Hybrid Myth vs Fact

Overtly "green" advertising aside, there are two basic things to understand about the hybrids presently on the market: These vehicles are fueled by gasoline - that is you fill up at the local gas station. These vehicles are not electric cars - that is, you can not plug them in to an outlet to get a fill up. See Honda's FAQ for more.

• The Prius is an SULEV; The Insight is only an ULEV*.
• The Prius can travel short distances as a pure EV (gas engine off); The Insight can not move without the gas engine running.
• The Prius seats 5; The Insight seats 2.
• The Prius has a steel frame with 4 doors, the Insight has an aluminum frame with 2 doors.
• The Prius has a larger 1.5 liter gasoline engine; The Insight has a 3-cylinder 1.0 liter gasoline engine.
• The Prius gets a modest 50 mpg or so; The Insight can break 70 mpg.
• The Prius comes with a CVT [Continuously Variable Transmission] automatic transmission; The Insight presently comes with a 5-speed overdrive manual transmission, although a CVT option is expected next year.
• The Prius is a more practical, family oriented car; The Insight is more sporty, with lots of "techie" readouts and displays on the dashboard.
• Both sell for nearly the same price, around US$20,000.