2010 Honda Insight: Introduction

I'd be willing to bet money that after the novelty wears off this car becomes the least-driven vehicle in the LT fleet.

+1 @ esoterica

Now you can show up Consumer Reports again.

Well, I like this more than that Fit thing.

While I'm betting, I'm going to go ahead and add a side bet that no one at Edmunds will be able to turn a paragraph more descriptive than Clarkson's:

"The Honda’s petrol engine is a much-shaved, built-for-economy, low-friction 1.3 that, at full chat, makes a noise worse than someone else’s crying baby on an airliner. It’s worse than the sound of your parachute failing to open. Really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you’d have to sit a dog on a ham slicer."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article6294116.ece

One of Clarkson's great review. If only Edmunds could add him, or someone from Top Gear to staff... Oh I dream.

Still waiting for that Camaro you guys promised us. The affordable performance end of your fleet consists of the Challenger and 370Z alone.

This should be interesting but I'm really hoping to see a 2010 Mazda 3 join the fleet soon. (5-dr hatch with MT in GT trim, if I were being specific).

Oh please, won't you add the Mazda?

The URL currently used for the "Read the Introduction of the 2010 Honda Insight on Inside Line" link currently goes to edmundsp.com, not edmunds.com, and should be fixed.

This is what I'm talking about.

With the Fit, Jetta TDI, the Civic GX and now this in the fleet it'll be interesting to see how they all compare when you factor in cost of diesel, how long it takes the hybrid powertrain to pay off, etc...

Still waiting on a Genesis Coupe 3.8, though, guys. Ditch one of the Audis.

Honda's engineer says that an Insight with MT is possible if there's enough market demand for it. Not going to get one until it does. It is ironic how everyone wants mpg but unwilling to operate a more efficient machine.

This is a pretty important car right now and a solid addition to the fleet. I'll be looking forward to seeing if the ride and road noise are really as much of an issue as CR seems to think they are.

Good choice. The marketing plan for this hybrid is working so far. I feel like it is the fun/reliable/but also responsible alternative to the Prius. The Prius just seems so um...boring in comparison. But they are both Hybrids so they are both a bit boring, atleast the color is fun.

I'm also interested to see if you will confirm or debunk the CR test. I'm sure there will be many opinions on how this compares to Prius as well as Hybrid Civic, CNG Civic, regular Civic, Fit, diesel Jetta, etc.

(Also, need to fix your link to the intro story.)

Interested to read about this vehicle! Good color choice.

I'll be the first to say it.....the interior is an awful mess! Look at that dash/gauge cluster/center console - yikes......

Holly cow! Edmunds actually added something that WASN'T a BMW?!?!?!? I'm in total shock!

Hey stovt, don't forget the G8 GT, and that 2002 M3. The 135 and 2009 M3... not so much.

I am looking forward to hearing about everything that is wrong with this (lovely colored) smug-mobile.

I think that the Fusion Hybrid would have been a good choice. The Fusion is still a tepid transportation appliance, but it's a bit more practical than the Insight and Prius- which are primaily aimed at the "Look at me I'm saving the planet!" eco-weenies.

I hate to bring sales into this Insight lovefest but its been a flop so far in spite of a heavy ad campaign. Camaro (gas guzzling, sign that GM is out touch etc) sold 9000 vs 2100 for the Insight. This is not an important car nor is it successful so far.

"Holly cow! Edmunds actually added something that WASN'T a BMW?!?!?!? I'm in total shock!"

Its a Honda. At least half their slots got to BMWs and Hondas. They love Honda as much as BMW, trust me.

BTW, the Insight's interior is absolute garbage would be called that if it wasnt a Honda. Why are there so many pieces to the dash? Why is there no coherent design theme? It looks like it was designed by committee.

Fine, but so far it's beating the Fit's average fuel economy by less than 1 mpg. I'm with roadburner on this--Fusion Hybrid would've made more sense.

Oops--correction--the Insight's advantage is now a whopping TWO mpg, as of the June fuel economy list.

Good Choice, But....

I STILL WANT A DAMN XC60!

I think Honda screwed up this car royally. It's the only car to lose to a Prius in an beauty contest, I've read the drivetrain is not smooth, the interior is loud, and its TV commercials hit 10 on the smugness chart.

"They love Honda as much as BMW, trust me." -- 1487

Ahh, glad we cleared that up. I'll just go ahead and take your word for that one.
-mm

I see a new red headed step child at Edmunds. Too bad there's no Mazda 3 yet. I'm soooo interested in the 3rd Fit to enter the fleet in 3 years.

Best quote from Clarkson's review of the Insight:

"It’s the first car I’ve ever considered crashing into a tree, on purpose, so I didn’t have to drive it any more."

Another Honda?? Is this the 4th (Accord, Fit, Civic, Insight) in the current fleet?

I mean, I do like Hondas, even own one. You could have al least waited for one of the other to leave.

What about a Kia Soul?? Or Mazda 3. Or a Lotus Elise!!!!

Perhaps they're waiting for the Mazdaspeed3? There is a shortage of sport-compacts around here, if you ignore the WRX and two Evos. They're too high on the price range, IMHO.

I would have liked to see a Fusion anything over this. A Hybrid, a Sport, a I-4 SEL.....but instead we end up with this thing, that apparently not many folks care about (look at the sales figures over the last two months).

"Another Honda?? Is this the 4th (Accord, Fit, Civic, Insight) in the current fleet?"

Civic is CNG so its a unique case. The Accord is long gone, I think.

Hindsight! Love it. :) Zing!

1487 = gdmstrb?

I'd like to see any porsche (so I can read about how much it costs to maintain) or a Camaro.

congrats for the purchase of the crappiest hybrid in the market.

"Ahh, glad we cleared that up. I'll just go ahead and take your word for that one. "

I think its obvious based on LT vehicle choices and commentary. Every long term BMW or Honda product LT visit is a lovefest. Has Honda ever made any mistakes? Increasingly the editorial opinions here are shadowing Car and Driver which is basically to say anything that isnt made by Honda, Audi or BMW isnt worth liking. I mean can we EVER get LT cars that the readers/posters actually want to see?

"1487 = gdmstrb?"

Dont know what that means.

Based on a quick google search, gdmstrb seems to be another poster who frequents carspace and other automotive forums?

oh, no thats not me. I didnt know what he was talking about. Have not been on carspace for at least 2 years.

1487, you keep grinding that axe and pretty soon it'll just be a handle.

Why don't you put Subaru back in your fleet?- the underrated Tribeca, Turbo Forester, 2010 CVT Legacy???

crowb: LOL!

Bring back the original Insight. 60 mpg and a manual transmission? Yeah!

isellcars00: No, not quite....

I just don't understand the addition of this vehicle is all. On top of that I don't think Edmunds has had a long term Fusion anything since that vehicle went on sale. Having one in their long term fleet might help those that are still skeptical abut buying the car over an Accord or Camry. A Hybrid Fusion would take it the next step up, proving that all hybrids don't sap all the fun out of driving.

Edmunds added this vehicle because Honda gave it to them. Seems like more vehicles lately are manufacturer-provided instead of purchased. Not sure how that affects Edmunds' objectivity.

"1487, you keep grinding that axe and pretty soon it'll just be a handle."

Thanks for the tip. Maybe I'll change course and become a Honda fan so I can fit in better.

"Thanks for the tip. Maybe I'll change course and become a Honda fan so I can fit in better."

I think turning back the "caustic blowhard" dial a bit would be enough, but you know...whatever works for you.

amazing how comments are called caustic (big word) when I am merely applying the same tough standards to Honda and BMW products as journalists and Honda/BMW fanboys apply to brands they feel are inferior. Are the comments really caustic? not really. Accurate? Yes. The truth always ruffles feathers. You just stick to being a syncophant since that seems to be what works for you. I do love people who spend their time commenting mostly about other posters instead of the vehicle or issue at hand.

crowb,
Shoot a PM to roadburner@carspace.com.

"Every long term BMW or Honda product LT visit is a lovefest. Has Honda ever made any mistakes?"

1487, if you bothered to do a bit of research you would see that Edmunds LT Honda's haven't been put on the level you stated as there are/were plenty of negative blogs/comments on both Fits, Accord Hybrid, Civic Si, Pilot, Ridgeline and the recent 08 Accord EX-L sedan. I'm not suggesting Edmunds isn't biased (everyone, including YOU and other publications are to a point), I simply think you blow the Honda subject waaaaaaay out of proportion in most cases.

"I do love people who spend their time commenting mostly about other posters instead of the vehicle or issue at hand."

"I am merely applying the same tough standards to Honda and BMW products as journalists and Honda/BMW fanboys apply to brands they feel are inferior."

1487, you have proven a dislike toward import products (mainly BMW/Honda) and have consistently provided ignorant and/or negative comments (ex: your recent 2009 Civic Si post and the ridiculous sales comparisons between the Insight hybrid and a Camaro) while claiming certain domestic products are just as good or better. What makes you any different? I think you need to find the difference and distinguish the brands from the fanboys as there are fanboys for every brand, GM included. That said, fanboys shouldn't and don't make or represent the brands in question unless you allow them.

I do fully understand and appreciate your desire for an unbiased review but I don't think that will happen here or most automotive publications, as like us, they have preferences too.

Its not their job to rate cars based on personal preferences. I acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of all vehicles. The fact that I point out some flaws in Hondas and BMWs makes you believe I am biased against them. I stated the Camaro outsold the hyped Insight by a large margin and you present that as evidence of "ignorance" and "bias"- interesting.

For the record, IL has had few complaints about any of the LT hondas they have had, not even the Pilot that left them stranded.

"I stated the Camaro outsold the hyped Insight by a large margin and you present that as evidence of "ignorance" and "bias"- interesting."

1487, I should have separated the 2 examples I used of yours. Your ignorant comment was from the recent IL review of the 2009 Si. I never said anything about being biased in the sentence involving the RIDICULOUS Insight vs Camaro sales comparison.

You mentioned the hyping of the Insight yet failed to mention all the hype the Camaro has received for the last what.....2-3 years? Do you actually think the current sales figures of the Camaro will remain consistent? Short term success is what helped GM get into this mess.

I will admit the Insight isn't off to the best start in terms of sales however its doing very well in other parts of the globe.

"For the record, IL has had few complaints about any of the LT Honda's they have had."

REALLY...are you sure?

Edmunds IL complaints on its LT 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6:

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/09/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-its-a-big-deal.html#comments

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/09/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-missing-mojo.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/09/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-rattling-deck-panel.html#comments

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/08/2008-honda-accord-how-about-a-civic-v6-instead.html#comments

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/07/2008-honda-accord-dino-leather-seats.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/06/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-econnoying.html#comments

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/05/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-accord-seat-discord.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/04/2008-honda-accord-ex-l-v6-maybe-its-a-tumor.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/04/2008-honda-accord-less-lumbar-jack.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/01/2008-honda-accord-button-parade.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/01/2008-honda-accord-no-manual-shift-control.html

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2007/12/2008-honda-accord-ex-navigate-this.html#more

- http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/08/2008-honda-accord-laser-focus.html

Nearly 1/3 of the blogs of the LT 2008 Accord weren't positive. Id say that's quite a few.