Comparisons between the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are inevitable. Technologically, they are two of the most advanced cars ever offered to consumers. They also share the same raison d'être: to make more environmentally sound cars that a wide range of people will still want to own & drive. When it comes to reducing environmental impact, both the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are well beyond what other car makers are offering.

While they have a lot in common, there are some interesting differences between the Insight and Prius. I believe these differences are a good thing. In order for more environmentally sound vehicles to succeed in the marketplace, there needs to be diversity, as different people will look for different things in their cars.

Detailed comparison of Insight & Prius in terms of ...
Format & Features	Technology	Performance & Emissions
Step into each car and look around	How each car works	What each car achieves with this technology
Side-by-Side Summary ...

	Honda Insight	Toyota Prius (2nd generation / U.S. version)
Efficiency & Emissions
EPA Overall Green Vehicle Rating	(Among Subcompacts)	(Among Compacts)
Energy Efficiency (city/hwy mileage)	61 / 70 mpg (5 spd) 57 / 56 mpg (CVT)	52 / 45 mpg
HC, CO & NOx Emissions (As measured by xxLEV Standards)	ULEV (5 spd) SULEV (CVT)	SULEV
EPA Smog-Forming Emissions Test (lbs / 15,000mi)	7.9 - 11 (5 spd) Less than 1.0 (CVT)	Less than 1.0
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Not measured by xxLEV)	3.1 t/yr (5 spd) 3.4 t/yr (CVT)	4.0 t/yr
Range	~680 mi	~577 mi
Performance
Acceleration, 0-60mph	10.6s (Car & Driver)	13.0s (Car & Driver)
Features
Format	3 door, 2 seat coupe	4 door, 5 seat sedan
Transmission	5 speed manual or CVT Automatic	CVT Automatic
Technology
Propulsion	Charge-sustaining gas/electric hybrid	Charge-sustaining gas/electric hybrid
Body Construction	Aluminum alloy monocoque	Conventional steel body
Aerodynamic Drag	0.25 cd	0.29 cd
Price (U.S. Dollars)	$18,980 - 5 spd, no A/C $20,180 - 5 spd, A/C $21,180 - CVT	$20,485 U.S. (/w A/C)

Editor's Note: I've endeavored to make this comparison as fair and accurate as possible. Thanks go to the many people, including Honda & Toyota representatives, who've helped to gather & review this information.

Please send us a message if you have any feedback about this comparison. If you are choosing between the Insight and Prius, I would also be interested to know which car you end up choosing, and why.

See also: john1701a.com - the de facto Toyota Prius owner web site