Honda explains the lack of moonroof and LED lights on the Insight
When the Honda Insight went from concept to production in late 2008, it stayed mostly true to what was first shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. However, as usual, there were a few detail changes, chiefly to the lighting. The concept version had really cool looking LED headlight clusters. However, when the production version appeared in Detroit this year, those were replaced by more conventional halogen units. While the LEDs are efficient and would have saved some energy, Honda reminds people that the Insight was designed as the Hybrid for Everyone! A big part of making the Insight accessible was keeping the cost down and those LED light clusters remain very expensive. Thus they were left on the cutting room floor.
Another feature that wasn't on the concept but does appear to be missed by some buyers is a moonroof. This option was sacrificed in the name of efficiency since it adds weight to the car in addition to cost. As such the engineers decided it wasn't worth eating into the efficiency.
[Source: Honda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stevezilla 5:51PM (4/08/2009)
As silly as this sounds; the lack of a moon-roof is a deal-breaker for me.
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demosthenes 6:21PM (4/08/2009)
Deal-breaker for me as well. Every car but my first has had one and that won't change for the Insight. I don't understand why it isn't an option since they always charge an arm and a leg for one as it is. The efficiency and cost arguments make little sense to me.
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Max 7:00PM (4/08/2009)
Same thought here, they could offer moonroofs and LEDs as a cash making option.
Their argument doesn't make sense.
win39 9:58AM (4/09/2009)
Wonder why these things are never thought out. Maybe a moonroof is less necessary in a cool, cloudy country like Japan, but in any sunny clime running with the moonroof open quickly cools off a car that is 120 degrees Fahrenheit from sitting in the sun. Without that means a long, long run with the air conditioning on full blast till the car is comfortable. Moonroof is a big energy saver most of the year for me in Southern California.
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Nick 6:58PM (4/08/2009)
They concept was amazing, the production version ugly.
Look at these headlights, grille, side-view mirrors, fantastic! Then look at the production version..
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Jim 7:53PM (4/08/2009)
I sat in the Insight at the local dealership while getting my Pilot serviced. The headroom was okay in the front and tight in the back. Adding a moonroof would have made the rear seat unusable for anyone with my length torso.
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MIke!!ekiM 9:42PM (4/08/2009)
I think you've discovered the true reason.
There may be just a headroom issue. I remember now, why I didn't buy a Honda Civic years ago, less then 1 inch of headroom.
You need to take this car on a test drive to see if you'll fit, in my opinion.
Patrick 11:40PM (4/08/2009)
Had the same problem with a Mazda 626 hatch in 1990 or so. I didn't have enough headroom to buy one with a sunroof, and I couldn't find one without a sunroof.
Gordio 9:33PM (4/08/2009)
I think they screwed up by not having an LED option. The car still looks like the prius to many people. The LEDs would have helped the insight stand out. Not just the prius, but for cars in general. LED headlamps only exist in motorcycles. the LEDs in luxury cars are just "eye liner" for the halogen headlamp.
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Red 1:42PM (4/09/2009)
Just because LEDs are offered in headlights now by Lexus and Audi, doesn't mean they're that great. If you'd ever seen the beam an LS600H puts out versus, say an Acura TSX or Honda S2000, you'd understand LED technology is--for lack of a better word--horrible for headlight use in mainstream vehicles right now. And there's no point in having it even as an option, from a manufacturing nor consumer standpoint (especially on a vehicle under $20,000-25,000). A little while ago I saw the headlights alone for a Lexus LS600H were priced over $6,800 (converted from Yen to US dollars; they're popular swaps in the bippu tuning scene in Japan). As far as the manufacturing, you'll notice both the LS600H and Cadillac Escalade Platinum (I believe they're available on the Hybrid and/or Hybrid Platinum as well) use multiple projectors, which, quite frankly, not only makes them more expensive to make than single-projector halogen or xenon based headlamps, but also, in the case of the Escalade, a lot less attractive.
What Honda did here with both the moonroof and LEDs, makes sense, but you have to keep in mind from their perspective, it's a case-by-case evaluation. It makes sense to offer LEDs on a high end future Acura and a moonroof on a spacious Fit. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to have either on an Insight. At least not until it's third generation.
Efried 2:20AM (4/09/2009)
Honda folks, please also explain the lack of aerodynamic measures which were already implemented with the old Insight. I think this is a "me to" car which shows no interest in adding to technological progress.
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Rich 7:24AM (4/09/2009)
If you want a moonroof then get one installed after you buy it. There are several nice ones out there to choose from.
LED headlights are not so easy to retrofit later though.
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ljbad4life 8:42AM (4/09/2009)
I think its a load of bs, how much could a moon roof weigh 300lbs? it probably like 20-30lbs the most. If they were so concerned about weight they couldve offered the moon roof and done away with that overly dramatic dash board and instrument panel (god knows how much plastic and wiring went into it). LED lights are coming down in price ( i have a couple of bulbs in my house) but they provide very good lighting. Everyone screamed how bland the prius gen II was and honda turned around and blanded the insight.
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Matt 10:20AM (4/09/2009)
Aerodynamics could also play into their decision to not include a moon roof. Those things create a fair amount of drag, and I'm not sure the EPA would test the car without it if a moon roof was available. I don't know that for a fact, but it's my best guess. Oh, and LED headlights are still very, very expensive. The only production car I can think of that has them is the Audi R8. The other cars with them don't really use them as the primary headlights, they're just accents. Reason being, the output of the LEDs they're using is not high enough. The super high output LEDs on the R8 are SUPER expensive... so is the car. I will say, they easily could have included a nice set of HID lights on the car for about $500 and they use less power than halogen bulbs to boot.
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Mike!!ekiM 12:01PM (4/09/2009)
From the picture, it looks like the wheel spokes will be in the air-stream. That may add significant drag.
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Investor 4:44PM (4/11/2009)
I don't understand what is the fascination with sun-roofs! If you want to cool your car down after sitting in the sun all day, just roll down the windows for 5 seconds while taking off and that will dissipate all the heat. I live in Orange County, CA, and I have cars with and without sun-roofs, which can weight up to 100lbs+. Why is it that people must have a sun-roof on such a small car?
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dick beahm 8:42PM (4/22/2009)
no moonroof no thanks!
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