CTC Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Do you remember when the first-generation Honda Insight was released?  I can't say I exactly remember the hoopla behind it, but I remember seeing them about and thinking, "That's a weird looking little car they have there."  The first-generation Insight was an oddball vehicle: a two-seater with wheel covers to make it even more fuel efficient, so it stood out.  But it never really caught on, its two seats making it impractical in comparision to its hybrid competition, the Toyota Prius.  More...

[dorin]

Cool!  I'm curious to see how you think it compares to the Fit.

[Tuck]

At Vancouver Auto Show this year I could barely fit myself in front seat  (I'm 6'2), you can imagine how much space left in the back seat.  I'm not the very big fan of hybrid cars, but new Prius looks better, is more fuel efficient and has more space inside.

[DanYanoff]

The first to say a nastiness about cheap dash plastics in this thread shall be eternally banned 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Can I say anything about general dash weirdness?

Haven't seen one yet. Sort of interested in what they did this time 'round.

[carsncars]

Other than the for the "green image", I don't see why I should buy this over the Fit. The Fit has more space, is more comfortable, also gets exceptional fuel economy, and is more fun to drive.

The Insight is fairly small--when you sit in it, it's immediately evident it's based on the Fit platform. It's a full segment below the Prius' size, and, like others have said, you can feel it when you sit in it. I felt cramped in it (compared to the spacious fit), the dash plastics were hard, and the whole car had an un-Honda-like rattley-ness to it (weight savings, I guess).

All that said, I suspect most buyers won't be thinking this way, and more buyers will be coming from the Prius camp. Even though it's not the car for me, and though there are more sensible choices, it's a great business move on Honda's part.

[Mitlov]

Can I say anything about general dash weirdness?

Haven't seen one yet. Sort of interested in what they did this time 'round.

More of the overly-busy, Star-Trek-inspired dashes that Honda has gotten into in recent years:

[stodge]

Can I say anything about general dash weirdness?

Haven't seen one yet. Sort of interested in what they did this time 'round.

More of the overly-busy, Star-Trek-inspired dashes that Honda has gotten into in recent years:

 

[dougjp]

Yeah, that's about as ugly as it could possibly be. I can't imagine being forced to live in that day to day.

[Bullet Blue]

I sat in the new Insight at the dealership and the dash isn't as bad as in the pics...of course it wasn't illuminated though.

Looking forward to the report, wing.

[gord_boyd]

I test drove Insight a week ago and felt it a quality construction and sufficient torque
on start-up that it is a candidate to replace '06 Acura TL (as my wife has a V6 already
and the motivation is savings in operational costs--about half I figure).  It has a fun quotient,
maybe not as high as a Fit, but I enjoyed the drive.  The key for me was lack of tinniness
some of these high-strength steels transmit to cabin.  Some buzziness for sure if you go full hard
from lights.

[nsmyhte]

Honda actually came out with that design way before Toyota and their Prius. One of their cars in the 80's, the 1988 Honda CRX had the same hatchback design as well as the original Insight. Honda's mimicking no one but themselves and Toyota mimicked Honda.

[rrocket]

Honda actually came out with that design way before Toyota and their Prius. One of their cars in the 80's, the 1988 Honda CRX had the same hatchback design as well as the original Insight. Honda's mimicking no one but themselves and Toyota mimicked Honda.

Hmmm....last I remember the CRX was a 2 door hatch 

[rrocket]

At Vancouver Auto Show this year I could barely fit myself in front seat  (I'm 6'2), you can imagine how much space left in the back seat.  I'm not the very big fan of hybrid cars, but new Prius looks better, is more fuel efficient and has more space inside.

And more power.....(and a better interior...but don't tell Dan Yanoff I said that...) 

[nsmyhte]

Honda actually came out with that design way before Toyota and their Prius. One of their cars in the 80's, the 1988 Honda CRX had the same hatchback design as well as the original Insight. Honda's mimicking no one but themselves and Toyota mimicked Honda.

Hmmm....last I remember the CRX was a 2 door hatch 

I know but put 2 more doors on it and boom voila... Prius and current Insight.

[nsmyhte]

The interior is a bit strange, its as if Honda modelled it after a grade 9 student's knowledge of what an atom looks like. Steering wheel being the nucleus and all the vents being the electrons. It's a very nodular look to say the least.

[Cortina]

Honda has decided it should mimic the iconic profile of the Toyota Prius. I can see why, as the Prius is a symbol to all who want to make a statement about their allegiance to the earth and all things green, whether it be true or just a facade.

I think Toyota see this as threat to the Prius sales. There is whisper on the net that Toyota is even talking about bring out a cheaper Hybrid.

http://www.autoincar.com/toyota-has-plans-for-a-cheaper-hybrid-fight-to-honda-insight/

I sore an Insight MK2 a few days ago on the road same yucky 80's blue. I like it overall. Very aggressive looking from the front. But I couldn't help notice that it has a really big rear end.

Oh don't forget when you drive these Honda's at night to turn on the lights. Otherwise it is very very bright. Plus the brake brake lights are not on. 

Also they is nothing wrong with the 2 tier dash. It works extremely well and very easy to live with, once you get used to it. I can tell you one thing. I find all other cars now look dated IMO without that 2 tier dash.

[Prius]

It'll be interesting to see what mileage you can squeeze out of it. I got 4.5L/100km over a short test route. OAT was 8°C. Yeah plastics, headliner and flimsy cargo floor all look cheap but they were well put together. The thing is that the Fit has better headroom in the rear and quite a bit of cargo space (thanks to its nifty magic seats).

[Roy Brand]

"Honda has decided it should mimic the iconic profile of the Toyota Prius".

The Prius hatchback profile and the similar Insight profile are both copies a 70 year old German aerodynamic patent which was a collaboration between professor/doctor/engineer Wunibald Kamm, and motorcycle racer Reinhard Koenig  Faschenfeld.  The "K tail" has appeared on numerous euro vehicles since the 30's, most recently the 1999 - 2005 Audi A2 (not sold in North America).   

[gord_boyd]

Day 3 says engine always running but Honda Civic and Insight capable of electric motivation only; it is just that Rev. counter shows engine revs but valves sealed off--no gasoline being consumed.
There is a more knowledgeable report on VTEC.net under first drive reports which may not be on front page at this point, but dig deeper and it is there.