2010 Honda Insight EX Long-Term Road Tests Archives

There seems to be a lot of negativity around these parts towards the 2010 Honda Insight. It's not the most solid riding car and it's slow --slower than the Traverse-- and the fuel economy isn't as good as the Prius. 
But you know what? If I were in the market for a new car tomorrow, the Honda Insight would be high on my list. Keep reading for the why....

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Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

I love my 10-year-old Acura TL, but it's definitely an antique when it comes to its audio system (AM-FM/ CD changer, and -- wait for it -- cassette player). I'm addicted to recorded books, but my aftermarket solution for in-car listening to the scads of books I have on my iPod is completely inadequate for city driving, relying as it does on finding a clear FM channel on the very crowded L.A. band.

So while there are a lot of things I don't like about driving the Insight, such as its sluggish acceleration and less-than-posh interior, I am enjoying its (relatively) simple-to-use iPod interface. Listening to a mystery by Swedish writer Henning Mankell really makes the miles fly by. Who did kill that Latvian police major, anyway?

Carroll Lachnit, Features Editor @20,211 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

On the second Sunday of every month, there's a mammoth swap meet at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Thinking that maybe we'd buy something bigger than a breadbox (and I have bought things like 1950s breadboxes there), my husband and I went there in the Insight. The car's folding rear seats, yielding 31.5 cubic feet of cargo-hauling space, could let us bring home something that wouldn't fit in our other cars, which are short on carrying capacity.

But as luck would have it, there was nothing we wanted to buy -- big or small. After shopping, we took the greener-than-green Insight to a nearby Pasadena landmark of the arts and crafts movement: the Gamble House, built in 1908 by architects Greene and Greene. It fits right in, don't you think?

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

I didn't have an appointment and there were several vehicles ahead of me, but it took just an hour and 40 minutes today for the service department at a local Honda dealership to change the Insight's oil, rotate its tires and do the familiar no-charge safety inspection (which, blessedly, did not lead to any upselling).

As Chris Walton predicted yesterday in this post, the tab was not the $40.70 estimated by the Edmunds Maintenance Guide. Nor was it less than the $73.44 we paid at the Insight's last service, back in December. I paid $75.38. But that should hold us for awhile.

Carroll Lachnit, Features Editor @ 19,962 

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

Just like Erin's post in December, our friendly Honda Insight popped up a little Maintenance Minder message the other day, but this one is B1. And unlike our Prius's cryptic "Maint Reqd" light, it turns out this B1 thing is pretty specific.

Besides a bunch of additional inspection items that the A1 service didn't require, many of you will be happy to notice B1 does call for a new oil filter.

According to the manual, the car is asking for the following:

The "B" part:

Replace engine oil and oil filter, Inspect front and rear brakes, Check parking brake adjustment, Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots, Suspension components, Driveshaft boots, Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA), All fluid levels and condition of fluids, Exhaust system, Fuel lines and connections.

And the "1" part: Rotate tires.

Since A1's simple oil change/tire rotation should have cost us $40, but ended up being $73.44 (oof), we have our doubts that this one is going to less expensive. According to Edmunds.com's itemized Maintenance Guide for this car, the total cost should be about $65 bucks. We'll see. Maybe we can convince Dan to do another weekend DIY project.

Chief Road Test Editor, Chris Walton @ 14,775 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

For this holiday weekend I took our 2010 Honda Insight to San Francisco. Since this would be the third time I've had to take our Insight on a long road trip up north, I decided to switch things up and take a fun road: Highway 198 through Coalinga from the 5 to the 101. And true, this hybrid is not a driver's car, so all those cool switchbacks and off-camber corners would be lost on it, but I just wanted to do something different with it and break up the monotony of the 400-mile trip.

Fortunately, even though this was Memorial Day weekend, the 198 was pretty clear. I didn't drive the Insight like I'd drive, say, a Mini S and it was still enjoyable. Maybe it was the curves, the beautiful scenery, the sunny day, regardless, that hybrid technology didn't dampen my drive. And those paddle shifters really came in handy. I was even able to pass several pickup trucks and even a convertible 3 Series.

By the way, I was a little concerned when the "Service Due Soon" warning message came on to signal that oil life is at 15%, but after reading the owner's manual, I was assured that I'd only have to really worry when that message changes to "Service Due Now," which it didn't and still hasn't.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 19,478 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

It's been a week in the Insight and oddly, I haven't gotten sick of it. That can probably be chalked up to only commuting 18.4 total miles daily through heavy traffic and only briefly getting to "enjoy" the brittle ride coupled to excessive high-speed wind noise. I also haven't been chauffeuring around anyone, so the lack of back seat headroom hasn't been an issue.

As a strictly commuter appliance, then, I've found the Insight to be pleasant. Its stereo has actually been the most surprising element of the car this week, as it exhibits relatively strong bass and crisp sound quality even through the iPod interface. I figure if you're going to be stuck in traffic, that's a pretty good attribute to have.

I'll be turning over the Insight to John DiPietro for a few days so he can put some long-distance miles on it, and in the meantime, I'll be heading into Ye Olde Prius. It'll be interesting to see how commuting life is in Toyota hybrid land. Hopefully I don't career wildly into a tree.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor on the DL @ 18,359 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

Why is it that the part of a car key that you have to stick into a key ring is so damn fat? With rare exception, modern keys have these chunky plastic ends that make it nearly impossible to fit through that tight little key ring without breaking a nail, forever separating the ring wires or coming up with new usages for words that rhyme with duck. And it's not just the thickness, the plastic (often rounded) doesn't create a sharp enough edge to force open the metal ring.

With the Insight in my custody for a while, I thought I'd divorce it from its giant leather key tag Honda insists on placing on its press car keys (don't get me started on that) and put the fob/key on my own key ring. Five minutes and a Takahashi later, old one-armed Riswick managed to get the thing on the ring. This is obviously not a Honda or even a recent issue. Check out my ancient BMW key. Same problem. And actually, these aren't the worst -- Ford's is enormous and square shaped. 

Volkswagen/Audi and GM are the only entities I can think of at the moment that places a thin metal piece at the end of their flip fob. Actually, the regular GM key is also pretty thin as well though not made of metal. It's a simple thing and something you don't have to deal with much, but it's an irritant nevertheless.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor on the DL

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

So given my injury, which had nothing to do with dancing or curling (I've only been injured doing one of those in the past), I'm constantly coming up with ways to make my life a little less strenuous. While the Insight's electric power steering makes low-speed maneuvers easier than most cars south of Toyota, there have been times this week when I could've pulled into a parking spot a little smoother and quicker, and with less strain on my wrist.

Then I thought of those knobs you used to see on old timey cars without power steering and on some ride-on lawn mowers. I thought, "hey, why not go down to Pep Boys and pick one up." Well, as Magrath was quick to point out, they're illegal in California and most states because (for one) they live up to their suicide knob label. I guess planting your head on one during a crash is nastier than just ramming your head into an airbagless wheel hub. They're also bound to make people even lazier and prone to wildly excessive steering inputs.

This made me wonder why Magrath was so well versed on the legality of suicide knobs in California, but also had me checking to see if they're permissible for use by people with disabilities. And whataya know, they seem to be. Given the temporary nature of my "disability" and the fact I'm perfectly capable of steering the Insight, I think I'll pass on the suicide/brodie/granny knob. Should things take a turn for the worse and they have to hack off my left arm, though, I think I'll set myself up with one of those wicked cool skull head knobs. It totally goes with the Insight.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor on the DL @ 18,294 miles

P.S. Someone did correctly guess my injury and the circumstances on Wednesday  

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

While I was at an alternative fuels conference last week, I stopped by the Honda booth to check out their electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offerings. No joy.

You see, according to the handouts at their booth, hybrids are as close as Honda will get to EVs (at least publicly, for now). Honda is banking on natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and hydrogen fuel cells for their future plan. 

I like the idea of more natural gas vehicles. The long-term Civic we had drove like a normal underpowered compact, and the fuel is somewhat plentiful and domestically produced (no nation-building required). I also drove the FCX Clarity and was amazed by the fuel cell stack technology and driveability, but using electricity to turn hydrogen into electricity is a bit of circular logic to me. 

And I like hybrids a lot: with these you can have a larger vehicle that still gets decent fuel economy, with no disruption to infrastructure. However, a lot of petro fuel comes from countries that hate us. And though evolving, producing a long-life energy-rich battery that is well-adapted to the harsh vehicle environment still challenges.

So I like NGVs the best of the alternative fuel options, but they're dead: most people want hybrids, including plug-ins.

How about you? Any of these technologies appeal to you, or do you prefer good-ol' dino juice?

Albert Austria, Senior Engineer @ ~18,400 miles 

Categories: 2004 Toyota Prius,2005 Honda Accord Hybrid,2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6,2009 Mini E,2010 Honda Insight EX

I injured myself last Thursday, and as such it's left me incapable of driving a manual-equipped car. That means I cannot drive seven of the 15 long-term cars available during the week and I also cannot drive my own car. As such, keeper of the keys Mike Schmidt was kind enough to set me up with an automatic-equipped ride for the next few weeks while I'm on the DL.

I'm certainly lucky to be in the car situation I am, but after one night in the Mini E, I politely asked for something else as the stiff steering made it rather difficult for me to maneuver at low speeds. The big side bolsters were also a detriment. With my head hung low, I had to do what months ago I swore I would never do: I requested to drive the Insight. Its low-effort steering, wide seats and light doors were indeed a big help last night.

So over the next few weeks I'll have the unique opportunity to report about a single car over an extended period of time as well as what it's like to drive with limited physical abilities.

And yes, you'll note I haven't said what I've done to myself. I prefer to let wild rumors run rampant for a while.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor on the DL @ 18,267 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

I have a new cup. At a stoplight this morning, as I was pulling it out of the cupholder in our long-term Honda Insight to take a swig, the cup's silicone sleeve stuck slightly to the cupholder, and I ended up discovering that the cupholder/middle storage compartment section of the center console is removable. Granted, cupholder and console inserts are often removable to facilitate cleaning, but the proximity of the removable piece to other storage areas in the center console turns this area into a bigger storage spot for those who are anti-in-car-beverage.

That's a credit card-size parking pass, for scale.

Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 18,234 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

Other than the whole "it takes two to three times longer than it should" aspect of traveling on L.A.'s perpetually clogged "freeways", there is something else that bugs me.  I'm talking about the wasteful sight of all those vehicles sitting there with their engines running, usurping a finite resource and polluting the air while they're going zero mph.  

It was there, in the urban jungle, that I felt really good about driving the Insight as it efficiently shut off its engine whenever I hit the "stop" portion of my stop-and-go commute. Though all true hybrids do this, it still made my six-mile, 30-minute (that's not too bad -- it sometimes stretches to 45 minutes) drive home a little less annoying. 

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 17,982 miles

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

I drove our Honda Insight over the weekend and I didn't like it. To borrow the old break up line, my dear Insight, it's not you, it's me.

You're perfectly fine for who you are. We had a great time over the weekend driving up to the Bay Area and taking Mom out for a Dim Sum Mothers Day brunch. Sure you got great mileage driving down the coast (41mpg), a bunch of cargo space for my photo gear and I really appreciated that, but overall I find you annoying.

The reason I think you're annoying wasn't because I found your regenerative brakes grabby and jerky, nor your hybrid system that hesitated a lot when I hit the gas or even the weak gas engine you've got. I didn't like you because you didn't mold to my driving style and I wasn't willing to change. Driving you is killing who I am.

I'm sure there are a lot of fish out there that really get who you are and can really appreciate just how special you are on the inside, but that person isn't me. Maybe other people are willing to change their driving style to get the most out of you, but I like who I am.

Besides, I don't want to be mean but the new Mustang has got over 300 hp and is getting 30 mpg. Take care and have a good life.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX

I jumped into the Honda Insight EX last week for a trip from LA to Palm Spring, thinking I'd have time to catch up on a few phone calls on the two-hour-plus freeway drive. Before taking off I hit the Bluetooth HandsFree Link/Voice Command button on the bottom-left quadrant of the steering wheel, also thinking that pairing my iPhone 3GS would be a snap.

But it wasn't. And I'm familiar with the HFL system and know its quirks since I compared the vehicle's tech against a Prius for an Edmunds.com feature story. The system kept looking for a previously paired phone, and I got trapped in a loop until I realized I needed to delete a previously paired phone before I could pair mine.

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Categories: 2010 Honda Insight EX