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Honda and Toyota Face Off with New and Updated Hybrids
January 14, 2009
While many automakers are looking to the future with various types of electric vehicles, for now the battle for fuel efficiency is still being won by hybrid vehicles. That battle took on a decidedly retro feel at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, where Honda Motor Company unveiled the revived version of its Honda Insight, while Toyota Motor Corporation revealed the third-generation version of the Toyota Prius. But although those names are strongly reminiscent of the situation back in 2000, the details have changed dramatically over the past nine years.
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Honda unveiled the 2010 Insight at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Enlarge this image. |
The original Honda Insight, released in the 2000 model year, was a two-seat hatchback with a combined fuel economy of 65 miles per gallon (mpg), although that number would fall to 53 mpg under the recently revised standards, according to fueleconomy.gov. Unfortunately, sales of the diminutive car were always anemic. Honda plans to break depart from that history with the new Insight, slated to be released in April. To be labeled as a 2010 model, the new Honda Insight seats five, yet still achieves a fuel economy of 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. But Honda's main emphasis for the new model is affordability, as the 2010 Honda Insight will be priced below the cost of the Honda Civic Hybrid. See the Honda press release.
In contrast to the original Honda Insight, the 2001 Toyota Prius, introduced in late 2000, was a four-door, five-passenger sedan with a combined fuel economy of 48 mpg, although that figure would drop to 41 mpg under today's standards, according to fueleconomy.gov. It quickly became the best-selling hybrid in the world. The third-generation model still seats five, but it's a roomier, more powerful vehicle that achieves a combined fuel economy of 50 mpg. Although it looks quite similar to the second-generation Prius, the 2010 Prius is more aerodynamic. It also has a 20% lighter electric drive system and a larger, more powerful engine. Among the available added features for the new Prius is a solar-powered ventilation system to cool the car while it is parked. Although pricing for the new vehicles has not been announced, the Prius is expected to cost more than the Insight. But only time will tell which vehicle will prove more popular. See the Toyota press release.
Toyota's Lexus division also adds a new wrinkle to the competition, with the debut of the first dedicated luxury hybrid. The 2010 HS 250h, available in late summer, combines a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system to generate a combined 187 horsepower. The vehicle will be most fuel efficient in the Lexus lineup, but Toyota has not released an estimated fuel economy or price for the new vehicle. The HS 250h is considered to be an entry-level vehicle for the luxury market. See the Toyota press release.