Toyota recently released their new price for the 2010 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 Insight is now the least expensive hybrid out on the market in the U.S. 

The Eco Assist feature will improve fuel economy be making sure that the driver does not accelerate too much and therefore waste gas.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.An electric motor gives the engine a nice boost, this system is called the integrated motor assist or IMA. Th IMA system is cheaper to manufacture, lighter than the original, and adds to the overall interior space. Variable Valve Technology is used in the Insight motor which also helps perfomance.You can buy the Insight fully-loaded with such features as: satellite nav., paddle shiters on the steering wheel, alloy rims, an upgraded audio system, and of course cruise. Just looking at the Prius and Insight will give you some information that Honda is copying the Prius in design, form, and function. 

Opposite of the Insight, the 2010 Prius offers a 160-hp 1.8L engine and features three different driving modes. Those include ECO mode, which allows more of less pedal responsiveness for fuel economy, the EV mode that allows the vehicle to run only on battery power for ½ mile, and the Power Mode which increases pedal sensitivity for more responsive driving.The Pre-Collision system is available as an option on the Prius.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.

When it comes to price the Insight is hands down the winner, but the gas mileage rating is another story altogether.  The Honda has a reported 40-city mpg, 43-highway, and a combined mpg of 41; while the Prius has mpg of 48-city, 45-highway, and 46 of combined mpg.  So, if you commute 20,000 miles per year (and gas costs .50 a gallon), so driving the Insight would cost over 00 in fuel a year whereas the Prius would cost just over 00. 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.  So although the Prius gets better gas mileage; the Insight overcomes that hurdle by having such a low MSPR!

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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