2013 Honda Insight vs. Its Competition

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Oct 15, 2012

The 2013 Honda Insight has a new competitor, in the form of the new subcompact Toyota Prius C.

With better gas mileage, more room inside, low-speed electric running, and a price within $1,000, the Prius C poses a direct threat to the Insight's subcompact-hybrid niche.

The larger Prius Liftback, too, has better mileage despite being a mid-size car inside--though it's $5,000 more expensive.

But the Insight faces competition even inside Honda showrooms.

The Honda Civic Hybrid, all new last year, delivers better gas mileage--44 mpg--and is larger and more luxurious, though at a higher price.

On the other end, the Fit subcompact is more than $3,000 cheaper and offers gas mileage of 30 mpg or better, more space inside, an amazingly versatile interior, and crisp, responsive handling.

New for 2013 is the Ford C-Max Hybrid, about $5,000 more expensive but with higher gas mileage and a much nicer driving experience than the Prius and Insight.

Finally, if you do most of your miles at highway speeds, the clean-diesel VW Jetta TDI--in sedan or Sportwagen models--gets similar highway mileage, though lower city ratings.

2013 Honda Insight Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Ford C-Max	2013 Honda Fit Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Toyota Prius Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Toyota Prius C Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda Civic Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7 The 2013 Honda Insight falls behind other hybrids in gas mileage, and has less space than other subcompacts.	7.8 The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is the first head-to-head challenger for the Toyota Prius since that car grabbed the green mantle a decade ago--and in many ways, the Ford's a better daily driver.	7.8 If you're not turned off by the utilitarian look of the 2013 Honda Fit, you'll like what you get, which is awesome practicality and space-efficiency, plus some driving verve.	7.4 The 2013 Toyota Prius is a spacious, practical mid-size hatchback that will hold five people and their gear, while remaining the highest-mileage car sold without a plug.	7.2 The 2013 Toyota Prius C has all the gas-mileage virtues of larger Prius models, but it's smaller, more fun to drive, and--crucially--almost $5,000 cheaper.	7 The 2012 Honda Civic is a little more spacious, comfortable, and economical, but it's now one of the blandest of the bunch.
MSRP From
$18,600	N/A	$15,425	$23,215	$19,080	$15,955
Gas Mileage
41 MPG City / 44 MPG Hwy		27 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy	51 MPG City / 48 MPG Hwy	53 MPG City / 46 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas/Electric I4	N/A	Gas I4	N/A	Gas/Electric I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
Compact Cars	N/A	Small Station Wagon	N/A	Compact	Compact Cars
Style Name
5dr CVT	N/A	5dr HB Man	5dr HB One (Natl)	5dr HB One (Natl)	4dr Man DX
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	N/A	Front Wheel Drive	N/A	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	N/A	5	N/A	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Hatchback	N/A	Hatchback	N/A	Hatchback	Sedan
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission	N/A	Manual	N/A	Continuously Variable Ratio	Manual