In a closer look at the 2010 Honda Insight, Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder takes a look at the backseat and cargo space of the new hybrid. Wiesenfelder points to some distinct design choices that make the vehicle more functional and driver-friendly than some of its hybrid predecessors. As he puts it, “There are advantages to building a hybrid from scratch.”
One of the major stories from the 2009 Detroit auto show was the debut of the Honda Insight, which will supposedly be the lowest-priced hybrid on the market. Then Toyota came in with the 2010 Prius, which has an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 50 mpg, making it far and away the most fuel-efficient car out there. The race for king of the hybrid segment is on, and Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder have the first take on where each vehicle stands.
After test-driving the latest hybrid from Honda last month, Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder spent some time checking out the 2010 Honda Insight on the floor of the 2009 Detroit auto show. Honda’s answer to the Prius had Wiesenfelder’s full attention, and in this video he takes you on a tour through the car, comparing it to Toyota’s flagship hybrid as well as other Honda hybrids. He also takes a look at drivability, space and gas mileage.
The Honda Insight name — used between 1999 and 2006 for the first gasoline-electric hybrid in North America — is back for 2009 as a 2010 model, this time representing an affordable four-door, five-seat hatchback. The original was a two-door two-seater. Honda won't price the model until closer to April, when it hits dealerships, but the company promises it will be the most affordable hybrid on the market. That puts it below the 2009 Prius, which starts at $22,000.
Though Honda sold hybrid Accord sedans in the past and still markets a Civic Hybrid, the Insight is distinct because it’s a hybrid-only model, like the Toyota Prius. To cut to the chase, the Insight's EPA-estimated mileage is 40/43 mpg, which in hybrid terms isn't particularly impressive. The larger Civic Hybrid is rated 40/45 mpg, and the 2009 Prius rates 48/45 mpg. (What's more, the 2010 Prius that will also debut in Detroit is rumored to be still more efficient.) However, I and many other drivers at the Insight's national media preview last month in Arizona exceeded the EPA estimate handily.
The 2009 Insight is Honda's new "Prius fighter." How do you fight a Prius? With a lower price and comparable gas mileage. Honda promises the price — which won't be determined until closer to its April on-sale date — will be below that of the Prius, which starts at $22,000 for 2009. As for mileage, the Insight's EPA-estimated 40/43 mpg doesn't touch the current Prius' 48/45 mpg rating, and the 2010 Prius that will be introduced tomorrow is rumored to be still more efficient. Early reports, however, are that the Insight exceeds its EPA estimates substantially, so we shall see.
Like the original Insight, which sold in the 2000-06 model years, the new generation comes only as a hybrid, though this one has five seats instead of two. Like the Prius, it's a hatchback with folding rear seats. All other hybrid cars to date have sacrificed cargo space or folding seats, or both. The Insight wasn't technically designed from the ground up; from the B-pillars forward it shares its underlying structure with the Honda Fit, but behind that point it's specifically designed to accommodate occupants, a gas tank, a high-voltage battery and associated electronic components — something hybridized gas-only models never do efficiently. Honda thinks of the Insight as a subcompact car, but the EPA classifies it as a compact based on its interior volume.
In effect, the Insight can accelerate on electric power alone up to 30 mph — or 50 mph when going downhill — but doesn't give the same silent electric-only experience as most hybrids. Honda says the big advancements in this new generation of Integrated Motor Assist are manufacturing cost and durability. There's now an "econ" mode to help maximize mileage. As for the car, it distinguishes itself with a sporty driving character.
The Insight comes in LX and EX trim levels with identical cloth upholstery and quality finishes. The EX is mainly distinguished by functional features, including cruise control, a USB audio interface and heated side mirrors with signal lights. The EX also adds alloy wheels, seatback pockets, visor vanity mirrors, a center armrest storage console between the front seats, and steering-wheel controls, including paddle shifters for the standard continuously variable automatic transmission (an odd marriage). The EX can also have an optional navigation system and Bluetooth compatibility. Satellite radio is not offered.
Both trim levels have six airbags and antilock brakes, but only the EX includes an electronic stability system with traction control. We’ll have a full review of the new Insight on Cars.com later today. For now, check out tons of photos below.
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
Kelsey Mays checks out Honda's answer to the Toyota Prius. The Insight concept is bound for production in the near future, so Mays runs down what to expect when the new hybrid goes into production. Plus, it somehow has something to do with Dennis Quaid's career. Sorry, but you'll need to watch the video for an explanation.
Last week, Ford revealed a new energy-conscious instrument cluster — filled with interactive leaves — for the Fusion and Milan hybrids. Ford’s reasoning was that hybrid owners demand better communication in order to maximize fuel efficiency. Well, it appears Honda and Ford hired the same analysts, because Honda has just revealed a very similar system.
Honda’s system, dubbed Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) will debut in the spring of 2009 on the all-new Honda Insight. The system uses a two-tier instrument cluster (similar to the Civic’s) to communicate effective driving habits. The speedometer’s background color changes depending on how you're driving — green for light acceleration and cruising, blue for hard acceleration and braking.
The biggest news to come out of Paris about the Honda Insight concept you see here is that we’ll see the real thing in January at the Detroit auto show. OK, maybe that’s not the biggest news. We also learn that the Insight’s power plant is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder teamed with a revised version of Honda’s hybrid power plant, already found in the Civic Hybrid.
Unfortunately, Honda bosses say the mileage will also be similar to the Civic Hybrid, which gets 40/45 mpg city/highway. So don’t expect this thing to top 50 mpg.
At least it’ll be cheaper than a Civic Hybrid. The rumored price floating around the internet is $18,500, or about the price of a decently equipped standard Civic. Honda says it will produce 200,000 Insights annually for global sale. It has again been confirmed that a production version of the CR-Z hybrid will also go on sale sometime after that, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit.
Check out our previous coverage of the Insight and the new array of photos below.
As energy concerns swirl in political circles, the auto world should really take a look at the upcoming Honda Insight. The concept was unveiled yesterday as the guidepost for the future of consumer choice.
Personally, I think there will be a waiting list a mile long for the new Insight. Honda is planning to produce 100,000 in the first year, which translates to 8,333 sales a month. The Prius sells twice that many units on tight demand. The Insight will cost less and probably get similar or better mileage than the Prius.
What do you think? Will the Insight be a grand slam or just a mildly popular choice among the many hybrids on the market?
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