Insightful pricing for Honda's new hybrid

Honda Insight hybrid car games undercuts arch-rival Prius on price with $29,000 entry point - but doesn't undercut the Prius on fuel economy
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Following Honda's announcement made at last month's Australian International Motor Show, the all-new Insight hybrid has today been released Down Under with entry-level pricing starting below the critical $30K mark.

Honda aims to grab potential Prius buyers with its competitive price point, which at the base level undercuts Toyota's popular hybrid hatch by $10,000.

The entry-level Insight VTi will start at $29,990 and features equipment levels on par with similarly sized conventionally powered rivals. Included as standard is climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, alloy wheels, trip computer, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing sensors.

Entertainment comes by way of a six speaker single-CD tuner with steering wheel-mounted remote controls, a USB port and 3.5mm auxiliary jack for audio devices.

The up-spec Insight VTi-L is priced from $33,490, more than $18,000 cheaper than Toyota's top shelf Prius i-Tech. The premium Insight model adds auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, foglamps, leather steering wheel, 16-inch alloys, a DVD player, reversing camera and satellite navigation.

Safety features familiar to both Insight models include dual front and side airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist.

Insight variants are powered by a 1.3 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system putting power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The IMA is essentially an oversized starter motor designed to supplement petrol engine power and boost torque.

Honda claims a combined fuel economy average of 4.6L/100km, with emissions of just 109g/km. By the same measure, Prius records 3.9L/100km and 89g/km.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our local launch review of new Honda Insight range.

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