Honda has promised that its newest hybrid, the Insight, would undercut the Toyota Prius by thousands of dollars, and today we finally got some concrete numbers. The Insight LX will have a list price of $19,800USD. For that, you get front, front-side, and curtain airbags, ABS, CVT transmission, automatic climate control, AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 input, and power windows.
Ante up to the up-level EX, and the price is $21,300. In addition to the LX’s equipment, the EX adds stability control, alloy wheels, paddle shifters, cruise control, improved stereo and other goodies. An EX with GPS Navigation and Bluetooth will set you back $23,100.ÂÂ
On price, Honda has already accomplished what it set out to do-undercut the Prius. A new Prius is about the hit the showroom floor later this spring, but according to Edmunds, the base model will cost $23,500; more than the top of the line Insight. While the Insight is rated at 40/43mpg city/highway, the Prius is rated at 50/49mpg.ÂÂ
Time will tell if fuel economy bragging rights will trump price between these two hybrids. The Prius is the undisputed king of all hybrids, and has a loyal following. Honda has played second fiddle to Toyota in this market. The first Insight was only available as a two-seater and the Civic Hybrid sedan has not enjoyed the success of the Prius. While the Civic Hybrid does not shout to the world how green you are, the new Insight does, and that could make all the difference.
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