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For some time, my point of reference has strictly been Honda's in general, and the Insight specifically. Three weeks ago, a link somehow got my interest and I joined PriusChat. Got around to meeting a member (Windstrings) in my general area in Granbury. Initially it was to exchange war stories about people trying to run us off the road, but we did a show-and-tell of our respective cars, then let each other drive it for five or so miles. Got a few downloads of Prius documentation to take with me as well.

Most of us have read dozens of hybrid reviews and I'm more convinced then ever a few test drives is simply not enough to know a car. I had a positive experience driving the Prius, probably got above-average fuel economy most of the trip (45mpg), but there are many things about it I'm just not aware of.

In the 5-speed Insight, I'm focused on the way I'm driving as it's more involved than the dashboard readouts. The reverse was true on the Prius II - I was exposed to more data and still being unfamiliar with the HSD operation, on mental overload to figure how I'm doing. While a few months of familarity would change that, there would still be more data to digest than on the Insight. I have the driver's seat forward anyway, but the center console would be an additional reason as I'd be toggling it constantly.

Both cars were driven both fast and slow. My impression the Insight and Prius have similar performance was reinforced, although bad shifting could mess up an Insight driver.

Just to highlight the little things a Prius does that my mind was trying to take in, after the trip, I heard it do a coolant transfer to keep the engine warm longer. Also learned that it can initially go in the EV mode a few seconds before it forces the ICE on. Made me wonder if I could save a lot of gas the first quarter half mile from home:

Back out of garage going four feet uphill
Go 100 yards down the alley
Make a couple of quick turns out of the alley to a main street
Go downhill a quarter of a mile to an intersectionForgot to add - his wife's car is a Prius. :)

My Insight has 113,000 miles on it - it's probably good to 250,000 at least. I hope the wheels don't fall off, but five or so years down the road, I'll need a new car. Looking that far into the future is a crap shoot. There will probably be more hybrids to choose from, clean diesels, hopefully both, other technologies. I just want to understand what is out there. At this point, a Yaris or Fit with a hybrid diesel powerplant is probably the best I could realistically hope for around 2011 (although some are suggesting FCVs will be ready)

Hi Chuck:

___Until very recently, I had not known you had never been behind the wheel of a Prius II. You were half dead when we went out for the ride in Hobbit’s so many months ago so I knew that did not count … In any case, you have experienced something pretty unique that only a few have had the chance to experience. That is drive an Insight 5-speed and a Prius II back to back.

___Now for my own good/bad discussion. The Prius can perform magic where the Insight cannot. Namely in the deep inner city stuff riding EV just long enough to break free of heavy congestion in some cases. The Insight on the other hand can live on lean burn up to slower highway speeds and when really ramped up (Insight marathon like), nothing in this world can touch it. Straight line performance wise, both are on par at ~ 10.5 seconds to 60 with a relatively full pack in each. When you get into the twisties, the Prius’ bulk takes her down a notch as she is not that great handler. Not that the Insight is either but when throwing one or the other around, I would much prefer the Insight in an Autocross. Utility and comfort is where the Prius II is all over the Insight. The Insight is just not nearly as comfortable a car.

___And about the instrumentation. A Prius II has some really nifty displays and it can be used to take one to new heights but the simplicity and feedback of the various Honda i and aFCD’s cannot be matched vs. what the Prius II offers either. Having the ability to teach and/or drive the Prius II in a relatively pure glide without having to consciously FAS, manipulate yourself into an AS, or run into and out of a fuel cut just by using the Energy Consumption screen plus having the 5-minute averages is very unique to the HSD system. The Energy display is indeed needed to move her into and out of its own modes at first but like the Insight entering into lean burn, transitioning through a NOx purge and back into lean burn, once you get used to the cycle, the process becomes almost automatic as you are aware with the many miles behind your own windscreen. All I can add is that many here have conducted enough P&G clinics at the Milwaukee Hybrid Group gatherings so as to teach others how easy it is. Once you know what to look for and/or are coached by someone in the passenger seat, it is something spectacular to see for the very first time. You should ask Bob or Jane Cherney how excited I get when one of our students rides a pure glide for the very first time ;)

___Finally, I am glad you enjoyed the experience. A Prius II will definitely change your outlook no matter how hard core an IMA pundit you currently are. At just $2K (this I what the HSD in its entirety - upgrade actually costs), all Toyota’s should at least come with the option of having HSD installed. Soon but not soon enough in my book as I would love to have the brand new Euro/JDM Corolla hatch w/ HSD at my fingertips. Soon, very soon :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Yes, I was so sleepy I could not completely enjoy riding in Hobbit's Prius around Wayne's neighborhood - that would have to wait until the trip to Madison that afternoon.

Driving other hybrids is one of the things I wanted to do at HybridFest, but of course it was very hectic there.

Toyota should consider what they could do if they treated the center console like a PC with upgrades and customization - more opportunity for profit. I'd probably want something like steering wheel controls....

My wife thought I was nuts when I told her that I would consider a new Insight as a commuter car. I wanted to keep the Prius but have the Insight for driving to and from work - which is basically a straight line.

I've personally never been inside an Insight much less driven one. I drove stick about 20 years ago so there would be a pretty stiff "remembering curve."

Like Wayne said, you have a pretty rare knowledge and insight now on both hybrids. Thanks for sharing.

Also, did it surprise you that Windstrings doesn't look much like his Priuschat avatar?

Also, did it surprise you that Windstrings doesn't look much like his Priuschat avatar?

Halloween is over, so he looks normal now. :D

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/image.php?u=1217&dateline=1128522004
This is the avitar most know me by - Smiling Bob: the "Enzyte" Man. :D