In 2007 I choose the prius over the HCH b/c of higher mpg even though it was a few thousand more.

If this insight is able to beat the 2010 prius for 10k less I wouldn't think twice about going with the insight were I to make the same decision today.

Toyota may have significantly missed something here by only upgrading the gen III prius to 50 mpg

as the cars.com guy says we'll have to wait and see...

It looks to me like the Prius will beat the Insight in many ways, looks and fuel economy are two examples.

2010 Honda Insight short take | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

"Maximum power from the combined engine-motor system is 98 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm, with 123 foot-pounds of torque available between 1,000 and 1,500 rpm. 13 horsepower and 58 foot-pounds are courtesy of the electric motor, which can be the sole power source in some circumstances, such as on level ground under light throttle at speeds under about 30 mph. EPA mileage estimates are 40 mpg city, 43 highway, and 41 combined. With curb weights varying between 2,723 pounds for the LX and 2,734 for an EX with the nav system, the Insight is about 150 pounds lighter than a Civic Hybrid."

but if gen III prius is 10k more all that stuff won't matter

$10k difference? Are you comparing a fully loaded $28k Prius to a stripped $18k Insight II?

• Smart Key system doesn't matter?
• Touchscreen MFD doesn't matter?
• Backup Camera doesn't matter?
• Navigation system doesn't matter?
• Bluetooth doesn't matter?
• Auto Dimming HomeLink rear view mirror doesn't matter?
• Leather seats doesn't matter?
• HID headlights doesn't matter?
• Mid-size space doesn't matter?
• 2 seconds faster acceleration doesn't matter?
• EV mode doesn't matter?
• Option to upgrade to PHEV doesn't matter?

Not to mention Moonroof and solar panels.

On that 65mpg condition by Insight, I'm sure I can perform more than 90mpg by my 2004 Prius.

Ken@Japan

The vehicles are not in the same market. The Insight is in the $19K and under market for those that "just want a car;" a "bare bones" vehicle. The Prius is in the $20K to $29K market for buyers that want all the extra amenities. I think Honda and Toyota have already made that pretty clear. Sure, for consumers in the "I want to spend $17K to $23K" market, there is some overlap, but that difference will be whether they want the nicer car or whether they want the basic, entry-level car.

To me who is looking to spend 25k on a car here is the rundown

· Smart Key system doesn't matter?
No, I am not lazy enough to need this
· Touchscreen MFD doesn't matter?
No, the touchscreen is #1 on things I don’t like about my prius
· Backup Camera doesn't matter?
No, I find this gets me into bad habits and is clearly safter not to use
· Navigation system doesn't matter?
No, Prius nav by all accounts sucks, and its way cheaper just to buy a garmin
· Bluetooth doesn't matter?
No, see above, garmins come with this feature for way less
· Auto Dimming HomeLink rear view mirror doesn't matter?
No, something you can clearly live without, especially b/c I don’t have a garage
· Leather seats doesn't matter?
No, I don’t have enough money for this
· HID headlights doesn't matter?
No, I HATE HID lights. Already had a problem in my prius with them
· Mid-size space doesn't matter?
No, for a few thousand less I can cope with a few less cubic feet
· 2 seconds faster acceleration doesn't matter?
No, mpg is my main motivation
· EV mode doesn't matter?
It does your right but a small price to pay
· Option to upgrade to PHEV doesn't matter?
No, b/c this is way beyond any economical sense

• One-Touch Power Windows

Not that lazy

• Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Lane Keep Assist

I can keep myself in my lane thank you very much

• Pre-Collision System

I know how to break

• Intelligent Parking Assist

I know how to park

• LED Headlights

I’m skeptical this will lead to other problems. They said replacing the citgo sign in Kenmore square in boston with led’s would make it more reliable. That didn’t work.

I found it comical that the driver in the first video mentioned that the Insight LX (lower end) model would not have a driver vanity mirror on the sun visor, and that it was eliminated to lower costs. Even my bare bones no A/C manual shift Toyota P/U from 1990 had a visor mirror.

I just watched the first video. That kid should be fired. "The Motor Trend way of driving." Yes, the green/eco test made sense, but then he says "Now for a more real world test." Sorry, but soccer moms and your average citizen do NOT do zero to sixties, throw the corner and keep their foot on the gas through the corner (on one of the corners, he almost flies onto the other side of the road), and power out of the curves. Sorry! Fail ! A real world test WOULD have the AC on, but the mpg would probably be somewhere inbetween the two. Maybe in the 40's mpg. "The Motor Trend way of driving." Is this his first week with the magazine? FYI: I've been subscribing to Motor Trend for many years. The normally do at least two tests on every vehicle: driving it hard (a "driver," but not a race car) and then driving it as a normal citizen would. If they have a "shoot out" competition, they will reserve an airfield or race track for the test. I think most Motor Trend editors would be offended that this kid thinks they drive like wreckless bandits everywhere they go. Note to Motor Trend editors: maybe you should edit the Youtube videos before you post them.

You clearly missed the multiple references to "How Motor Trend Editors Drive". His driving clearly looked like how an overzealous car enthusiast would take a nice twisty mountain road. He was also obviously trying to show a worst case scenario, so likely overdid it a bit, too.

He clearly did not say "How soccer moms drive". He clearly said "not scientific". He clearly said that they got around 44mpg on a a longer stretch driving "normally" and 60+mpg driving economically. What else do you want?

Nearly 30 mpg driving the way he was is impressive - most cars would be in the mid teens driven like that.

Maybe you should post your Motor Trend rants where Motor Trend editors might read them - instead of PriusChat. I highly doubt any Motor Trend editors follow this forum.