Honda Insight hitting U.S. dealerships now
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Honda Insight
According to Kicking Tires, the new 2010 Honda Insight is now beginning to hit dealerships across the United States as we speak. A quick phone call to my own local dealership revealed two shiny new hybrid hatchbacks ready to drive off the lot. That's the good news. The bad news (it's not that bad, don't worry) is that there aren't that many to choose from in the United States just yet.
An inventory check on Cars.com shows that there are exactly 478 2010 Honda Insights for sale from all U.S. dealerships, which isn't all that many. Prices range from the base model's $19,800 starting price all the way up to $25,678 for what's surely a well-equipped model. Honda is expecting high demand for the new vehicle and we've heard production in Japan is running at full steam, so we'd expect inventory levels to rise here in the States in short order.
Gallery: ABG First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jboy 6:48PM (3/28/2009)
3 came into DM Honda in saint louis. Took a test drive in one and I was sold. They are holding back on the one they have left for test drives.
It drives very similarly to the Civic Hybrid (to those who are familiar with its hybrid system). Also I found the eco mode Aura colors a neat way to teach people how to drive "greener".
Oh well...looking forward to the posts saying Prius is better...
Reply
Shaun 7:32PM (3/28/2009)
I just test drove one yesterday and got 49 MPG around Wilmington, DE. The engine is much louder then the Prius and they ride is more nosier. The dash is WAY too complicated, and not intuitive in any way, but overall, not a bad car.
Reply
TopaZ 8:03PM (3/28/2009)
I haven't heard any incentives for this car -- are there any at the Federal or State level?
How about HOV access in California?
In today's economy you have to offer more than 40mpg on a $25k car to get buyers.
Reply
nosoupforyou 12:35AM (3/29/2009)
I doubt there are any rebates left for Honda hybrids.
No HOV access. The 250,000 sticker limit was hit sometime around 2006.
H 9:06PM (3/28/2009)
I sat in one today. I'm average height, and would have to sit with my head at about a 60 degree angle in the back seat. It should be considered a two-seater, and quite frankly, for the money, I'd rather have a used Mini Cooper.
I wanted to like it, too. Bah.
Reply
roz 12:36AM (3/29/2009)
AGREED. I'm 5'10 and could not put my head straight up comfortably. I would never buy a car like that.
Why they knocked off the ugliest car in the planet it beyond me.
The fit is actually a really hot looking car. Could they really not have made a hybrid Fit like everyone wanted? I think the whole, it has to look like a hybrid mantra is BS.
John Kurmann 4:48PM (3/29/2009)
Roz, the Insight and the Prius have such similar shapes for one simple reason: that's basically the most aerodynamic shape a vehicle can have while retaining the functionality people want in a car. Both vehicles have what is called a Kamm back design (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kammback), which is why they have that sloping, then chopped-off tail. If you want to get the maximum possible energy efficiency in a vehicle, you have to begin with a very aerodynamic shape, not simply put a hybrid drivetrain into any old vehicle. Putting a hybrid drivetrain into a vehicle that isn't very slippery is like investing thousands of dollars in a new, high-efficiency ground source heat pump for your house--without bothering to weatherize it 1st.
Take the Chevy Volt as an example: When the original concept was revealed, lots of people oohed and aahed over the design, but Chevy made the mistake of rolling it out before they tested it in a wind tunnel. When they did, they discovered its drag coefficient was .43, far too high to achieve the desired EV range. The Volt had to be dramatically reshaped if it was going to have any chance of living up to its hype, and so it was, reportedly dropping the drag coefficient of the production version to the range of .28-.29.
It seems to me the question is not "Why does the Insight look so much like the Prius?" but "Why isn't the Insight's drag coefficient (.28) even closer to the Prius's drag coefficient (.26 for the 2004-9 model, .25 for the 2010)?" Heck, the Insight's drag coefficient is even a bit higher than the Civic Hybrid's (.27), which leaves me wondering if, in its effort to keep the cost of the Insight down, Honda skimped on the other aerodynamic tweaks necessary to bring the drag coefficient down beyond what the Kamm back shape alone makes possible.
I hate to admit it as a former owner of a 2000 Insight (I wrecked it during rush hour last Spring), but I'm really disappointed by the 2010 Insight. Though it's considerably smaller than either the current or next-gen Prius, it has a lower fuel economy rating, roughly the same as my 2002 Prius sedan. Moreover, even the Insight's main selling point, the low price, isn't all that low. At $19,800, its starting price is still $5,050 higher than the $14,750 starting price for the most comparable conventional Honda, the Fit--and it has less passenger and cargo volume than the Fit. In comparison, the current Prius starts at $22,000, $5,710 higher than the $16,290 starting price of the most comparable conventional Toyota, the Matrix--and the Prius has a bit more passenger volume than the Matrix (but less vertical cargo volume because of the slope of the Kamm back). I'd be impressed if Honda was starting the Insight at just under $19,000, but not at just under $20,000.
I'm left doubting that it makes any sense for Honda to sell a hybrid version of the Fit. The Fit has a less-aerodynamic shape than the Insight, so it will probably be less fuel-efficient. The Fit's also not as long as the Insight, which means the battery pack will have to impinge on the Fit's cargo and/or passenger volume, yet the flexibility and spaciousness of its cabin are the Fit's claim to fame.
rookie60 9:44PM (3/28/2009)
Drove an Insight last Wednesday. Dealer has 3 on the lot. Two are gone. One left as a demo. Expecting 5-9 per month for the first 6 months. Plenty of drivers room in front. Anyone over 5'9" would have trouble with headroom in back. The car is $22k. Remember, cost of the car is not just $22k. It is residual cost down the road. Subtract the cost of gas savings and then figure how much you can sell it for 5-6 years down the road. Looking at it that way, I think it will be a reasonably priced car.
Reply
JoeP 10:11PM (3/28/2009)
I drove it today at the Carlsbad (CA) Honda dealer.
It seemed that the controls are very intuitive, the size about right, the dynamic performance was excellent.
The seats were comfortable except for the headrests, which tilted forward, which pushed my neck forward.
Overall I like the car very much. Also, my car is 23 years old and I'm not comfortable taking it on trips, but it's fine around town, but it doesn't get great mileage...so why won't I plunk down the $ for a new car? Not sure, but I think I will probably look for a used Prius or something...maybe only after my car finally dies.
When I get down to it, I don't drive much, so it's very difficult for me to justify $20k for a car, when my semi-clunker can go another 3 yrs.
My comment ended up being less about the car and more about the very idea of a new car vs. a used car.
Reply
Speculawyer 11:16PM (3/28/2009)
No plug-in, no purchase.
Reply
jpm 1:41AM (3/29/2009)
ditto
Herm 1:33AM (3/29/2009)
if you dont drive much then its not worth it, also how important is a reliable car to you?.. I'm a guy so its not really a big deal if it breaks down.
I will admit the resale on priuses and hondas is good and with the economy the way it is you can get some good deals. Maybe not a bad time to buy a car.
Reply
Nick 3:16PM (3/29/2009)
I'd have to chop off these monstrous side mirrors and make my own ...like the concept had.
Wheels are fugly too.
Reply
Rich 8:17AM (3/29/2009)
Yesterday we test drove one. It's an econo box hybrid. They really took the minimalists approach on this car. It's too high priced for what you get. The ride is choppy and uncomfortable, the doors seems like they weigh a practically nothing. How much side crash protection is there? The short wheelbase and cheapened suspension do not help.
No sale here.
Reply
Lucien 1:47PM (3/29/2009)
The Fit/Jazz Hybrid will come next year (and CR-Z as well).
Regarding HOV rules see here: http://go.ucsusa.org/hybridcenter/incentives.cfm
My guess is that the Insight won't quality unless I misread (>45mpg highway).
Not sure if inventory levels at cars.com is really up to date but right now it shows 1000+ vehicles.
Reply
michael Hippenhammer 4:10PM (3/29/2009)
I still think that the Prius and the Insight are the ugliest cars on the road. I liken it to the Pacer or the Gremlin. Two god awful designs, uninspiring, boring. Typical of most Japanese cars. They can do better. Until then I guess nerds will occupy the controlls of these two cars and they can THINK they are cool. The only thing cool about these cars is that they are a hyrid. Not enough for me. I'll stick to the classic Euopean design.
Reply
Snowdog 6:36PM (3/29/2009)
Already explained. These are aerodynamic shapes. I would rather have the extra efficiency than sharper looks. Same basic shape on Prius/Insight/Audi A2/Chev Volt and all with the same purpose: Wasting less energy cutting through the air.
rookie60 10:25AM (3/30/2009)
Electric cars are a LONG way off. If you are waiting for an electric plug-in that is practical, first buy and Insight. Then when that wears out in 10 years or so, you can buy a reliable electric car. They might be ready by then. Some electric cars say you can go 100 miles. If I go 110 miles up north, I can't get back home. Electric cars are not ready yet. How's that for controversy??
Reply
daninoah 10:10PM (3/29/2009)
I checked one out at our local dealer. They wanted $3k OVER MSRP! The car is not too impressive, and this comes from a devoted Honda buyer. The back seat is tiny, and the dash and console don't do anything for me.
I am waiting to check out the Ford Fusion Hybrid. It gets about the same mileage, is bigger and more powerful, and has what seems to be a pretty nifty dash and tech package. Now it is a few grand more than the insight so the comparison is not too fair. However, I believe there is a tax credit for it.
Reply
Skifree70 6:05PM (4/14/2009)
Guess I'm the exception to the March comments above. Love My 'Sight! Driving my blue LX 2010 since 4/10/09 has been a supreme pleasure. I do miss my 2000 Insight but after 85,000 mi and another birthday (72 yo) I went for 4 dr plus extra air bags. I am 5'7", am comfortable front and back.Took 3 friends on board on way to morning tennis and from a female perspective they had no negative comments. (All drive standard sedans) I like the driver's side up/down seat position adjuster as well as the tilt/projection steering column. I have found the drive as smooth as my 2000 but miss the "stick - get out quickly" drive of the past. So far MPG reads 48, but maybe that's because I'm essentially a "green driver." My Obama 2nd dog choice Labradoodle fits very nicely in the back with seats folded forward and has lots of visual and 99 yo mother says "Wow, this is comfortable indeed!" (she being a former 3x Accord owner/driver. Homebase southern NJ.
Reply