2010 Honda Insight EX: First Impressions

If I were shopping in this segment I think I'd get the Fusion hybrid. I like the practicality of a hatchback, but the Fusion is much more substantial feeling and is actually enjoyable to drive.

I think you guys need to pick up a Fusion Hybrid.

+1, carguy.

Thank you for that, Warren. Im glad we agree. But I too, would get a fusion hybrid over all of these if i were in the market. That thing looks pretty damn good, too

Going to join the bandwagon of the Fusion Hybrid.

The two things that the Insight has going for it are at least a more interesting exterior design than the hyper-bland Prius and I haven't yet met enough Insight drivers that have the Holier-Than-Thou persona that I often get from Prius drivers.

"If I were shopping in this segment I think I'd get the Fusion hybrid."

Carguy622, the Fusion isn't in this segment (not a Prius or Insight competitor) and Honda doesn't have a car that competes directly against the Fusion Hybrid. For that you would have to visit a Toyota or Nissan dealer to find a midsize hybrid sedan. I believe GM killed their midsize "hybrid" sedans.

Ford Fusion Hybrid starting price: $27,270
Honda Insight Hybrid starting price: $19,800

Given the starting prices and segment difference the Fusion Hybrid should feel much more substantial.

@Fusion people,

Check the base price on the Fusion Hybrid -- it's five-plus grand more than a Prius. That's a very significant difference when you're talking about cars in the $20s.

-JS

@hondacura4,

My thoughts exactly. :)

I'll say one thing, Honda got the styling right with the Insight (minus the ugly wheels). It looks excellent from this angle.

Given the two, however, I'd take the Prius. It just seems like more car to me.

I'll +1 on the Fusion Hybrid, though, if price doesn't matter.

hondaacura4 & SadButTrue: I didn't realize that the price difference was so great between the two. I guess if price really was the determining factor it would be a year old Civic hybrid.

I just don't feel like Honda stepped up to the plate on the Insight. It feels like it's 90% there. I love my Acura and think Honda makes great cars, but the Insight, the new Pilot, TL, and TSX all seem like a step backwards. I don't think Honda saw Toyota playing the pricing game on the new Prius. Even though I would not purchase a Prius it is a nice step forward from the previous generation. Honda has show commitment to continually improving products and I hope they do so with the next Insight.

"that have the Holier-Than-Thou persona that I often get from Prius drivers."

Is that a California thing?

I know quite a few Prius owners and I have never met one with a "Holier-Than-Thou persona ".

Most are like Corolla owners but with more money. Dull people who care about mileage and reliability above all else.

Not the coolest people but not as annoying as the Richer-Then-Thou persona of the average BMW, Mercedes or high end sports car owner.

The Prius can equally be way more expensive than the Insight. I don't see how price makes them totally incomparable. The option packages on the Fusion bring either sun and sound or a fully loaded Fusion that's cheaper than a fully loaded Prius.

I dont agree with the fact that the insight looks better than the prius. Have you seen the back of that thing? hideous. but, looks are subjective. And i second the notion that i havent ever met a prius owner that thinks they are "holier than thou" I think someones been watching a bit to much southpark.

"I just don't feel like Honda stepped up to the plate on the Insight"

Carguy, I clearly see where you're coming from but that's what happens when you build an inexpensive car based on a focused price point. However, that's the point of the Insight, a dedicated full hybrid car the average working man/woman can easily afford. Unfortunately, some sacrifices and compromises had to be made in order to meet its target price.

Yes, I do think Honda could/should have spent a bit more money in some areas as it could have been less noisy and more substantial feeling like the Prius. However, the last thing I want Honda to do is resemble Toyota.

If I was going to purchase a hybrid Id have to step up to the Civic hybrid or a Fusion hybrid as I like both cars.

Since purchase price pretty much defines the Insights existence, Id actually like to see a comparison of the target demographic household income, Prius vs Insight. I can probably get the Prius information from my father (Toyota product planner) and I'm sure the household income for a potential Prius owner would be much more vs the target for the Insight. I know the 08 Accord's target demographic household income is between $75-90K.

If money is really an issue I would just get a used Civic or Fit instead of a new Insight. If money isn't an issue I would get the Fusion if I had to have a hybrid.

The Insight looks terrible without the larger wheels. Its hard to say it looks better than the Prius- or worse. They look about the same and thats not a good thing. I do have to wonder why anyone would chose this over the Civic hybrid though.

I'm still a fan of the Insight, because a harsher ride doesn't really bother me. I've yet to read a review that says the Prius is more involving to drive than the Insight, and that to me is more important than a smooth ride.

As for the acceleration, I'm surprised that this car feels much slower than the Prius, since road tests have shown acceleration to 60 to be within a second or so of each other. Motor Trend actually clocked the Insight at 10.4 and the new Prius at 10.6.

@hondaacura4
"I believe GM killed their midsize "hybrid" sedans"

Production of GM's BAS hybrids has stopped for this year (there is enough stock to last for awhile).

But expect to see BAS+ hybrids soon from GM (with 20-25% better fuel economy instead of the 10-15% from BAS).

What? No calls for an Esaclade Hybrid?

They should add an Escalade hybrid. Its probably more efficient than the M3.