Honda’s rival to the Toyota Prius arrives amid much hype, but how does it stack up? Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder finds much to like in the new Insight, from its driving experience to the fuel-friendly gauges that help him drive more efficiently. Still, the Insight has some hurdles to clear if it’s going to challenge the Prius. Watch the video to find out more.
Honda has done it again. The company doesn’t like to draw out its new-model announcements with a concept car years before the real thing hits. Nope, it develops the car, maybe shows a prototype at a car show, and months later the real thing is on lots across the country.
That’s what we’re being given with the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, a new body style of the popular sedan and coupe (shown here). No official images have been released, but expect what is essentially a hatchback version of the current Accord.
We’ll have more information on the Crosstour as it becomes available. The model will go on sale this fall.
“Out of Sight” from San Marcos, Calif., went to buy a 2009 Honda Insight and ended up somewhat disappointed after opting for a lower trim level. What’s the difference between the LX and EX? This reviewer has the details, but maybe the Insight just wasn’t the car he was looking for after all. Read on to find out what vehicle he wants to upgrade to when the time comes. After you read the full review, make sure to post your own here.
Drivers who need the space and utility of an SUV to accommodate their families but who prefer the handling and better mileage of a car have made midsize crossovers a popular option. In our last look at the midsize crossover category, the Honda Pilot came away from our panel of reviewers triumphant. Now we stack the 2009 Pilot against the 2009 Nissan Murano and Ford Edge Sport. Find out which vehicle excels in which categories, and which took the overall prize.
The 2010 Honda Pilot went on sale nationally today. The model sees no equipment changes on any trim levels, and pricing also remains relatively unchanged. The 2010 Pilot is about $150-$300 more, depending on trim level, than the 2009 model.
You may not find 2010 models on all dealer lots today, but there are still significant inventories of 2009 models out there. We found more than 500 in Cars.com's new-car inventory in the Chicago area.
There are currently no advertised incentives on the 2009 model, but dealers will often make deals to make way for new-model-year vehicles. Full pricing for the 2010 models is below.
Japan's Nikkei business daily is reporting that Honda will roll out a hybrid version of its Fit subcompact in the fall of 2010. Presumably this would be in Japan, before a worldwide launch later on. The company has already said it will release a hybrid CR-Z sports car in 2010.
The move comes on the heels of a recent spike in demand for the new hybrid Insight in Japan. We're guessing the recent mileage enhancements for U.S. vehicles also helped Honda pull the trigger a bit early.
Reuters rightly notes that Nikkei doesn't name sources for some of its information, including a starting price of roughly $15,800 for the Fit Hybrid when it goes on sale in Japan. That’s $3,000 less than what the Insight is selling for in Japan.
We can’t imagine the Fit Hybrid going for that small an amount, and suggest that the report be taken with a grain of salt.
Honda to roll out hybrid Fit in autumn 2010: report (Reuters)
2009|Honda|Fit
Compact cars usually garner attention for their low price tags and advantageous fuel economy numbers, but our Weekend Athlete, Bill Jackson, wants to put the spotlight on the utilitarian side of these vehicles. With this in mind, he lined up three of the most popular compacts: The Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. Which vehicle best matches utility with economy? Read this Cars.comparison to find out.
Honda is teaming up with C3, better known as the promoter of Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Each year, those festivals draw thousands of music fans to Chicago and Austin, Texas. Honda wants to reach those fans through a so-called “eco-partnership.”
Honda will use the events to push its new Insight, which it bills as the most affordable hybrid on the market. The sponsorship includes “integrated green activities,” hybrid vehicle displays and — most tempting of all — a giveaway of a 2010 Insight at each event.
If you want a chance at that free Insight, you can head to Lollapalooza in Chicago from Aug. 7-9 or Austin from Oct. 2-4.
2010|Honda|Insight
Normally, three-row crossovers like the Honda Pilot breeze through Weekend Athlete tests with such ease that I don’t always bend over backward to test them. But, with a slow week and a new 2009 Honda Pilot in the office, I gave it a shot and found a few surprises.
If you’ve been waiting to buy a new car until the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid went on sale, well, today’s the day: Honda is officially saying the car is available for purchase. In a check of Cars.com’s national inventory, we found 478 Insights for sale, ranging in price from $19,800 to $25,678. That’s not a lot for a nationwide search, so expect more to arrive in the coming days. The 2010 Toyota Prius goes on sale in May.
As a helpful reminder, with brand-new models like this, inventory often moves quickly — dealers aren’t lying to you when they say it’s already sold. Call ahead and make sure the car is there if you’re interested in test-driving one.You can check local inventory and build your own insight using the links in the box below.
More Honda Insight News
Cars.com 2010 Honda Insight Review
2010|Honda|Insight
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