2010 Honda Insight Preview
Overview
Honda appears finally to have learned how to play in the hybrid game.
Simply putting a hybrid powertrain in a regular car doesn’t cut it. If
a carmaker wants to be taken seriously, it had better deliver a hybrid
that looks like what the market has said it wants a hybrid to look
like. And that, apparently, given the sales numbers, is a Toyota Prius.
Hence, the all-new, Honda Insight is virtually a carbon copy of that
market leader.
Beyond that obvious surrender to a take-no-big-chances market, however,
the 2010 Honda Insight does manage to march to a slightly different
drummer. It’s smaller than the Prius, for instance, which isn’t
necessarily a plus, as interior room suffers. But it’s lighter, which
is a plus, as less weight contributes to it’s being a somewhat livelier
driver.
Beyond this, it generally stays the course, with the common array of
standard features plus an optional navigation system and Bluetooth
capability. It also can be ordered with gimmicky paddle shifters that
imposes an artificial construct of seven electronically created ratios
on the continuously variable automatic transmission.
When the new Honda Insight is measured against the outgoing-generation
2009 Toyota Prius, it definitely hums a different tune. Put simply, the
Insight’s EPA-rated City/Highway 40/43 miles per gallon trails
significantly the 48/45 mpg rating for the Prius. Honda appears to
believe its faithful will willingly trade a few miles per gallon for a
modestly quicker car.
Perhaps the most significant change Honda brings to the hybrid market
is price competition. With the Insight, shoppers now have two similar
cars from which to choose. The 2010 Honda Insight’s $19,800
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price just slightly undercuts the $21,000
MSRP of the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius. The first-generation 2009 Prius
retailed for $23,375.
The 2010 Insight comes in one configuration: a four-door,
five-passenger sedan. One powertrain is available: a combination of a
1.3-liter, 88-horsepower, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and a
10-kilowatt, 13-hp, brushless, DC motor. Power goes only to the front
wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). In
the top two of the three models offered, steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles manage a computer-generated seven-speed, simulated-manual
gearbox. The base model uses a standard CVT that’s efficient and highly
competent.
Model Lineup
The 2010 Honda Insight comes in three models: The LX ($19,800)
is well-equipped with automatic climate control; powered windows,
outside mirrors and central locking; a four-speaker, 150-watt,
multi-media-capable sound system including speed-sensitive volume
control; a multi-information display showing, among other data bits,
fuel economy, average speed, exterior temperature and a real-time map
of the hybrid system’s energy flows; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel;
manual driver’s seat height adjustment; and 60/40-split, fold-down rear
seatback.
The EX ($21,300) adds cruise control; the paddle shifters; front center
console with armrest and storage bin, which, however, drops the drink
holder count from eight to six; driver and passenger seatback map
pockets; map lights; and two speakers and a USB connector to the sound
system. The EX with Navi ($23,100) includes a navigation system with
6.5-inch screen; voice recognition; routing and guidance; and Bluetooth
hands-free capability.
Safety features include front, side-impact and curtain airbags,
antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist;
tire pressure monitoring system; and rear seat child safety seat
anchors (LATCH). Only the EX gets electronic vehicle stability assist,
which includes traction control.