Motorweek Season 28 Episode 43 Honda Insight vs. Toyota Prius

Motorweek season 28 episode 43, titled "Honda Insight vs. Toyota Prius," is a comparison of two hybrid vehicles from two of the leading automobile manufacturers in the world. The episode starts with a brief introduction and history of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which first appeared in the market in 1997 with the debut of the Toyota Prius. Since then, several other automakers have joined the hybrid race, one of which being Honda with its Insight model.

The host of the show, John Davis, starts by discussing the exterior design of both vehicles. He appreciates the futuristic and refined look of the 2021 Toyota Prius, which is easily recognizable on the road due to its sloping rear window, sharp angles, and distinctive LED lights. However, he also acknowledges that the game was changed by the all-new 2019 Honda Insight, which looks more like a traditional sedan with a sleeker design compared to its predecessor. The Insight’s LED headlights and taillights blend perfectly with the smooth lines of the car, which is more in line with the conventional design of a sedan.

Moving on to the interior, John Davis highlights the trends most consumers are seeking from any car like the incorporation of technology, safety features, leg room, and other desirable features. He discusses how both models come with ample space for passengers and driver alike and the available tech of wireless phone charging and USB ports. The Prius offers more cargo space due to its hatchback design, while the Insight's trunk area is more spacious due to the absence of the battery under the back seats.

Regarding technology, both vehicles deliver standard features like the touchscreen infotainment system on the Prius, which offers easier-to-use controls and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa. On the other hand, the Honda Insight offers its “HondaSensing” suite of driver-assistive technology which can help prevent collisions by sending warnings to the driver about objects in front and behind.

Moving on to the driving experience, the show Motorweek compares both vehicles in terms of their hybrid powertrains. The Toyota Prius has a new 1.8L four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors providing total power of approximately 120 horsepower. The Honda Insight, on the other hand, comes powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor that can generate 151 horsepower. It also has a lithium-ion battery, which is more efficient than the Prius battery but has fewer cells resulting in less range.

The testers measured how the cars performed when driven on flat and varied terrain and tested the brakes. On an even platform, the Honda Insight proved to be the better performer, accelerating briskly and changing the car’s speed seamlessly in both the city and on highways, sacrificing a bit of overall fuel economy. In contrast, the Toyota Prius lagged behind the Insight in terms of acceleration and responsiveness to sudden changes in speed, but the battery re-capturing system helped it beat the Insight in overall fuel efficiency and braking.

In conclusion, Motorweek presents a detailed comparison of the 2021 Toyota Prius against the 2021 Honda Insight. Both cars have merits and drawbacks, and the final decision on which one is better largely comes down to personal preference and how one values the various aspects. However, the show concludes that based on a consumer's list of priorities, the Honda Insight had more overall value due to its power, battery-range and a smoother ride experience.