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Were the economy what it was a year and a half ago when Wall Street was in full Go-Go-Mode, it's doubtful anybody seriously shopping for an all-new Prius would give Honda's new Insight a second glance. Sure, they look an awful lot alike, but understand, these are two starkly different automobiles. Different in size: Dimensionally, the Insight is a confirmed compact while the new Prius has expanded its interior volume enough to place it somewhere midpack in the midsize category. Different in hybrid technology: What they mainly share is battery chemistry. And different in cost, with a price spread big enough to drive a couple of mortgage payments through. Unfortunately, the economy has subsequently put this sort of simple thinking into a coffee grinder and pressed the top down.
Today, most folks' household budgets are getting the fine-tooth-comb treatment, and the sound of having most of the Prius's mileage bang for a lot less buck has a rather nice ring to it. And to complicate things, Honda has baited its Insight's hook with bodywork that's so Prius-like it borders on copyright infringement.
A while ago, our late friend and Toyota hybrid guru, Dave Hermance, admitted Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) was the better approach for low-cost cars (though he was quick to add that Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive gains the upper hand as size and price increase). Well, Honda has finally pulled the trigger and built Toyota's worst nightmare.
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