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Insight to Prius and other hybrid choices
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Insight to Prius and other hybrid choices compares these two popular hybrid cars (and other vehicles) looking for additional considerations, over and above performance criteria. There is a lot more to consider than just gas mileage when buying a hybrid. The way you use your vehicle should be a determining factor in your purchases decision. You need to assess some other features you will come to appreciate after you have purchased one of these hybrids. This article will compare functionality ( interior roominess, cargo capacity, etc.) to see how each performs. There are some subtle differences which may impact your owning experience. You may not realize these differences until you bump up against them after your purchase.
The basic performance features are good for both the Insight and the Prius. They both use hybrid technology to increase gas mileage (51 mpg for Prius and 41mpg for Insight ). There is about a $2200 difference in base cost ( Insight $19,800, Prius $22,000 ).If you visit Edmunds.com and read reviews of these vehicles, you will find folks claiming up to 51 mpg for the Insight in city driving. Using manufacturer specs based on EPA estimates, there is a difference of 10 mpg favoring the Prius. This amounts to 25% more efficiency or lower gas costs approaching $175 over 15,000 miles. Handling, braking, acceleration, safety, and styling can all be compared at the manufacturers site using the links below. Often not considered at the time of purchase, but essential to one's happiness of ownership, is how the vehicle handles everyday functions. There are some differences you may wish to consider between the Insight and the Prius.
Both vehicles have about the same head room (38.4 in vs. 38.6 in) and leg room (42.3 in vs 42.5 in ). There is a difference in overall length (172.3 in vs. 175.6 in) and width (66.7 in vs. 68.7 in) with the Prius being larger. This doesn't seem to important at first, but it does translate into functionality and overall comfort when using your vehicle. The total cabin capacity of the Insight is 85 cubic feet. The Prius sports 93.7 cubic feet or 10.24% more interior "comfort " space in the passenger section. There are times when you go shopping for groceries, gardening items, travel with suit cases, or haul sports equipment, where extra space is needed, and appreciated. The Prius has 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space vs. 15.9 cubic feet for the Insight. These 5.7 more cubic feet provide over 35% more cargo space. This is about the space occupied by one large piece of luggage. If you travel a lot, this might become a significant decision factor when comparing the two vehicles. Other non-performance considerations include the ease of entry and exit, seat belt buckling protocols, child features, instrumentation preferences, sight lines, seating profiles, finishing details, garage footprint, and fit and finish characteristics.
There are other considerations when making "greener" driving choices as I have mentioned in past articles (Greener driving choices) you may want to consider. A great web site to visit is www.greenercars.org. which shows you many popular makes compared side by side. Tampa Bay drivers can make a better assessment of their options by doing research like this. Crossover vehicles are coming to the market with EPA mileage claims in excess of 30MPG. The Chevy Equinox is claiming 32 MPG and Honda has a vehicle coming soon called a Crosstour. The Ford Escape hybrid (31 mpg) also deserves serious consideration based on its excellent performance record. Hyundai has the Elantra Touring sedan which may accommodate your needs. Your investigation may show one of the "cross" type choices is the better for the way you use a vehicle. These vehicles perform well for family transportation with moderate storage capability. When the seats are lowered, these vehicles have over 63 cubic feet of cargo space. This extra capacity comes in nicely when golfing, fishing, camping, etc. If a new hybrid is out of your price reach, good used hybrids are starting to become available. Click on the Autotrader or Myride links below to find Tampa Bay area used hybrids.
Your car can be environmentally friendly, and very user friendly at the same time. It just takes a little time, a little less emotion, and a thoughtful process of how you will use your car to make sure it has the functionality you will need on a day to day basis. With all the choices of fine cars in the market place, you can consider more than just the Insight and Prius brands to help you make careful, and prudent "greener" car buying decisions. At the heart of any green discussion is the health, welfare, and safety of the human body. When you boil all the green rhetoric down, this is the foundational basis for the "going green" worldwide movement...protection, preservation and prospering of the human body. The selection of the right vehicle can add to all three of these conditions, increasing your personal experience of ownership. Now, you have additional insight.
automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/
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