reason why the Insight could be the next big thing. The Insight’s base sticker price comes in about $3000 under the Toyota Prius. You don’t have to be a math whiz to know that’s a significant chunk of change to save. Even if a buyer splurges for a fully loaded Insight, it won’t cost much more than a base model Prius.

In addition to the low price tag, the Insight keeps up relatively well with the Prius in gas mileage too. It gets an average of 41 mpg and while that is slightly under the Prius, (which comes in around 50mpg), the deficit shouldn’t make much of a difference in savings over the long run. The Insight also boasts a 1.3 liter gasoline engine that produces 88 horsepower with an electric motor that adds an additional 13 horsepower. That will get you up to about 30mph without the help of the gasoline engine. The electric engine also utilizes regenerative braking. In other words, the electric motor charges the battery when the brakes are applied. Despite two different engine types working in tandem, the switch is virtually seamless. The gasoline crankshaft never stops spinning so there is no noisy rumbling when it kicks in.

The Insight is significantly smaller than the Prius which can be seen as a positive or negative depending on a consumer’s situation. The backseat is noticeably tighter so it may not be the most efficient choice for a growing family. But, for an earth conscious singleton or a newly married couple, it could be the perfect choice. Reviewers out there have also mentioned that the Insight produces a significant amount of road noise but that seems like a small sacrifice when you are saving some green.

While hybrids are still relatively new to the car scene, auto makers are making considerable improvements. It looks as though hybrid is the way of the future and more consumers are turning to these cars to help save them money. With their incredible fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly features they are quickly becoming consumers’ top choice. Hybrids not only save consumers money at the gas tank but at tax time as well. Depending on the Hybrid, consumers could see up to a $3000 tax credit, and who doesn’t like a break from the government?

So, watch your back Prius, the 2010 Honda Insight is making a run and looking good doing it. If you are thinking about getting yourself into a new hybrid vehicle, make sure you take a look at the Insight. And who knows, you could even be one of the lucky ones to be a part of the cash for clunkers program making the purchase of a new hybrid even lighter on the wallet. Get out there and take some test drives and compare the stats. You might be surprised at the end of the day that the second generation Insight trumps the legendary Prius when it comes to fulfilling all your wants and needs in a new hybrid vehicle.