Honda Cuts Price of 2011 Insight Hybrid

Insight is still the hybrid price leader, but Toyota Prius at 50 mpg is more efficient.

The 2011 Honda Insight is officially on sale today with a less expensive base model that starts at $18,950. It’s the latest attempt by Honda to counter Toyota’s ongoing success with the Prius hybrid, which at more than 115,000 sales year-to-date far outsells Insight at almost 18,000.

It’s also a tacit recognition that the number of fuel-efficient models from all makers is growing, perhaps beyond natural demand.  

The range of Insight models for 2011 now starts with this base model, designated as “Insight.”  The Insight LX – the previous price leader when it debuted in March of 2009 at $20,470 – continues to be available at $20,650.

As in 2009, the 2011 Insight is the least expensive U.S. hybrid.

It’s unlikely that Toyota will counter with a less expensive Prius – a base model promised to counter the Insight LX when it debuted 18 months ago never appeared, as a strong Japanese Yen and weak Toyota global sales resulted in huge loses at Japan’s largest automaker.

After ten years of sales in the U.S., the latest generation Prius now has a Manufacturers’ Suggested Retail Price Range (MSRP) of $23,050 for the Prius Two model to $28,320 for the Prius Five model, an increase of $250 this year. MSRP excludes shipping and deliver charges of almost $1,000.  (See Toyota Ups 2011 Prius Pricing. Hybrid Costs More than $30,000)

Honda Insight LX gains some equipment for 2011, adding cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest storage console and floor mats. The Insight EX adds to the LX features with steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

All Insight models are equipped with “Vehicle Stability Assist” for 2011, which was previously exclusive to the Insight EX.

The five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by a 1.3-liter “i-VTEC” gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor through a continuously variable ratio transmission.

The electric motor between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations. It also recaptures energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking.

EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy ratings of 40/43/41 miles per gallon for all three models are claimed, based on the post-2008 EPA methods. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles.

The third-generation Toyota Prius has EPA estimated mileage of 50/49/50 mpg on the city/highway/combined scales.