A safe, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendlier vehicle, what more can you ask for in a car? The 2010 Honda Insight and 2010 Toyota Prius both recently received the TOP SAFETY PICK award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2010 Honda Insight was reported as having “good performance in front, side, and rear tests and optional electronic stability control.” The Insight also scored well in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings with five stars in the frontal driver and side driver ratings. The vehicle scored four stars in frontal passenger, side rear passenger, and rollover ratings.

The 2010 Toyota Prius also received good performance ratings from the IIHS. This is an improvement from the 2004-2006 models, which scored poorly in the side impact tests (without optional side airbags). The addition of the optional side airbags improved the IIHS Prius ratings to the “good” level for the 2004-2006 model years.

The NHTSA has yet to test the 2010 Toyota Prius and so their safety ratings, as determined by the agency, are unavailable.

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Filed Under: honda, toyota

Honda has two hybrids on the market today (U.S.) – the Civic Hybrid and the all-new 2010 Honda Insight. The company has just announced plans to bring another hybrid to market – the CR-Z. The latest news from Honda reports that the CR-Z will hit the streets in 2010.

“Shorthand for “Compact Renaissance Zero,” the CR-Z is a forward-thinking exercise in inspired design and environmental technology. The CR-Z draws its inspiration from a need to deliver spirited performance in an efficient manner. It’s all part of our commitment to help effect positive environmental change. So keep on the lookout for more details about the CR-Z.” Source: Honda

The Honda CR-Z made its North American debut as a concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The two-door styling will likely attract a different crowd than the hybrids currently on the market.

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The all-new Honda Insight LX model is priced at $19,800 (excluding shipping). This pricing point was one of Honda’s goals, the company wanted to not only price the Insight under that of the Toyota Prius but also come in under the $20,000 mark. There are already reports out that Toyota is going to make a new, smaller hybrid that will be priced less than the Insight. Today, Bloomberg News is reporting that Toyota may also reduce the price of the Toyota Prius to compete.

If you are in the United States and were thinking about buying a new Prius, don’t get your hopes up – this rumored cut will only be in Japan (if it does, in fact, come to fruition.)

“Toyota spokesman Yuta Kaga declined to confirm or deny a Nikkei newspaper report today that said the starting price of the Prius will be cut to 1.89 million yen ($19,250) from 2.33 million yen. The Insight hybrid, which went on sale in Japan last month, starts at 1.89 million yen.” (Source: Bloomberg)

However, due to the popularity of the Prius in the states, this price drop may eventually make its way from Japan to domestically sold models as well.

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Filed Under: honda, toyota

Green motoring enthusiasts saw this coming – Toyota going after the new, lower-priced Honda Insight Hybrid. The Insight launched in Japan last month and the sales are triple what Honda expected. The vehicle will be available in the United States on March 24 and the MSRP is $19,800 (excl. shipping) for the entry-level model.

The Toyota Prius has a massive share of the U.S. hybrid market and Honda is hoping to cut into this with the Insight. Toyota is now announcing that it will begin selling an even lower-priced hybrid sub-compact in Japan.

“The new gasoline-electric car will sell at below 2 million yen ($20,510) as early as 2011 in Japan, the Nikkei said, escalating price competition in hybrid cars.

Toyota plans to price its new model at about 20-30 percent cheaper than its current Prius hybrid, which starts at 2.33 million yen, by modifying Prius parts, the Nikkei said.” Source: Automotive New Europe

In the interim, Toyota lovers can revel in the all-new 50 mpg third generation Prius that will be available this spring.

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The day has finally come, pricing for the 2010 Honda Insight has been announced. When I first began writing about the Insight last fall, Honda planned to price the Insight around $18,500. Although it has only been a few months since the first price point was announced, the $18,500 mark quickly became a distant afterthought.

Today, Honda published a press release with the price points for the 2010 Honda Insight.

2010 Honda Insight Pricing and EPA Data

1. MSRP excluding tax, license, registration. $670 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

“The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers.” (Source: Honda Media Newsroom)

The Honda Insight goes on sale on March 24 at Honda dealers across the United States.

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Honda is on the verge of releasing its all-new 2010 Honda Insight and just this past week posted some fantastic hybrid sales numbers. Since the inception of the original Honda Insight in 1999, Honda Motors has sold more than 300,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide.

Honda Hybrid Sales by Model/Region (as of the end of January 2009)

 

Honda will further enhance its hybrid model lineup with the introduction of the all-new sporty hybrid vehicle, based on the CR-Z design concept model, in 2010, in the effort to achieve full-scale market penetration of hybrid vehicles.

The 2010 Honda Insight went on sale in Japan this past week and will be introduced to European dealers next month and domestic dealers in April.

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Filed Under: General, honda

As I was driving today, I thought I recognized the unique styling of the original Honda Insight several cars ahead. Once I caught up to the vehicle at the next stoplight, my suspicions were correct – it was an old school Honda Insight. So, I’ve just spent a bit of time digging through the Honda Media site’s archives and I was able to find both images and several press releases about the 2001 Honda Insight.

• Insight Tops EPA Fuel Economy Report – 12/27/2000
• Honda’s Hybrid Gives Insight Into the Future – 12/29/2000
• Honda Insight Lineup Adds Continuously Variable Transmission – 1/3/2001
• Honda Insight Tops EPA Fuel Economy Report, New Civic Makes Top Ten – 1/3/2001
• Honda Insight Tops Rankings in 2001 ACEEE Green Book – 2/23/2001
• New Honda Insight Model Earns 57 MPG EPA City Rating With Advanced CVT Automatic Transmission – 5/10/2001
• Hybrid Car Sales Surge Along With Gas Prices – 6/12/2001
• Honda Insight Wins ‘Tour de Sol’ – 6/19/2001
• Honda Insight Named Most Fuel-Efficient Car in America – 10/9/2001

The 12/27/2000 press release shows that the Insight crushed its competition with a fuel efficiency rating of 16mpg more than the vehicle in the number two spot. The average fuel economy of the 2001 Honda Insight was 64 mpg.

I found it interesting to read about the ACEEE ranking since I just posted the 2009 list. In 2001, the Honda Insight had a Green Score of 52, which put it at the top of the green car lists that year. For comparison, the 2009 winner, the Honda Civic GX, received a Green Score of 57.

The last press release that really caught my eye was that hybrid car sales were surging as gas prices were rising. In May of 2001, 903 Honda Insights were sold which was a 137.6% increase over May 2000. These kinds of sales numbers definitely are a thing of the past, at least as far as 2008, 2009 and likely 2010 go.

Gas prices in May 2001 were under $2/gallon. In researching this, I found this article on the PBS website that is worth the read – Rising Gas Prices. When you read through the article, remember that this was published nearly nine years ago but parts of it feel as though they could have been written yesterday.

The 2010 Honda Insight will soon be available in the United States and I’m sure Honda would love to see a repeat of some of these headlines.

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Filed Under: Gas Prices, honda

Even though the Chrysler Town & Country EV is only a concept, you can still find some minivans that have a smaller environmental impact than others do. Last year, the Toyota Sienna topped the list of Greenest Minivans of 2008. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has published its list of the top rated minivans for 2009 and the Toyota Sienna tops the list again.

The Toyota Sienna meets both the Tier 2 bin 5 and ULEV II Emission Standards and has a 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway rating. The overall Green Score of the vehicle is 32 and the class ranking is Superior. The average vehicle looked at by ACEEE scores a 30 with the highest ranked vehicle scoring in the 50s and the lowest in the teens. The Sienna is above average for this year.

The second place vehicle is the Honda Odyssey with a Green Score of 31. Last year, the Odyssey was in third place with the same Green Score.

The Chrysler Town & Country dropped down a spot to number three for this year with a Green Score of 31 and an above average class ranking. The other two minivans to make the list are the Dodge Caravan (Green Score: 31) and the Nissan Quest (Green Score: 32).

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Filed Under: Chrysler, Dodge, honda, nissan, toyota

When the 2010 Honda Insight was released to the public, one of the most talked-about features was the sub-$20,000 price point. Initial documentation on the vehicle came with a projected starting price of $18,500 (see New Honda Insight to Debut at Paris Motor Show.)

The price point was discussed in September in advance of the 2008 Paris Motor Show when gas was still high and the economy was not quite as bad as it is now. Fast forward five months to now and a lot has changed. Gas is under $2 gallon in most markets, new unemployment filings have reached a 26-year high and auto manufacturers are posting double digit declines in sales.

“Honda Motor Co. wants to price its Insight hybrid hatchback under $20,000 in the United States — and might build it there if U.S. sales hit and sustain the lofty target of 100,000 a year.” (Source: Automotive News)

The Insight is currently on sale in Japan starting at the equivalent of $20,052 for the base model and $23,000 for the top of the line model. The Insight is going after the market cornered by the Toyota Prius, which has a starting price around $22,000.

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Today, NADAguides.com released its list of “Best Car Buys” for 2009 and hybrids are included on the list (amidst some major gas-guzzlers.)

“The NADAguides.com Market Data Analysts (MDAs) conducted an in-depth study to identify the criteria that matter most to consumers when considering their next car purchase. If the car received high marks in each of the top five categories, it was recognized as a NADAguides.com “Best Car Buys” for 2009.” (Source: PR Newswire)

The number one hybrid best buy for 2009 is the Honda Civic Hybrid sedan. Are you surprised that it isn’t the Toyota Prius? I know that I am. The Honda Civic Hybrid is, indeed, a great buy and deserves the number one spot but I am used to the Prius always topping these lists. The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid has an MSRP of $23,650, a 42 mpg rating, an average 16% depreciation in the first year, a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty and a 5-star frontal driver crash rating.

The number two-spot belongs to the aforementioned 2009 Toyota Prius. The Prius has an MSRP of $22,000 and gets 47 mpg, which is better than the Honda. However, Prius owners experience an average 27% depreciation during the first year and the car only received a 4-star frontal driver crash rating. After one year, your $22,000 Prius will be worth about $16,060. I say wait a year and buy a 2009 model when the third generation Prius comes out next year.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in as the third hybrid best buy for 2009. The vehicle is a bit pricier with an MSRP of $26,150 and only gets approximately 33 mpg. Unlike the Prius, the average depreciation is only 12% and the vehicle has a 5-star frontal driver crash rating.

Despite dealing with some troubling times lately, General Motors has two vehicles on the top five hybrid list. In fourth place is the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid with an MSRP of $25,555, a 30 mpg rating and a 20% depreciation during the first year.

The 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid is the last hybrid to make the list. In the number five position, the Aura Hybrid has an MSRP of $26,240, averages 30 mpg but has a whopping 31% depreciation in the first year. Both the Malibu and the Aura Hybrids have received 5-star frontal driver crash ratings.

If you are in the market for a 2009 hybrid, consider the NADAguides.com ratings when making your decision.

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Filed Under: chevy, honda, toyota