2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid vs. Honda Insight Comparison: MPG Kings
Both the 2020 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid and the Honda Insight can crack 50 MPG for under $25,000.
Are you on the market for new, inexpensive and fuel efficient commuter car? Perhaps, this being Honda-tech, you’re finally getting worn out from daily driving a 20 year old car. That’s fine, sometimes it’s nice to roll around in something new, comfy and quiet. But what car is really the king of the commuter cars?
Well, again, this being Honda-tech, you may be inclined to go check out a new Civic. After all, the tenth-gen Civic is loaded with tech, modern powertrains and is still an inexpensive way to get around. But what if you want more than the 42 MPG offered by the most frugal base model Civic, and you have a touch more cash to spend? Then, perhaps, the Civic-based Honda Insight hybrid is what you’re looking for. The Insight can crack up to 55 MPG, depending on the options chosen, which sounds great.
But before you buy, it would be prudent to check out an alternative or two. Looking at multiple options ensures you know which car is really the right fit for you. So, what is the closest competitor to the $25,000 Honda Insight, currently on sale today? Well, that has to be the all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid, of course. It’s roughly the same size, offers comparable fuel economy and is about the same price. Which one is the right buy? Well, let’s find out.
Initial Impressions of Both Cars
Visually, the Corolla Hybrid is inoffensive, if, perhaps, a bit dull to look at. Subtlety was definitely mission operative of the design team with this one, which is fine, if that’s your preference. The sportier SE and hatchback models definitely up the visual flair.
On the flip side, Insight takes styling cues from both Civic and Accord and offers a notably more upscale look. The LED headlights, fog lights and tail lights look like truly premium items more likely to appear on an Audi than an inexpensive compact sedan. The theme continues in profile, where the larger 17-inch rolling stock offers more curb appeal than the Corolla’s Hybrid model-specific 15-inch wheels.
In the interest of full disclosure, while Honda offers Insight in the typical LX, EX and Touring trims, Honda’s press fleet only features the top spec Touring model, which rings in around $28,000, versus the $25,000 price point that EX can be scored at. The base model Insight LX costs $23,860, including the $930 destination charge.
The Corolla LE Hybrid only comes in one specification, and costs $23,880, including Toyota’s $930 destination charge. Any options added to the Corolla, from there, are optional dealer-installed accessories, like all-weather floor mats, door guards, etc. As these specific cars sit, there is about a $3,000 price discrepancy between the two of them, with the Toyota being less expensive.
Sitting Inside the Toyota Corolla and Honda Insight
Right away, Insight looks and feels more upscale. Of course, some of that is attributed to this Touring model’s heated leather seats, and use of notably higher quality materials throughout the cabin. However, discounting the leather, the layout and packaging of Insight is clearly superior.
Much like the current Civic, Insight offers a nice, low seating position, when the seat is dropped to its lowest setting. It feels like you’re sitting in the car, while the Corolla feels more like you’re sitting on top of it.
Both cars feature digital, and configurable instrument panels. The Corolla’s display is brightly-lit, and notably more pixelated than the Insight, and its high-resolution screen, but it is much easier to get in and immediately interpret. Insight can feel like information overload, by comparison, especially if you hit the wrong button and the screen configuration changes on you.
ALSO SEE: 2017 Honda Civic Si Drive Review: The Best Si Ever Made
This theme carries on throughout the interior. The Corolla Hybrid has a simple, minimalist layout. It has a steering wheel, some seats, a shifter, an instrument panel and a basic infotainment screen. The Insight, again, can feel like information overload coming from the Toyota. There are a lot more buttons, and requires a few minutes’ worth of familiarization before you can feel comfortable with where the important buttons are, and how everything works.
Speaking of that infotainment screen, the Honda blows the Toyota out of the water. It’s sharp looking, intuitive to navigate and responsive, making for one of the nicer screens across the entire auto industry right now. Really. The Corolla features a very paired-back infotainment screen, that is simple to use, but slow to respond to inputs and very basic to look at. With all of a car’s controls wrapping around these screens in new cars, this can be a deal breaker for buyers. The Honda system proved to be worth its weight in gold.
Continue reading about the Honda Insight and Toyota Corolla Hybrid on the next page…
