Updated 1/20/12

2012 Prius vs 2012 Honda Insight

january 2012

Look inside for detailed info about this summary, important safety information and disclaimers.

Top Prius Two Advantages Over Insight EX

Honda used the Insight name on its first hybrid, a two-seater that some say looked like it came from a science-fiction movie. It was sold from 1999 to 2006. The Insight considered here is a five-seater introduced in 2009 as a 2010.

For 2012, Insight receives a few exterior and interior aesthetic tweaks, such as blue-tinted headlight covers, a new grille, revised front and rear spoilers and a slight improvement in rear head room. Mechanically, however, Insight remains essentially unchanged.

� mAny SAfETy fEATurESToyota knows how important safety is, so Prius has a generous complement of features.

• Driver’s knee airbag While both Insight and Prius have many of the same airbags, only Prius goes the extra mile by including a driver’s knee airbag.

• four-wheel disc brakes Prius uses disc brakes on all four wheels for extra braking confidence. Insight uses older-style drum brakes in the rear.

� AwArD-wInnIng VAluEOver the years, Prius has been showered with awards from many industry experts. Specifics about these awards are detailed inside this Edge.

• Best overall value Prius was named a best overall value nine years in a row.

• most dependable Prius was ranked “Most Dependable Compact Car” four years in a row.

• more standard features When it comes to entertainment and connectivity, Prius has a big edge on Insight.

� rOOmy AnD nImBlEConsidering how svelte and maneuverable Prius is, it’s surprising just how much room it has inside.

• The long and short of it Prius has a longer wheelbase than Insight for better ride quality, yet it has a tighter turning circle for easy maneuvering.

• mid-size interior In EPA classifications, Prius has so much interior room it’s officially classed as a mid-size car. Insight is a compact.

• generous passenger room By several measures, passengers enjoy more room in Prius than in Insight. This is especially true for rear-seat passengers.

� TOyOTA EngInEErIng AnD EXPErIEncEToyota is a world-leader in hybrid technology, and it shows: More Prius have been sold than any other hybrid model.

• Hybrid Synergy Drive Toyota’s advanced technology gives Prius better fuel-economy estimates than Insight and more horsepower as well.

• The power of experience Millions of worldwide hybrid sales give Toyota unparalleled experience. Honda’s worldwide hybrid sales are in the hundreds of thousands.

Over Insight EX

� m� rOOmy AnD nImBlE

2012 Honda Insight

2012 Prius

Honda used the Insight name on its first hybrid, a two-seater that some say looked like it came from a science-fiction movie. It was sold from 1999 to 2006. The Insight considered here is a five-seater

For 2012, Insight receives a few exterior and interior aesthetic tweaks, such as blue-tinted headlight covers, a new grille, revised front and rear spoilers and a slight improvement in rear head room. Mechanically,

2012 Prius2012 Prius

20I2 PRIUS vs. 20I2 HONDA INSIGHT

2

Insight is a purpose-built, dedicated hybrid car based on an extended Fit platform. Perhaps as a side-effect of Honda wanting a low MSRP, the base-grade Insight left out some features many buyers consider important, such as stability control and traction control. Insight shoppers should be reminded that Prius includes the Star Safety System™ on every grade.

Here are some of the major features of the Insight model range.

INSIGHT

Engine

1.3L 8-valve SOHC 4-cylinder gas engineIntegrated Motor Assist® hybrid electric system

Transmission

Continuously variable

Driveline

Front-wheel drive

Standard Features

Dual-stage front airbagsFront seat-mounted side airbagsSide curtain airbagsFront active headrestsAnti-lock brakingElectronic brake-force distributionDaytime running lightsVehicle Stability Assist™ with traction controlTire pressure monitoring system160-watt A M/FM/CD/MP3/MPA/AUX audio s ystem with 2 speakersDrive-by-Wire™ throttle systemEco Assist™

Automatic climate controlPower windows with auto-up/down driver’s windowTilt and telescopic steering column60/40 split-folding rear seatbackBody-colored folding power side mirrors2-speed intermittent windshield wipersRear window wiper/washer

Compare to

Prius One

Insight at a glance

EX

The EX differs from the LX by adding:

Standard Features

Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters15-inch alloy wheelsHeated side mirrors with integrated turn indicatorsDriver’s and front passenger’s seatback pocketsDriver’s and front passenger’s vanity mirrors160-watt audio system with 6 speakersLeather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knobBluetooth® HandsFreeLink®

Halogen headlights with auto on/off

Compare to

Prius Two

Insight is a purpose-built, dedicated hybrid car based on an extended Fit platform. Perhaps as a side-effect of Honda wanting a low MSRP, the base-grade Insight left out some features many buyers consider important, such as stability control and traction control. Insight shoppers should be

on

Here are some of the major features of the Insight model range.2012 Honda Insight

LX

The LX differs from the Insight by adding:

Standard Features

Security system with remote entryCruise controlAudio system with USB and 4 speakersSteering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controlsCenter console with armrest and storage compartmentFloor matsMap lights

Compare to

Prius Two

20I2 PRIUS vs. 20I2 HONDA INSIGHT

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� rOOmy & nImBlE

The long and short of itPrius has a longer wheelbase than Insight, which may contribute to Prius’ refined ride. Remarkably, Prius also has a shorter turning circle. It’s the best of both worlds: big-car ride quality with small-car nimbleness.

� TOyOTA EngInEErIng & EXPErIEncE

Hybrid Synergy DriveToyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is a series/ parallel hybrid design, meaning it can power the car using electric drive, gas drive or both. Insight’s Integrated Motor Assist is a mild hybrid, meaning the gas engine is always the primary power source. Toyota’s advanced technology results in Prius having more horsepower yet better mileage ratings than the Honda.

Prius Insight Prius Advantage

Powertrain type

Hybrid Synergy Drive (parallel hybrid)

Integrated Motor Assist (mild hybrid)

Hybrid system net horsepower

134 98 36

EPA-est. fuel econ., city (mpg)1

51 41 10

EPA-est fuel econ., hwy (mpg) 1

48 44 4

EPA-est. fuel econ., combined (mpg)1

50 42 8The power of experienceToyota’s experience may contribute to Prius being the world’s best-selling hybrid. Since its introduction, more than 2.3 million Prius have been sold worldwide. Add in Toyota’s other hybrid models, and Honda’s sales pale in comparison.

Toyota Honda

Hybrid vehicles sold, worldwide (est.)

3.3 million 370,000

Prius Insight Prius Advantage

Wheelbase (in.) 106.3 100.4 5.9

Turning circle (ft.) 34.2 36.1 1.9

Mid-size interiorThough Prius has a shorter overall length than Insight, efficient packaging means it actually has more passenger space than Insight. In fact, Prius is EPA-rated as a mid-size car, while Insight is rated as a compact.

Prius Insight

Passenger volume (cu.ft.) 93.7 85.0

EPA size rating Mid-size Compact

Prius Insight

Generous passenger roomBy many interior measures, Prius offers more room for passengers, especially those in the rear seat. It helps make Prius a pleasant, comfortable way to travel. In contrast, some Insight passenger may feel more closed in.

Prius Insight Prius Advantage

Shoulder room, f/r (in.) 54.9/53.1 52.7/50.4 2.2/2.7

Hip room, f/r (in.) 52.7/51.2 51.6/48.7 1.1/2.5

Head room, rear (in.) 37.6 36.9 1.7

Leg room, rear (in.) 36.0 33.0 3.0

Prius AdvantagesA Closer Look

20I2 PRIUS vs. 20I2 HONDA INSIGHT

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� mAny SAfETy fEATurES

Driver’s knee airbagBoth Prius and Insight have a generous assortment of airbags, including front, front-side and side curtain, but Prius goes further by having a standard driver’s knee airbag not available on Insight.

Prius Insight

Driver and front- passenger airbags

Standard Standard

Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side airbags

Standard Standard

Side curtain airbags Standard Standard

Driver’s knee airbag Standard Not availableDriver’s knee airbag Standard Not available

� AwArD-wInnIng VAluE

Four-wheel disc brakesDisc brakes typically perform better than drum brakes when wet or when under extended use. Prius uses disc brakes all around, but Insight uses older-style drum brakes on the rear wheels.

Prius Insight

Front brakes Disc Disc

Rear brakes Disc Drum

Best overall valueIntelliChoice awarded Prius the coveted “Best Overall Value of the Year” award for 2011. Just as it did in 2010. And 2009. And 2008. And each of the five years before that. In fact, Prius has won the award nine years in a row.2

Most dependableJ.D. Power and Associates awarded Prius the “Most Dependable Compact Car” award for 2011. Just as it did in 2010. And 2009. And 2008. In fact, Prius has won the award four years in a row.3

More standard featuresFor 2012, Prius offers significantly more entertainment and connectivity features as standard equipment, even when comparing the middle-of-the-line Prius Three with the top-of-the-line Insight EX with navigation.

Prius Three Insight EX with navigation

Navigation Standard Standard

Bluetooth® wireless technology

Standard Standard

EntuneTM 4 Standard Not available

SiriusXM Satellite® Radio (includes 90-day trial)

Standard Not available

HD Radio with iTunes® tagging

Standard Not available

Advanced voice recognition

Standard Not available

Smart Key System Standard Not available

Prius AdvantagesA Closer Look

1 EPA-estimated mpg. Actual mileage will vary. 2 2011 IntelliChoice.com; Mid-Size Car; IntelliChoice is a registered trademark of Automotive.com, LLC. 3 The Toyota Prius received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009-2011 Vehicle Dependability StudiesSM. 2011 study based on 43,700 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2008 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2010. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. 4 Includes three-year Entune subscription. Be sure to obey traffic regulations and maintain awareness of road and traffic conditions. Select Entune apps use a large amount of data, and you are responsible for all data charges. Apps and services vary by phone and carrier. Not all apps and data services are available initially. See toyota.com/entune for the latest information regarding apps and services.

©2012 TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYING OR ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A. IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., by the publication and/or dissemination of this publication does not create any warranties, either expressed or implied, as to Toyota products. The information contained herein was up-to-date at the time of publication, but may subsequently be changed or added to without notice and without incurring any obligation. Reliance on this information creates no

liability for Toyota. This publication is produced for use as an information sales aid. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., its employees, representatives, and/or agents shall not be held liable for any omission of data or inclusion of erroneous data even where said omission is alleged to have been relied upon by a buyer of Toyota Products.

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Competitive Comparison reflects most current information available for stated model year vehicle. Competitive vehicle data sourced from Polk Price & Specifications Professional and from competitor websites April 2011. All information is believed to be correct at date of printing and is subject to change without notice.

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