As Donna experienced earlier, our 2010 Honda Insight is not a car that suits you when you're in a hurry. Nor is this a great surprise -- a 2,700-pound car with 98 hp just isn't going to get out of its own way very quickly.
The lack of power doesn't bother me, though. I actually like driving our Insight a lot. Mostly, this is because it provides the opportunity to drive in a relaxed style that complements the car's enhanced fuel efficiency. Our Fit's kinda like this, too. You already know it's slow, so why drive it aggressively? It's like asking a cat to fetch and then getting angry at it because it's not doing what you want.
For highway driving, my driving style has been pretty moderate. And around town, I've been paying more attention to trying to keep the Insight's momentum going. It's funny watching other drivers blow by me on city streets only to get stuck at the next stop light.
I suppose I could do the same with any car I drive. But with the Insight, adopting a Zen-like attitude just seems right. And the payoff is better fuel economy.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
greenpony says:
04:23 PM, 08/12/09
That's the key when driving a relatively underpowered car on streets, or a race car on a high speed track: keep your momentum up. Anybody can mash the pedal down on a 250 hp vehicle to get up a steep hill, but it takes some measure of skill and preparation to build up enough momentum in a lower powered car (or heavily laden semi) to climb the hill without mashing the gas. Does it annoy the drivers behind you when your speed swings by 10 mph? Of course. But then, they can always waste their gas to get around you. Here's to you, Mr Zen Master.
07mx5 says:
06:42 PM, 08/12/09
"It's like asking a cat to fetch and then getting angry at it because it's not doing what you want." I love the imagery.
dalaw says:
07:08 PM, 08/12/09
That pic looks like the I-5 NB hill climb past Six Flags. Hows the Insight's performance there?
dougtheeng says:
05:57 AM, 08/13/09
I sort of feel like this in my Soul, even though its not the most fuel efficient vehicle out there. Its fairly slow, but in the Soul I'm content to go slowly. I didn't buy the vehicle with expectations of it being a rocket ship and of burning bimmers are stoplights. I'm all about my vehicle for what it is, and that should be good enough.
jeepsrt says:
07:11 AM, 08/13/09
I think the payoff is boredom.
bromans says:
08:28 AM, 08/13/09
@dalaw
With my zen-like attitude (haha), it was fine. I didn't stay in the left-hand lane like I typically do with other vehicles, but the Insight had no problem keeping a steady 65 mph speed. Engine rpm was a bit elevated via the CVT's gearing -- I think this was also at the point the battery got low on juice and IMA started devoting regenerative power to it. --- Brent
mopho says:
10:30 AM, 08/13/09
I'm sorry Mr. Romans, but your username is just AWESOME.
bromans, LOL. (see bromance)