
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.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2013 Honda Insight falls behind other hybrids in gas mileage, and has less space than other subcompacts. |
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. |
The 2013 Honda Civic takes a step back in the right direction with an impressive feature set, a sophisticated new look, and much-improved refinement. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
MSRP From | |||||
$18,600 | $25,200 | $17,965 | $15,425 | $23,215 | $19,080 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
41 MPG City / 44 MPG Hwy | 42 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 44 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 51 MPG City / 49 MPG Hwy | 53 MPG City / 46 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Gas/Electric I4 | Gas/Electric I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas/Electric I4 | Gas/Electric I4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Compact Cars | Large Car | Compact | Small Station Wagon | Midsize Cars | Compact |
Style Name | |||||
5-Door CVT | 5-Door HB SEL | 2-Door Manual LX | 5-Door HB Manual | 5-Door HB Two (SE) | 5-Door HB One (GS) |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Hatchback | Hatchback | 2 Door Coupe | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||||
Continuously Variable Transmission | Continuously Variable Ratio | Manual | Manual | Continuously Variable Ratio | Continuously Variable Ratio |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2013 Honda Insight vs. 2013 Ford C-Max | 2013 Honda Insight vs. 2013 Honda Civic | 2013 Honda Insight vs. 2013 Honda Fit | 2013 Honda Insight vs. 2013 Toyota Prius | 2013 Honda Insight vs. 2013 Toyota Prius C |