Vehicle Tested
| 2010 Honda Insight
Base Price: $21,300
At-Tested Price: $22,010
Built in Japan.
Options
None
Engine: 1.3-Liter four-cylinder with electric assist
Transmission: CVT Automatic
DriveWheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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Honda revives the Insight nameplate for its new-for-2010 dedicated hybrid. The previous Insight was a two-door coupe with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain that sold in limited numbers and was last seen in the 2006 model year. The 2010 Honda Insight is a five-passenger, four-door hatchback that shares chassis components with the Honda Fit.
The Insight and the
Toyota Prius are both hybrids and share strikingly similar silhouettes, but the are quite different vehicles. With a wheelbase of 100.4 inches, the new Insight classifies as a subcompact. In comparison, the similar looking Toyota Prius hybrid has a wheelbase of 106.3 inches, making it a true compact car. In addition, the Insight drivetrain does not allow for electric-only operation at low speeds and the Prius can operate as an electric vehicle at speeds less than 25 mph for short periods of time.
Insight's powertrain consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that combine to produce 98 horsepower (88 hp for the gas engine and 10 hp for the electric motor). The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the continuously variable transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle's forward momentum during braking. This regenerative braking charges the Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batter pack, so there is no need for plug-in charging.
LX and EX trim levels are offered. Both come standard with antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. EX models get stability control. Park assist and rear-view monitor are not offered.
The LX lists for $19,800 and includes air conditioning with automatic climate control, tilt-telescope steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, split-folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, theft-deterrent system, and 175/65SR15 tires.
EX has an MSRP of $21,300 and adds to the LX traction control, cruise control, center console, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, upgraded sound system with iPod controls, variable-intermittent wipers, and alloy wheels.
There are no factory installed options, but there is a navigation package that's available on the EX. It costs $2800 and adds navigation system with voice recognition, steering wheel radio controls, and Bluetooth cell-phone link. The Insight is built in Japan and carries a $710 destination charge.
Get Up and Go With a 0-60 mph time of about 11 seconds, Insight isn't likely to win many stoplight grand prix. And, though the 0-60 time is similar to many other subcompacts, the driver's must dive deep into the throttle to maintain pace with traffic.
Part of the problem is that the continuously variable transmission is slow to react to throttle input--though it does provide smooth and seamless acceleration. Also, there's a driver selectable ECO mode that changes throttle mapping and makes Insight respond to throttle input with a sluggishness that could only be appealing to right-lane aficionados.
Fuel economy is a huge plus. Insight is rated at 40 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. Those numbers are about 10 mpg better than most other subcompact cars. Routine Chicagoland commuting is likely to yield about 44 mpg.
One downside to the miserly fuel consumption is an abrupt transition when the gasoline engine kicks on and off. This is a common trait to nearly all hybrid vehicles, but in the case of the Insight, the transition is more noticeable.
On the Road Insight doesn't ride with the level of suspension compliance that most might expect from a subcompact car. Though never hard riding, Insight rides with a bound and chop that isn't necessarily desirable. Some of the busyness can be attributed to the hard, low-rolling-resistance tires, but overall, the suspension just doesn't seem that absorbent on Chicago's pock-marked roads.
On the flip side, Insight feels more sporty than a typical subcompact. The steering is accurate and body lean is nicely kept in check. The tires give up grip too quickly for the car to be considered sporty, but the overall feel is one of competence.
Mucking up the sporty nature are spongy brakes that cycle in and out of regeneration mode with too much fanfare. Ultimately, they provide good stopping power, but there's a little bit of drama as you slow to a stop and the brakes switch from regeneration mode to friction mode.
Staying true to its mission as a hyper-economy mobile, Insight foregoes much of the sound-deadening material that's standard in a typical subcompact. That means Insight has more road and wind noise at highway speeds and more engine noise when accelerating than a typical competitor. In addition, the economy-minded tires kick up too much racket on grooved concrete surfaces.
Behind the Wheel Insight's interior is predictably understated. That's not to say it is austere, but generally there's little surface padding and materials are nothing more than class appropriate.
The design is modern without being distracting. Driver's face a two-tiered instrument cluster. The bottom tier falls within the steering wheel and houses tachometer and information display. The upper tier is positioned above the top of the steering wheel and it houses the large digital speedometer. The array is somewhat confusing at first, but grows more comfortable as the miles pile up. Another nice feature is speedo backlighting that changes from blue to green as fuel economy picks up.
Climate controls are directly to the right of the steering wheel. They are somewhat muddled, but at least they are clearly marked. Radio controls, whether they be on the standard head unit or integrated into the available navigation system, are straight forward and logical. iPod operation is acceptable but isn't as easy as expected given the car's youth bent. Other controls are placed logically and are clearly marked.
Front-seat passengers are treated to impressive head and leg room--given Insights trim exterior dimensions. The seating position is a bit low though and the cushions are too firm for long-trip comfort. Driver comfort is greatly aided by the center-console armrest, which is only offered on the EX. Visibility is blocked by large windshield pillars and the split-rear window design.
The rear seat isn't nearly as accommodating as the front. Adults should be find on smaller trips, but head and knee room are tight and the seat isn't designed for long-haul comfort. In addition, the door openings are quite narrow, making getting in and out difficult.
Insight's hatchback design makes the most of the available cargo space, though loading large items can be somewhat awkward because of a tall liftover. For security freaks, there are a couple of covered under-floor bins for stowing a purse or laptop. Interior storage is class average, though a few more open storage bins in the center console would be welcome.
Bottom Line Though they look alike and are both hybrids, people shouldn't compare Insight with Prius. The Insight is a very affordable economy car and the Prius tries to be a high-economy mainstream compact.
That said, Insight has as many pluses as minuses. The powertrain is very efficient, but it's also somewhat off-putting in operation. The ride is quite sporty, but it's also very busy. Interior room is great up front, but not so good in the second row.
The biggest selling points--very high mileage and a low base price--are the most important to most buyers in this class. Insight is best suited to urban commuting and light-duty highway travel. In those capacities, the fuel-economy benefits help to outweigh some of its shortcomings.
Specifications, 2010 Honda Insight EX
| Dimensions
| 4-door hatchback
| Engine
| OHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 100.4
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 1.3 / 79
| Length, in.
| 172.3
| Horsepower @ rpm
| 98 @ 5800
| Width, in.
| 66.7
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 123 @ 1000 - 1500
| Height, in.
| 56.2
| Transmission
| CVT Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 2734
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 40 city / 43 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 31.5
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 10.6
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 38.4
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.3
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 35.9
| Free Roadside Assistance
| None
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 33.5
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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