Hybrid Choice

[JeffKeryk]

It was not cool Jeff...not at all.
My father bought one new vehicle in his life and I am embarrassed to say as it sucked when new... But he loved it and he left it to me and I did some towing with it infrequently and in the glove box is his wallet etc.
Like a time capsule...

Now I bought them some cars but my mom drove them...

Please. My 1st car was a '64 Corvair and an ex girlfriend gave me a V8 Gremlin when she left town. You cannot out do that.

I am keeping my folk's 1998 Accord LX 4 banger alive. I gave it to a single Mom. I just replaced both axles, tires, all 4 brakes, main relay, starter, ignition switch and even a Honda gas cap.
I will repair the fender dent she put in it if I can get my hands on it.
You ain't got nuthin' on me.

 

[Skippy722]

That’s like asking someone to pick between otherwise identical GE and Whirlpool microwaves. I’d pick whichever I’m more comfortable in.

 

[The Critic]

Are any of them plug-in? I think I'd wan't that in a Hybrid.

Not if you plan to hold onto it for 200k+. The plug-in's do not have any cost-effective options for a HV battery replacement.

That’s like asking someone to pick between otherwise identical GE and Whirlpool microwaves. I’d pick whichever I’m more comfortable in.

Not quite. The Toyota ones are better built for the long-term and lower maintenance. They also have more market share, easier to resell and generally have a better support network.

 

[Zee09]

The Toyota is a bit short on HP.
Not that it is the only criteria but it is underpowered.
Ease of DIY servicing is also a factor that I look at.
I grew tired of the old Honda's in the day with the oil filter mid way up near the firewall..

Road and wind noise was also a Honda negative...

 

[Skippy722]

Not quite. The Toyota ones are better built for the long-term and lower maintenance. They also have more market share, easier to resell and generally have a better support network.

I maintain the opinion both are appliances on wheels and you’re better off picking the one that you find more comfortable to be in as well as drive.

 

[Zee09]

That’s like asking someone to pick between otherwise identical GE and Whirlpool microwaves. I’d pick whichever I’m more comfortable in.

Comfortable in is very important especially in a hybrid. If it hurts to drive it what good is it?

 

[The Critic]

I maintain the opinion both are appliances on wheels and you’re better off picking the one that you find more comfortable to be in as well as drive.

In general, the Honda products are nicer to drive and are much more pleasant to be in than any Toyota.

With that said, I'd rather own a Toyota product on most days.

 

[skyactiv]

My wife bought a 2021 Corolla Hybrid. The Honda looks better and accelerates faster. Real world test show the Corolla gets better high speed driving MPG than the Insight. I would have chosen a Camry or Accord hybrid myself. My wife does a lot of business travel and gets paid mileage, she wanted something proven and cheap to operate. The MPG’s are better above 50F. The car is fast enough to lose your license. “Somewhere in Mexico”

 

[skyactiv]

Forgot to mention the Corolla hybrid has a traditional gear shift unlike the Prius and Insight.

 

[supton]

Though not on your list, I’d look at the Camry and accord hybrids first personally.

That was my thought. We didn’t drive the Corolla but did like the Camry (and brought it home). But we do lots of highway and hardly any city, the size isn’t an issue for us.

 

[atikovi]

Not if you plan to hold onto it for 200k+. The plug-in's do not have any cost-effective options for a HV battery replacement.

To base your buying decision on what MAY happen 10 or 15 years down the road is nuts. I'm not driving a dull, boring, anemic car for a good chunk of my life just because the battery is better.

 

[DuckRyder]

The Insight because it isn’t a Toyota.

 

[The Critic]

To base your buying decision on what MAY happen 10 or 15 years down the road is nuts. I'm not driving a dull, boring, anemic car for a good chunk of my life just because the battery is better.

To each their own, but long-term serviceability is a large part of the equation for me.

 

[Zee09]

The Insight because it isn’t a Toyota.

How well has that 19 Jetta been behaving?

 

[DuckRyder]

How well has that 19 Jetta been behaving?

Perfectly.

 

[Zee09]

To each their own, but long-term serviceability is a large part of the equation for me.

Is that Yoda1.8L using a metal oil filter these days?

 

[The Critic]

Is that Yoda1.8L using a metal oil filter these days?

Yes, but the cartridge was better IMO. The cartridge was very easy and clean to change.

 

[atikovi]

To each their own, but long-term serviceability is a large part of the equation for me.

That's kinda like the guy who eats nothing but a rice cake every morning for breakfast so he can live 6 months longer. He suffers with a lousy breakfast all his life just so he can live a little longer. And he could be hit by a bus and die at 60 and that healthy breakfast was all for nothing. Just like the car could be totaled in 10 years, but the battery is still great.

 

[Hermann]

Serious question
I have seen many that start burning oil well before 100k miles. Have you seen the same? ( Prius)

The ones that burn oil are doing long OCI's

 

[homeyclaus]

We went through those decisions in January 2020 - the Accord Hybrid won out. In mixed driving we're in the 50's in terms of mpg, and on the highway the mid 40's. Even in sport mode and hooning it gets you 40.

No CVT (no transmission, just a reduction gear), no starter motor, no serpentine belt, and less buzzy than the Avalon or Camry. Better steering feel and suspension setup. And doing my oil changes and everything is easier than it was on a Prius I did that on.

I suspect the Insight is going to be pretty much the same with a little less rear legroom.