L.A. Auto Show: Honda Insight -- a cheaper shade of green

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From the dawn of the hybrid age –- figure 2003, when the second-generation Toyota Prius appeared –- naysayers played the “hybrid premium” parlor game: Comparing the difference between the price of a hybrid vehicle and a conventionally powered model and calculating how long before you would recoup in fuel savings what you laid out for the fancy hybrid powertrain.

The coming-soon Honda Insight puts an end to all that. Priced perhaps “significantly below” a Civic Hybrid ($23,550) says a company spokesman, the Insight pretty much zeroes out the hybrid premium and returns combined fuel economy of about 45 mpg. Honda calls it a five-door – sure, whatever – and no, you’re eyes do not deceive you. It looks a lot like a Prius.

Also borrowed from the Toyota was the notion of a real-time feedback mechanism that encourages drivers to drive more efficiently. Honda’s Eco Assist instrument display glows a warm, chlorophyll-like green when drivers are driving efficiently. But during hard acceleration and braking (less efficient) the instrument backlight changes to blue. How sad.

-- Dan Neil