First Photo: Production Honda Insight Hybrid

Honda has just released the first image of the production version of the Honda Insight hybrid, which will go on sale early next year. The car will officially debut at the Detroit auto show in January, when we’ll hopefully learn its exact price. For now, all Honda will say is that it will be the most affordable hybrid sold. Rumors have it coming in at a sub-$19,000 price.

More news on the Honda Insight

Comments

[J]

Where do I sign up for this baby?

[Tony]

Looks like a Honda

[GR]

I pray to sweet Jesus that they put the instrumentation in front of the driver, not in the center stack.

[Dave T]

GR
It is in front of the driver.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/11/hondas-eco-assi.html

[Troy S.]

I really want one of these cars. It's nicely styled, practical, affordable and needed to fill a gap in Honda's lineup.

I think the low fuel costs we are currently enjoying is purley temporary. Unfortunately, the economy has taken it's toll on me so I will be unable to afford a new car for quite some time. I don't think I'm the only one in this predicament either.

[Billy4202]

At least Honda got rid of the 22" rims, that made no sense on the concept.

[Bowrider]

There must be some practical reason for making it look like the Prius...

[Peppy]

Prius re-badged?

[SouthTX]

Good front ugly back part... but anything is prettier than a Prius.

[Red]

The Insight is not in the same league as the Prius. It's easy to see from the photo that the Insight is a noticeably smaller car than the Prius - hence the attractive price. The automotive Press likes to write that the Insight "will face off against the Prius," when in fact it's an attractive and more affordable, yet smaller alternative.

[Find Cars]

I don't like this there is nothing to like about it at all

[Thrifty]

This is not one of their best designs, it could have been a lot better.

[J]

The reason behind the similarity of design when comparing to the Prius is simple: Air resistance

[Dave T]

J,
Air resistance, fitting a battery under the cargo floor and the need for a hatch because of the battery location.

[Skinner]

Kinda looks like a stretched CRX. Probably doesn't get as good mileage as one, either. Too bad making cars safer meant taking a big hit on fuel economy.

[GR]

I like it but would like it even more if it were available in a two door model like the original Insight. I hate four-door vehicles because I have long legs and arms and when the seat is properly positioned, the b-pillar is right beside my head in a four-door vehicle. In a two-door vehicle, the b-pillar is positioned just far enough back that it isn't an obstacle to getting in and out of the car or to visibility. Since so many buy these cars as low fuel usage commuters, why shouldn't they throw a two-door model on the road in addition to this four-door model?

[J]

Dave,
Thanks for the clear up.

One question, how useful is the hatch then?

[Max Reid]

Still Honda has never mentioned the vehicle's dimensions.

Even if its smaller its good, after all its a 5-seater. In the times of drowning auto sales, this type of vehicle should jump in the sales.

Time to move from Big SUV's to smaller Hatch'es and CUV's.

[Mike]

The concept car was MUCH better looking. The production version is just as boring and UNstylish as the prius.....Sad that Honda couldn't have some courage and bring a futuristic, forward looking design to the market, and instead is just copying toyota.
I was seriously thinking about getting one before but now it's just lame and not that exciting.

[Mike]

The concept car was MUCH better looking. The production version is just as boring and UNstylish as the prius.....Sad that Honda couldn't have some courage and bring a futuristic, forward looking design to the market, and instead is just copying toyota.
I was seriously thinking about getting one before but now it's just lame and not that exciting.

[Don Evans]

As the owner of two Priuses and a hybrid Camry I am pro-hybrid, but not because gas is -- or was, anyway -- expensive; it is because fossil fuel supplies are not inexhaustible and I feel I have to do my part to conserve those supplies. So I applaud Honda getting back to an entry-level hybrid for the masses. If it looks like a Prius, maybe that is because the Prius has the lowest coefficient of drag of any four-door, five passenger car yet produced.