Insight vs Prius C, an owner's story

From May 2010 until June 2012 I was the proud owner of a Honda Insight. From June 2013-present I am a Prius C owner. Between these two reliable vehicles, I was an owner of a lemon Chrysler 200 from June 2012-June 2013, which was a total hunk of junk.

I'm not going to focus on the 200 as its irrelevant (and barely gets 25mpg average even though its rated 30mpg), but I thought a comparison of two similar hybrids would be worthy.

The Insight that I owned was a good car, it was reliable (never gave me one ounce of a problem in two years of ownership and 50k miles), and it was efficient. I averaged 45mpg, which is slightly above the overall efficiency it was rated for at 43mpg.

My reason for trading it in for another vehicle last year is that I had a fender bender, didn't feel like fixing it or submitting an insurance claim where I'd still be out $500, and it had a few missing features and quirks.

Those quirks are... The Honda Insight 2010 didn't have electric A/C, so anytime you stopped it would stop pumping out air. My model didn't have cruise control (my fault as I didn't shop long enough before buying that trim level). And for a hybrid, it really didn't feel like a full hybrid. Its small 10hp electric engine really only assists and never could power the car. The engine would *always* run when you took your foot off the brake pedal.

But, here are two up sides to it. The Insight had more room in the back for storage vs a Prius C, and it had a slightly more sporty drive, slight being the optimal word. Its still not a race car and takes about the same 11 seconds to get to 60mph.

SO, that's my take as a former owner.

Now, my opinion on the Prius C (being a very new owner, only a week and a half of ownership thus far) it is far more advanced. The difference of having a separate, fully operational 60 hp electric engine with more serious battery power really gives you the hybrid feel. The Prius C easily allows me to get about 55mpg so far, based on my driving habits in mixed highway/city traffic. That's a full 10mpg more than the old Insight I had. And I love having a full hybrid that has electrified A/C, power steering, and other features that helps take the load off the engine.

My only mistake? Buying a crappy Chrysler 200 last year instead of trading in my Insight for a Prius C! I love this car, and while I think the Insight is less refined I give Honda props for making a very reliable, sporty hybrid that still got 45mpg in average mixed highway/city driving.

That's one owner's experience with these two cars.