When it was released, the 2010 Honda Insight received its fair share of criticism. Although Honda had high hopes of taking sales from the segment-leading Prius with a new stand-alone hybrid model, the Insight was said to look too much like the car it was competing against. Despite the gripes about its familiar styling, the Insight was able to claim one important title – America’s most affordable hybrid.
Since arriving in showrooms, the Honda Insight has not managed to overtake in the 2010 Toyota Prius in terms of sales, but it successful;y made price one of the more important factors for automakers to focus on. The Insight starts at $19,800, just under the Prius.
Powering the Insights is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine along with a 10 kw electric motor. Fuel economy is strong, needless to say, but just slightly less than the new Prius with an EPA rated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 43 mpg highway.
Hybrid vehicle shoppers at St Paul Toyota have suggested that the styling has been criticized by some for being too Prius-like, but the Honda Insight is good looking nonetheless with the characteristically conservative Honda design cues and a wedge shape that has become popular among hybrid vehicles. Ultimately, the design is important for reducing drag to improve miles per gallon, and in a car like this that’s what really matters to buyers, not the styling.
The interior is a little harder to ignore. With inspiration coming from the latest Honda Civic, the Insight’s interior provides a space-aged look that isn’t the most aesthetically appealing in its class. That being said, as with all Honda vehicles, ergonomics is excellent and gauges and switches are easy to find and operate.
All hybrids seem to have very distinct pros and cons. Sure they can help save on fuel costs, but they also lack driving fun and typically come with higher price tags than non-hybrid alternatives. The 2010 Honda Insight however seems to be a solid entry. While not the biggest, nor is it capable of producing the most miles per gallon in its class, the Insight is ideal for buyers that want a hybrid vehicles, but don’t won’t to break the bank to get one.
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Read more Honda car reviews on the Car Buying Resource soon.
