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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 Insight offers an ECO Assist system which enhances fuel economy further by controlling acceleration rates and helping the driver drive learn how to drive more economically.The ECO socring helps the drive to have a system that allows for the best fuel economy, which is related back to the operator in the form of a miles per gallon readout.   At the heart of this hybrid is the latest integrated motor assist system, also known as the IMA® system. Th IMA system is cheaper to manufacture, lighter than the original, and adds to the overall interior space. I-VTEC helps the Insight where power and efficiency is concerned.  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 1.8 liter engine uses 3 modes of operation. The EV mode allows the Prius to run on battery power alone, the ECO mode’s responsibility is to ensure the optimum gas mileage is obtained, and then the Power Mode give more power and throttle response.  The Prius also has a PCS, Pre- Collision System, available.Adaptive Cruise Control uses a laser to keep the same distance between your car and the car infront of you, and the Prius will automatically apply brakes if needed. The touch sensor system relocates certain buttons onto the steering wheel to lessen driver distraction.

Yes the Insight is much cheaper than the Prius, but the Prius does get much better fuel economy.Right now the MPG ratings for the new Insight are at 40 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway, and the Prius comes in at 48 MPG city and 45 MPG on the highway.If you drive over 20,000 miles in a year (with gas costing .50 a gallon), you would spend 19 in fuel on the Insight and 86 on the Prius. So say you shell out that higher price for the Prius, yes you save 53 gallons of gas per year, but it will take 27 years of driving to recover that money via gas savings.The Toyota Prius does net a better MPG rating, yet the Honda is a better value due to its cheaper MSRP!

Buy a Hybrid in Southern California, or buy a Used Toyota Hybrid .  See great deals on the New toyota Prius in Northern California.

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