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Toyota Prius Sales Outpace Honda Insight 6-Fold

Toyota Prius Sales Outpace Honda Insight 6-Fold

Lyle Dennis July 1st, 2009 Lyle Dennis By Lyle Dennis Editor-in-Chief July 1st, 2009
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December 31st, 1969   Unfortunately for Honda, its new low-priced mild hybrid Insight does not seem to be making any headway against the Toyota Prius. Honda launched the car in April with great anticipation that its lower price point would add value to the hybrid proposition positioning it to dent the Prius market. Toyota, however, launched its 3rd generation Prius with multiple option levels starting at $$22,750, quite close to the higher end Insight EX which actually tops out at $23,750. The Toyota uses a strong hybrid drivetrain that allows it 50 mpg average, considerably more than the Insights 41 MPG, even though it has a 1.8L engine compared to the Insight's 1.3L. Total HP in the Insight is 150 vs 98 in the Insight. Reviewers have also come out considerably negative against the Insight including benchmark Consumer Reports who found it "the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time." It looks like consumers aren't biting either. In the month of June Honda posted 2079 Insight sales whereas the Prius (old and new) garnered a rather robust 12,900 units sold, over 6 times more. Honda actually sold 2780 Insights in May. Honda had been hoping for 100,000 in US sales. At this pace they would only sell 24,000 in a year.

 

Prius Insight

Prius Insight

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Unfortunately for Honda, its new low-priced mild hybrid Insight does not seem to be making any headway against the Toyota Prius.

Honda launched the car in April with great anticipation that its lower price point would add value to the hybrid proposition positioning it to dent the Prius market. Toyota, however, launched its 3rd generation Prius with multiple option levels starting at $$22,750, quite close to the higher end Insight EX which actually tops out at $23,750. The Toyota uses a strong hybrid drivetrain that allows it 50 mpg average, considerably more than the Insights 41 MPG, even though it has a 1.8L engine compared to the Insight's 1.3L. Total HP in the Insight is 150 vs 98 in the Insight.

Reviewers have also come out considerably negative against the Insight including benchmark Consumer Reports who found it "the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time."

It looks like consumers aren't biting either.

In the month of June Honda posted 2079 Insight sales whereas the Prius (old and new) garnered a rather robust 12,900 units sold, over 6 times more. Honda actually sold 2780 Insights in May.

Honda had been hoping for 100,000 in US sales. At this pace they would only sell 24,000 in a year.

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  1. By Noel Park #1, Posted: 7/1/2009

    Gas mileage bragging rights and "green" "street cred" rule. Poor Honda was first to market with the elegant Insight I, but they have just fumbled the hybrid market ever since. If it cost the same as a Prius and got substantially better mileage, I bet it would sell like hotcakes. Back to the drawing board.

  2. By jeffhre #2, Posted: 7/1/2009

    Looks like GM will be right choosing not to compete in this space. Judging by Honda's results, maybe the Volt isn't as big a risk as it first appeared.

  3. By blakem #3, Posted: 7/2/2009

    The Insight is a perfect example of what happens when a company ignores its roots. Even when gas prices were low, Honda always strived to be the most fuel efficient car company, but they lost their way with the Insight going for low cost instead of mpg. Now Honda is stuck with a car that sacrificed Honda quality and fuel efficiency to only be marginally cheaper than the Prius.

  4. By ED #4, Posted: 7/2/2009

    Well, I like mine! Too bad some people just judge what they read. If they actually got in one they might have a different opinion. Not to mention you can EASILY beat EPA estimates.

  5. By EW #5, Posted: 7/2/2009

    Oh give me a break! The EPA never even tested the car with ECON turned on. I am getting a consistent 50 in the City and 60 on the highway! Not to mention the car handles like a Honda and the dash is way more ergonomic then that stupid Prius center mounted cluster!

  6. By RB #6, Posted: 7/4/2009

    I have never seen MPG lower than 45 on my 2010 Insight and normally get 50 MPG or higher on tripe longer than 20 miles. It is easy to get 50 MPG with ECON mode on. MPG performance is comparable to the Prius parked right beside mine. I have driven both and the Insight drives much like a sports car - very tight and clean - while the Prius is mushy and drifts. Plus the Insight uses normal tires not the soft rubber 30,000 mile tires that come with the Prius.

  7. By Drew #7, Posted: 7/9/2009

    The insight is a great purchase. Handles much better than a Prius and the epa estimates are WAY off. i am getting 50-55 mpg with the a/c on. the substantially larger cargo space (with the rear seats down) as compared to the prius also makes it a viable contender. the lack of sales is more an issue of poor marketing than actual product quality and performance. i agree with ED; opinions of the insight are being shaped by things other than actual investigation.

  8. By twoflow #8, Posted: 7/11/2009

    The Insight is a POS. The Prius cost only 10% more and gets 20% better fuel economy and better quality than the insight. The Prius uses a hybrid system which is generations ahead of the insight. the insight battery cells are D size cells, the same ones that you put in flashlights while the Prius uses a specially designed battery pack. I feel sorry for Insight owners.

  9. By Tinytimmy80 #9, Posted: 7/12/2009

    I think Honda made a mistake with the standard options on the Insight in the US. In Europe the standard options do include VSC, autolights, alloy rims, etc. etc.
    Also, Toyota is being really sneaky in the US by offering the Prius III close to or below costingprice. Thereby closing the $ gap. As a huge company they have the benefit of pulling that off without getting into financial problems.
    In Europe, for the same optionlevel, the price difference is almost €5000 ($7000).

  10. By michael22 #10, Posted: 11/2/2009

    The Insight has a beautiful shape. I've sat in it but haven't driven it; with the exception of the tacky silvered-plastic trim, it seems efficient and comfortable. That said, the mechanics of the car isn't far from my 1984 Civic Hatchback. With its 1.3L 2-valve engine (same as that in the Insight) the Civic got about 50 mpg on the highway. No power steering, no air conditioning, no power windows or locks: just a simple, lightweight car. So it seems that the electric engine is added to power the goodies the Civic didn't have. When you add the $5000 added cost, it just doesn't add up.

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