IS350jet

It's a gawd awful mess!! It kinda reminds me of the Mitsubishi Starion in the movie "Canon Ball Run".

-J-P-L-

I'm really starting to get annoyed by this question as I've heard it approximately 14 trillion times.

AERODYNAMICS play a critical role in optimizing fuel efficiency, the primary focus of the Prius and Insight. Why not ask why Toyota doesn't make it in the shape of a Hummer? Dude!

And personally, I like these shapes as do many other people. If you want a "normal" car, get one.

bagwell

Edmunds has Insight the base MSRP at $17000, but more realistic price will be $19000 (LX), unknown price for the EX with aluminum wheels/cruise/etc -- equipment which would make it more similarly equipped to the base Prius.


40/43 mpg estimated figures aren't bad for a "mild" hybrid....it cannot drive at all on just battery power. I agree Honda didn't try that hard....I don't know why they didn't go for a full hybrid.

I can only image what kind of nasty plastic wheel covers Honda will slap on the the base model...some of their (aluminum) wheels lately have been just horrible.

LexFather

LMFAO!!!!!!

It looks like some techno POntiac interior with those circular vents. Yall remember old Pontiacs with tons of circle vents?

wmb0000

I actually like the front of the honda and the rear of the prius.

As for interior, both are ugly to me.

spwolf

yeah, except HS gets 0.27 with sedan shape, and LS gets 0.26 with sedan shape.

I think it is quite realistic that Honda wanted "hybrid (prius)" look at lower price, so people will be able to say, hey it is almost the same car, for 5k less...

so far price has been estimated, around 18k, although at detroit, Honda officials said that they will try "hard" to get it under 20k price... so until we get the price, we wont know for sure.

TLe2006

I like the gauges in the insight more but the navi seems out of reach and out of place.

rogers2

I find both cars terrible. The Honda looks better and problem will drive better. Toyota interior looks better than the Honda.

Please! If you purchase one of these vehicles stay out the fast lane. At least in the DC Metro area.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I dont think anyone is saying it's the most efficient design. However, it's probably the most efficient design when it comes to compromising aerodynamics and interior volume. If the HS is similarly sized as the prius and it has better cabin interior, Toyota would be dumb not to put the Prius in sedan form. I highly doubt that's the case though.

habeeb89

iTrader: (3)

The ext. is not so much of Honda copying, but it's a really efficient design aerodynamically, the int. I like the Honda's better. I hate that center tier speedo on the prius and some of the Scions.

IS-SV

I agree, that Honda dash is one of the worst in the business.

IS-SV

Agreed, ugly and slow what a combo.

wmb

Actually it's not the car it's the driver.

SLegacy99

Why would I buy an Insight? Net HP: 98 (compared to Prius' 110, and 134 in the new model).

Fuel economy: 40/43. It would be more cost effective to get a Corolla me thinks.

http://automobiles.honda.com/insight...up=engineering

Nextourer

Price. Remember that Honda is aiming to offer the most affordable hybrid. Honda's engineers said that it could get better mileage but then it would cost more. Initial mpg figures from magazines are around 50mpg. Not bad esp. if it's rated at 40/43.

Naturally, I'd prefer a Prius. I've hit 60mpg once on a full tank. I have no doubt that after the car's broken in and given a great commute, I'll break 60mpg once again