2010 Honda Insight EX Review
Japan, along with the rest of the world, is currently facing a heart-breaking choice. Everyone has an opinion on which model will ultimately win the hybrid war — the venerable Toyota Prius or the game-changing 2010 Honda Insight. What’s amazing is that it’s been a long while since a two-car battle has been so polarizing. In North America, you’d probably have to go back to the pony car era. Oh how times have changed!
For sure, the numbers game is completely out of whack. The Insight marks the first time ever a hybrid sits atop a country’s auto sales charts, in this case Japan. Honda said they received over 40,000 pre-orders… while Toyota soon responded by claiming to have 75,000 pre-orders for the Japanese market alone. Go figure!
Democratization war
With their resurrected Insight, the Reds are making hybrids accessible to the masses. Starting at $23,900, this gas-electric model is no longer exclusive to Mother Nature’s rich friends who want to make a statement or impress the neighborhood.
Clearly, Honda designers didn’t go very far to find inspiration. In fact, if the Insight and Prius were any more similar, Toyota could accuse its arch nemesis of plagiarism. It’s really easy to mistake one for the other when you look at them from a rear or side-view angle. The folks at Honda will gladly tell you it’s all in the name of aerodynamics, but I reckon it has more to do with how the general public usually perceives hybrid vehicles.
The front end is typically Honda, however, sharing a close connection with the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity. The short hood and swooping roofline are big contributors to the Insight’s remarkably-low 0.26 drag coefficient.
Different tactics
While Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive backs the electric motor with a gasoline engine, Honda is using the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology to relieve the 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder mill during sprints and certain cruising situations. Patience is required to get all 98 horses galloping, but that power will prove ample enough for Insight owners. In other words, accelerations are fairly slow, but 0-100 is not what these drivers primarily think about.
To help us reduce CO2 emissions, Honda incorporated a new feature called Eco Assist. At the push of the ECON button, the system modifies various vehicle parameters to minimize overall energy use and maximize fuel efficiency. It even features a long-term cumulative scoring system that rewards you with green “leaves” as your driving performance improves over time. And here’s another gift for you: combined city-highway fuel consumption is a low 4.8 L/100 km.
On the road, don’t expect a very entertaining driving experience — for two reasons. One, it’s a Honda, and two, it’s a hybrid. The steering might feel slightly livelier than the Toyota’s, but there’s still a long way to go before we start praising the Insight for its sharp driving dynamics. The electric power assistance adds a definite artificial touch to the car.
Competition
The Insight is the new value leader in the hybrid segment. Even at $27,500, my premium EX tester still keeps an edge over the competition, including the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (starting at $27,350) and the 2009 Toyota Prius ($27,710). The latter’s new-for-2010 model has yet to be priced.
Wrap-up
The 2010 Honda Insight definitely brings heavy artillery to the green war field. The price is right and success seems a given for this international “mainstream” hybrid. Cheap interior materials are a small sacrifice to make to save our beloved planet.
