The Honda Insight hybrid is back. Under the new Insight's hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Notably, the gas engine's crankshaft never stops spinning, even when the Insight is operating solely on electric power, so there's no unseemly coughing or rumbling as the gas engine comes online.
With a starting price in the high teens, the Insight handily undercuts its crosstown rival's $22,000 base price, not to mention the Civic Hybrid's $23,550 cost of entry. The 2010 Honda Insight is a four-door hatchback available in base LX and uplevel EX trims. The EX adds alloy wheels, side-mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, stability control, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port and a fully integrated iPod connection. The 2010 Honda Insight's hybrid system consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. According to Honda, EPA fuel economy ratings are 40 mpg city/43 highway and 41 combined.
All Insights come standard with antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. However, the base Insight LX lacks stability control and traction control, which come standard on the EX. Inside, the 2010 Honda Insight is a distinctive mix of familiar Honda design elements and edgy hybrid-themed flourishes. Toyota's roomy hybrid still trumps the Insight in this regard.
Driving Impressions The words "hybrid" and "sporty" remain mutually exclusive at this modest price point, but the 2010 Honda Insight is by far the most enjoyable hybrid hatchback to drive.
There is a new base model for the 2011 Honda Insight, which drops the base price along with several features. All Insights now come standard with stability control. When it debuted last year, the Honda Insight took on the Toyota Prius. Next comes the driving experience. Certainly, there are some upsides to the 2011 Honda Insight. The 2011 Honda Insight is available in three trim levels: base, LX and EX. The EX adds 15-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, steering wheel shift paddles, steering wheel audio controls, vanity mirrors and six speakers. The 2011 Honda Insight's hybrid system consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway and 41 mpg combined. Safety
Every 2011 Honda Insight comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), brake assist, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. In Edmunds brake testing, the Insight came to a stop from 60 mph in 125 feet -- a good distance for a compact hybrid. The Insight has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. In side-impact tests, the Insight received five stars for the driver and four stars for rear passengers. Regardless of trim level, the Insight lacks rear seat headroom; it's tight even for those of average height. Driving Impressions As a hybrid, the 2011 Honda Insight delivers on the promise of miserly fuel economy. Thanks to responsive steering and relatively sporty suspension tuning, the Honda Insight is more fun and responsive to drive that a Prius. When the current Honda Insight was introduced in March 2009 as a 2010 model it was hailed as the “Toyota Prius fighter.” With around $1,500 difference in price, combined with the Prius’s 51 mpg city and 48 highway versus the Insight’s 40 city/43 highway, the projected Insight sales of 70,000 per year hasn’t happened. Ower Price Model, More Features For 2011 To be more competitive and jump start the sluggish sales, Honda has added a new entry-level Insight hybrid model to its 2011 lineup. Priced at $18,200 ($1,600 less than the lowest priced 2010 model) gives it a walloping $4,610 price advantage over the base Toyota Prius II. Topping the Insight lineup is the EX with a window sticker of $21,490. The differences between the 2011 Honda Insight and the 2011 Toyota Prius, can be easily summarized: The Insight is thousands of dollars cheaper, gets comparable fuel economy, has a crisper look and provides a more agile and enjoyable ride. The dashboard of the Insight looks like a blending of the Honda Civic and Honda Fit. The hybrid heart of the system is the fifth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. Just as Ford has done with the new Fusion hybrid, Honda has updated the Insight's battery, making it smaller and lighter. While the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are similar in looks, auto critics seem to favor the Insight. About the Insight’s cabin, Kelly Blue Book commented, “Inside, the Insight’s unique design offers a mixed bag of elements where positives outweigh
Negatives.” Driver Controls and Feedback, For Max MPG Our take is Insight drives quite differently than the Prius. Despite any misgivings with the Honda Insight, hybrid fans should celebrate a viable alternative to the Toyota Prius.
The Honda Insight hybrid is back. Under the new Insight's hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Notably, the gas engine's crankshaft never stops spinning, even when the Insight is operating solely on electric power, so there's no unseemly coughing or rumbling as the gas engine comes online.