Closeup of red 2021 Prius

Safety

  • The 2021 Prius has two grades with AWD-e, while the Insight only comes with FWD and Honda’s official site does not mention AWD as an available option.
  • Both cars have suites of safety features, but Honda Sensing® lacks Road Sign Assist in the Insight.
  • The Honda Insight doesn't have knee airbags and seat cushion airbags which the Toyota Prius has.

The 2021 Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight both have plenty of safety features. So which sedan has the best features for you? Let's take a look at their safety specs.

Standard Safety Features

For starters, the Prius has two models with available AWD-e for extra traction up to 43 mph when inclement weather or adverse driving conditions exist. Prius drivers can choose between the LE AWD-e and XLE AWD-e to take advantage of an All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. Plus, the Prius has the highest estimated fuel economy of any vehicle with AWD available. However, Honda’s official site does not mention AWD as an available option for the 2021 Insight.

Plus, all 2021 Prius models come standard with an active suite of safety features called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0). TSS 2.0 includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Road Sign Assist (RSA).

Honda, for its part, has its own safety suite called Honda Sensing®. This suite includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). It misses out on a comparable Road Sign Assist feature.

When it comes to passive safety, the 2021 Prius has driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, passenger seat cushion airbag, driver's knee airbag, rear airbags, and front and rear curtain shield airbags. The Honda Insight has Advanced front airbags (i-SRS), SmartVent® front side airbags, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, but misses out on knee airbags and seat cushion airbags. Seat cushion airbags help prevent you from sliding forward in the event of a crash.
Interior of 2021 Prius

Interior

  • The base model Insight LX misses out on Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ which the base model Prius L Eco has standard.
  • Both high-end models of the Insight and Prius have 10 speakers.
  • The base model Toyota Prius L Eco has a larger screen than the base model Insight LX.

We all know the latest interior features can help you feel plugged in to every driving adventure. To that end, a hybrid sedan with a large touchscreen, great connectivity features, and excellent standard audio system will do the trick.

Multimedia and Connected Features

The base-grade 2021 Prius L Eco has many impressive standard multimedia features. Don't miss out on Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa compatibility standard in the Prius. You can also stay connected with Bluetooth® wireless technology and SiriusXM® with a 3-month All Access trial. Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink and Streaming Audio are standard on the Insight LX. However, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Integration, SiriusXM® Radio, and HondaLink®, which is compatible with Amazon Alexa, are only standard on the Insight EX or higher.

When it comes to sound, both the Prius and Insight base models have six speakers. For an upgraded sound system, the Prius Limited comes with ten JBL® speakers. The higher-end Insight Touring also has ten speakers including a Subwoofer.

We've taken care of sound. What about sight? The base-grade Prius L Eco has a 7-in. touchscreen. For a bigger view, the Prius Limited trim has an 11.6 in. touchscreen. On the other hand, the Insight base trim LX has a 5-Inch Color LCD Screen. To get the Insight's largest 8-in. touchscreen option, you'd need to get the Insight EX trim or higher.

Stay even more connected on the road with Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, an Emergency Assistance Button, and the Stolen Vehicle Locator with an included 1-year trial of Safety Connect®. Honda has a similar service called HondaLink® but it is not available on the Insight LX.
View of the 2021 Prius from the back

Reliability

  • Toyota's hybrid battery warranty lasts two years and 50,000 miles longer than Honda's hybrid battery warranty.
  • ToyotaCare comes on all trims of the Prius and includes factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Insight's HondaCare costs extra.
  • The Prius L Eco has better EPA-estimated mpg ratings than the Insight LX.

If you're looking for a reliable hybrid vehicle, look no further than the Toyota Prius. Every Toyota is built with “Quality, Durability, and Reliability” in mind.

Hybrid Battery Warranty and ToyotaCare

Know you're covered with the recently extended Prius hybrid battery warranty which now lasts for 10 years and 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Insight has a battery warranty lasting 8 years and 100,000 miles.

The 2021 Toyota Prius also comes with ToyotaCare. The factory-scheduled maintenance plan lasts 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Insight has HondaCare, but it’s not included. Additionally, HondaCare cost, breadth of coverage, and duration of coverage depends on the plan you buy.

ToyotaCare also comes with Roadside Assistance which lasts 3 years and unlimited miles for the Prius. The Honda Roadside Assistance program also lasts for 3 years/unlimited miles for Insight owners.

Plus, you can rely on the Prius to get you farther with higher EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings and a larger fuel tank. The Prius L Eco has an EPA-estimated 58/53/56 (city/highway/combined) mpg rating and 11.3 gallon fuel tank. On the flip side, the Insight LX has an EPA-estimated 55/49/52 (city/highway/combined) mpg rating and a smaller 10.6 gallon fuel tank.

Conclusion: Prius vs. Insight

The 2021 Prius and the Honda Insight have a lot of great features and similarities, but the Prius stands out with several great features. The Prius wins for its connectivity options, active safety features, and for its reliability features that can save you money on repairs and maintenance.

  • While the Insight only comes with FWD and no mention of an AWD option is found on Honda’s official site, the 2021 Prius pulls ahead with two AWD-e trims.
  • The Prius' standard active safety features include Road Sign Assist (RSA), which isn't offered with the Insight.
  • The Prius comes with two types of airbags you won't find with the Insight; knee airbags and seat cushion airbags.
  • The base model Prius L Eco comes standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, while those connectivity options aren't available with the base model Insight LX.
  • The Prius L Eco comes standard with a larger screen than you can get with the base model Insight LX.
  • The two-year, 25,000 mile ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance plan comes standard on all Prius trims, plus the Toyota hybrid battery warranty lasts two years and 50,000 miles longer than Honda's hybrid battery warranty.