The 2010 Honda Insight is the first vehicle able to put some serious pressure on the #1 hybrid, the Toyota Prius. It succeeds in offering excellent fuel efficiency, a smooth hybrid powertrain, a pleasant driving experience, and plenty of features ... and with more affordable pricing.
With a price starting in the upper teens, the Insight comes in well under Prius' base price of $22,000. Even a decked out Insight EX model with navigation isn't priced much more than a very basic Prius. Let the hybrid price wars begin. It can only be good for consumers.
Powering the Insight is Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. It's able to move the car up to 30 mph without help from the gas engine. The electric motor is powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack that gets recharged by brake use. And even when the Insight is running on electric power only, the crankshaft of the gas engine is always spinning, allowing for a smooth, unnoticable transition when the gas engine kicks in.
Standard Features And Options:
The four-door hatchback 2010 Honda Insight is offered in LX and EX trims.
Standard features on the already well-equipped LX model include full power accessories, automatic climate control, a tilt and telescoping steering column, a height-adjustable driver seat, 15 inch steel wheels, and a four-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack.
Standard on the uplevel EX model are all the above, plus alloy wheels, stability control, side-mirror-mounted turn signals, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, and a six-speaker sound system with a fully integrated iPod connection and USB port.
The only available optional feature is a navigation system with voice-controls and Bluetooth connectivity which is offered on the EX only.
Update: Bad Economy Leads To Lower Insight Prices:
There's no question that dealers are struggling in the current slow economic environment. What's more, gas prices are well off their highs. The bottom line is that there are some extremely good deals to be had right now on a new Insight ... often below invoice prices, sometimes far below.
See the link at the bottom of this article for exactly how to get the lowest price on a new Honda Insight.)
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Under the hood of the 2010 Insight is a 1.3 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor coupled with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Honda's IMA system starts with the 1.3 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor produces another 13 horsepower and 58 lb-ft of torque. The Insight has been timed going from a standstill to 60 mph in a respectable 10.9 seconds, a full 2.6 seconds faster than the Honda Civic Hybrid.
EPA estimated gas mileage for the Insight is 40 mpg city and 43 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on both Insight models include antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In addition, the EX comes standard with stability control and traction control.
Interior:
The cabin of the 2010 Insight is attractive and well designed with user-friendly controls and features. The digital speedometer's background color switches from blue to green when you're driving in a way that produces better gas mileage. You can also use an "ECON" button left of the steering wheel that improves powertrain efficieny, while giving up some straight-ahead speed.
One aspect that still favors the Prius is rear seating room. The rear of the Insight is on the tight side for adults. That said, the Insight allows for 15.4 cubic feet of luggage space, and 31.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Drive:
The 2010 Honda Insight most definitely provides an enjoyable and capable ride. While no hybrid yet possesses truly sporty performance abilities, the Insight still impresses with its responsive steering and firm drive. Even the brakes feel normal, as opposed to many of the regenerative braking systems found in other hybrids.
Price:
How To Buy A New Insight At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2010 Honda Insight, here's exactly how to buy one at the lowest possible price, especially given the current slow car market.
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