Honda Insight: Like the Prius, Only Cheaper

The Honda Insight, a new concept vehicle.

Photo: Honda

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Honda unveiled its concept Honda Insight, a hybrid gas-electric that will hit the market in 2010 as a cheaper alternative (that looks remarkably similar) to the Toyota Prius.

The Prius has been the icon for eco-savvy car buyers, but a raft of new options are coming. The Chevy Volt, from General Motors has been getting extraordinary buzz and Chrysler recently unveiled three electric or hybrid models that are coming soon.

And with a $25 billion infusion from Congress, U.S. automakers are being encouraged to meet new federal fuel efficiency standards. The public is already demanding high standards, as sales of SUVs and trucks have stagnated, and sales of highly efficient used vehicles, like the humble Chevy Prizm, have skyrocketed.

The Honda Insight has been around since 1999 -- the first hybrid on the market. But the two-seater has never rivaled the cachet or sales potential of the Prius, so Honda is rolling out a five-seat hatchback. It's supposed to cost under $20,000, which is about $3,000 less than either Honda's hybrid Civic, or the Prius.

Here's a look:

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