2010 Honda Insight EX
Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Company Part number: CNETHONDAINSIGHT09
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- While the 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation may not be as mileage-friendly as the Prius, it represents a much better value and is more fun to drive.
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CNET editors' review
2010 Honda Insight EX price range: $21,300.00
- Reviewed by: Antuan Goodwin
- Edited by: Wayne Cunningham
- Reviewed on: 02/11/2009
The good: The 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation features excellent fuel economy and a hybrid power train that offers good torque and throttle response. Honda's satellite navigation system features one of the best voice-command systems in the price range and comes equipped with Bluetooth hands-free and USB/iPod connectivity.
The bad: The Insight's "me-too" styling too closely apes the Toyota Prius. Additionally, the Insight features less power and slightly lower fuel economy than the competition from Toyota. While better than most in this segment, Honda's DVD navigation system is beginning to show its age.
The bottom line: While the 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation may not be as mileage-friendly as the Prius, it represents a much better value and is more fun to drive.
It's difficult to describe the 2010 Honda Insight without mentioning another vehicle. The most obvious is the current heavyweight champion of the green car world, the Toyota Prius, from which the Insight has clearly lifted its silhouette. Both vehicles being dedicated hybrid models, it's easy to see why many assume the Insight is Honda's "Prius-killer."
Unfortunately for Honda, the Prius' more sophisticated drivetrain beats the Insight, offering more power and a higher EPA-estimated fuel economy. However, all is not lost, as the Insight brings a secret weapon to the green car wars: value.
With a much lower estimated price tag, the Insight may not kill the Prius, but it'll definitely appeal to hybrid buyers who want to keep a little more money for gas in their pockets.
On the Road
We wanted to test our Honda Insight in conditions in which your average commuter would find himself, so we drove it straight into one of San Francisco's afternoon traffic jams.
We chose the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge route for the sheer volume of commuters who cram through it every weeknight as they leave the city and head home for the suburbs of the East Bay.
Creeping along in the stop-and-go traffic, we were able to appreciate the transparency of the Insight's hybrid power train. Technically classified as a mild hybrid, the Insight's hybrid system never goes into a completely electric-power mode. Rather, the gasoline engine is always the primary motivator and is assisted to varying degrees by the electric motor.
Firmly wedged into the traffic jam, the Insight feels remarkably like a conventional Honda Civic. The only difference is that the fuel economy meter was reading 40-plus mpg, instead of mid-30s, and there was no shifting of gears, due to the Insight's continuously variable transmission's (CVT) lack of fixed gears. Other than that, a blindfolded passenger would have a hard time knowing that the Insight was anything more than a standard vehicle.
Once we'd gotten a good distance outside of the city limits, we hopped off of the highway, leaving the traffic jam behind for a twisty road, and found one more difference between the Insight and the Prius: the Insight is actually fun to drive.
The Insight's 123 pound-feet of torque may not seem like a lot of power (and it's not), but the low-end grunt of the electric assist means that all of the twist is available as early as 1,000rpm. This relatively low power means that the Insight's engine never gets ahead of its suspension.
While Honda's dedicated-hybrid model isn't as tossable and eager to please as, say, the Honda Fit, it certainly is a livelier ride than the Prius. The electric power steering is slightly overboosted and uncommunicative, but the handling is predictable.
As we flogged the Insight around a back road, the gasoline and electric engines sang a tiny, two-tone engine growl combined with an electric motor whine. It's not a pretty sound and, thankfully, the Insight is whisper quiet at more sane operating speeds.
As we tucked the Insight into its spot in the CNET garage, we couldn't help but note that the fuel gauge had barely moved, in spite of the exploitation of the Sport mode. Days later, upon filling the tank, we were glad to see that our overall fuel economy wasn't hurt too badly, landing squarely at the top of the EPA's estimated range.
In the cabin
The Insight's cabin is, at first glance, identical to that of the Honda Civic, only more cluttered.
While the general layout is the same, the Insight's more bulbous dashboard feels less aesthetically cohesive than that of the Civic.
The Insight's instrument cluster has the same futuristic, two-tiered design and bright, blue, backlit gauges. The speedometer has a neat hidden trick: normally blue, the speedometer's backlighting changes to a bright green as you drive more and more economically. By using color as an indicator instead of a separate gauge, we were able to keep our eyes on the road and monitor the "greenness" of our driving using our peripheral vision. Combining green driving and safe driving was a smart move on Honda's part.
Other green gauges include a multi-information display (MID) positioned in the center of the tachometer, which displays current and cumulative fuel economy, along with myriad other parameters. To the left of the tachometer is the charge and assist gauge, which supplies information about whether the batteries are being charged or are discharging to assist the gasoline engine. Finally, to the right of the tach is the ever-important gas gauge.
Many of the Insight's cabin features that differ from those of the Civic seem like they were changed for the sake of being a quirky hybrid. For example, Honda has moved the climate controls into a rounded pod now set closer to the driver. At first this seems like an ergonomic plus; until you realize that in doing so, Honda has moved the touch screen an inch or so further from the driver.
Our Insight EX with Navigation uses the same DVD-based Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System that is available on all Honda vehicles from the Fit on up. The system features a fantastic voice-command system that is among the easiest we've used. Also included with the navigation package is Bluetooth hands-free calling and a center console mounted USB connection with iPod support.
Audio quality from the six-speaker audio system is lacking. While this "premium" system--found only at the EX trim level--adds a pair of tweeters over the four-speaker system found in the base model Insight, the lack of a subwoofer and high quality components is immediately audible. Fortunately, the system doesn't need to work too hard in the Insight's quiet cabin.
Whether equipped with navigation or not, all Honda Insights feature an auxiliary input at the bottom of the center stack.
Under the hood
The Insight's 1.3-liter inline-four is augmented with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid drivetrain, which couples an electric motor with the gasoline drivetrain for better economy. The system is virtually identical to that of the Honda Civic Hybrid, but in this incarnation outputs 98 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque (combined gasoline and electric output). Because of the electric assist, all 123 pound-feet of twist is available early in the power band (1,000rpm) and made short work of steep-hill starts.
Coupling the IMA drivetrain with the wheels is Honda's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), a transmission that eschews fixed gears in favor of infinitely variable planetary gears that keep the engine speed in the sweet spot for maximum efficiency. Odd for a vehicle with a green image, our Insight EX's transmission was equipped with a sport mode with paddle shifters. Pulling the shift lever down to the "S" position caused the CVT to choose a slightly more aggressive chuck of the power band which, when combined with more aggressive activation of electric assist, created a more lively driving experience. Acceleration was by no means neck snapping, but the immediacy of electric torque can be appreciated.
To the right of the instrument cluster is a large green Econ button which puts the Insight into Eco Assist mode. Honda says this mode modifies various vehicle systems to minimize the vehicle's overall energy use for increased fuel economy. In practice, we didn't notice any discernible difference between the vehicle's operations with Eco Assist on versus off.
Unsure of why anyone would want to drive a hybrid uneconomically, we left the Eco Assist system on for the bulk of our testing.
The Insight's drivetrain also features a Start-Stop system that shuts down the gasoline engine when the vehicle is stopped, for example while waiting at a traffic light. The system only works when the vehicle's engine has warmed to operating temperature and the shifter is in "D." The transition from stop to start is noticeable and, if you don't get the brake-to-gas-pedal timing just right, can be a bit jarring. We'd like to attribute this behavior to the fact that our Insight was a preproduction model, but considering that we had a similar experience in the Honda Civic hybrid, we're sure that it's just designed that way.
Over the course of our testing, which included an equal mix of city and highway driving, we attempted to keep the Insight's speedometer glowing green with thrifty driving techniques, but we must admit to taking a few hasty trips in Sport mode. In spite of our lead-footed indiscretions, the Insight managed a respectable 43.2 combined mpg, landing at the top of EPA estimates of 40 city and 43 highway mpg.
When we tested the Prius, we ended up with a combined 45 mpg. When you consider that the Insight, unlike the Prius, never goes into an all-electric mode and can be fun to drive, the 43 mpg mark is that much more impressive. We believe that, with more restrained driving, the Insight would match the Prius for miles per gallon.
In sum
The Insight outputs less power than the slightly heavier Civic Hybrid. Oddly, the Insight is also slightly thirstier than the Civic Hybrid, which manages 40 city and 45 highway mpg. Looking at the performance and economy numbers, one would assume that the Civic Hybrid is the better direct Prius competitor in Honda's lineup.
So where does the Insight fit in?
The answer may lay in the expected MSRP. The base-model Insight Hybrid is expected to retail for around $20,000. The EX model adds alloy wheels, paddle shifters, traction control, cruise control, and upgrades the audio system to six speakers, and is expected to add about $1,500 for the upgrade. Checking the box for Honda's satellite-linked navigation system with voice command, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity should add about $1,200 more for a grand total of about $22,700.
A similarly equipped Toyota Prius would retail for $26,574 and the Civic Hybrid with navigation comes to $25,650, making the 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation a potential best value for a hybrid vehicle.
User reviews
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Honda handling; great packaging; fabulous gas mileage
by insightman on February 12, 2009
Pros: Low price, great handling and gas mileage, more cargo space than Prius, and great looks, carrying forward the great Honda designs of the 1984 CRX, 2000 Insight, and 2008 FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle.
Cons: No satellite radio option and the US is denied the European Insight's heated seats, foglights, rear disc brakes, and 16-inch wheels.
Summary: Tthe CNET review is incorrect: the Insight CAN run on electric-only power--but only after you're under way, not from rest. The low pricing of the new Honda Insight should ...
Summary: Tthe CNET review is incorrect: the Insight CAN run on electric-only power--but only after you're under way, not from rest. The low pricing of the new Honda Insight should make it a viable option for anyone who believes that the low-price gas bubble will pop as soon as the economy recovers.
I've owned two Insights and loved them. Fortunately, the true fuel economy of the new Insight is much greater than the EPA tests reveal. None of the testers of this car have been able to drive it hard enough to get their gas mileage DOWN to the EPA-test ratings of 40 city and 43 highway mpg. Some have achieved greater than 70 mpg. Unfortunately, due to the packaging requirements of the hybrid electronics and batteries, there was room for a gas tank holding only 10.6 gallons, so the new Insight will not be able to match the astounding 700+ mile range of the original Insight.
It's a slick car with great handling and Honda quality. The Prius may get better gas mileage in stop-and-go city driving, but on the open highway, no car you can buy will exceed the Insight's fuel economy.4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The 2010 Honda Insight > you think
by wentzr on April 1, 2009
Pros: Actual MPG - HIGHER than EPA estimates
Affordable
INSANELY fun to drive.
Obvious intent to design instrument panels which help train you to be a more efficient driver.
Highly maneuverable, lightweight, tight handling and incredibly responsive carCons: No two door version (yet)
Not a plug-inSummary: Lets get it out of the way. It looks like a Prius. But really where did the Prius get it's styling from? Is it a crime for Honda to ...
Summary: Lets get it out of the way. It looks like a Prius. But really where did the Prius get it's styling from? Is it a crime for Honda to steal back the design which originally showed up as the 1st gen Honda Insight? Lets not forget it was Toyota who borrowed the look of the current Prius from the original Insight... Lets separate fact from fiction: Honda did this first. Toyota gets the credit because the prius was mass-produced, the insight wasn't... but that doesn't put Toyota on the map first.
Another thing to get out of the way: there is no EV only mode. Big deal. It's a "mild-hybrid".. call it what you like. Mild spicy or hot, the 1st Gen Insight is also a mild hybrid but leaves every other car in the dust with EPA ratings of 60+ MPG.
I took this car out for a test drive at my local Honda dealership last week, It happened to actually be the first time the car was ever driven, outside of the four miles spent getting it from the factory to the truck and the truck to the showroom floor, so this was quite an exciting drive!!
I'm a 5 year owner of a 2003 Insight and am not looking to buy, and was hoping I would be disappointed with the new insight so I wasn't tempted to buy! Well I was actually floored. I'm used to my CVT, but the addition of paddle shifters for manual shifting added to the driving experience, and with a little practice I'm sure you could increase your fuel efficiency by using them to override the econ mode in driving situations where you can see what the car can't: grades in the road, turns, traffic conditions etc.
The Odometer is backdropped with a color changing gauge which gives the driver immediate feedback on how their driving style is impacting fuel efficiency. When you are driving efficiently with the gas pedal, the backdrop turns green. If you're heavy on the pedal the color shifts blue. Point is you want to keep this in the green, and you can see this gauge at all times out of your peripheral vision.
I took the car for a 12 mile loop on the freeway and through downtown Oakland, Ca. I got an average of 62.5 mpg. This is better than I get in my 2003 Insight which has an EPA rating of 56/57 (according to the old EPA standards).. at this I am totally stunned. At several points of the test drive I accelerated heavily and was experimenting with the paddle shifters, which deepens my wondering... "What MPG could I get if I *really* tried??" So I will likely testdrive this car again, and will likely be even more tempted than I am every day since my first spin last week to buy this car. . we'll see how long I can hold out.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Insightman is right on!
by jonniedee on February 12, 2009
Pros: The 2010 Insight can and does run on electric power alone sometimes.
Cons: Too many folks think Honda ripped off the prius shape when it's just the opposite
Summary: The Honda insight IMA system allows the vehicle to move WITHOUT the engine actually firing, but it is still rotating the engine with its valves closed. Guess the reviewer just ...
Summary: The Honda insight IMA system allows the vehicle to move WITHOUT the engine actually firing, but it is still rotating the engine with its valves closed. Guess the reviewer just made assumptions by the way he thought the vehicle was driving.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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What's all the fuss??
by schlachtos on August 17, 2011
Pros: Comfortable driver's seat. Attractive (in a standard hybridy sort of way). Easy to park. Better mileage than most of today's other cars. Decent sound system. Affordable. Gives you solid "Green cred."
Cons: Feels tinny. Distracting and confusing dash layout. No rear legroom. Tiny hatchback. Econo mode unusable for city driving in hot climates. Jerky stops.
Summary: Overall I enjoy the Insight when I remember it's a basic economy car. However, I expected more in terms of fuel economy. I have never been able to achieve ...
Summary: Overall I enjoy the Insight when I remember it's a basic economy car. However, I expected more in terms of fuel economy. I have never been able to achieve more than 35 mpg in this car and usually get closer to 33--no matter what the dashboard read outs tell me. Granted I don't attempt to drive in a way that keeps the gauge glowing green all the time but I'm not a 75 year old grandma either. I used to own a '92 Honda Civic 5 speed in which I could easily exceed that kind of mileage most of the time no matter how hard I drove it. So what's the big deal about hybrid technology if a nearly 20 year old car could give you the same or better result?
The main problem with my poor mileage I am guessing is that you cannot turn on the econo mode in town--I live in Honolulu. Whenever you stop at a red light (every block on our congested streets) the engine shuts off, which is great for fuel economy I suppose. However, the air conditioning compressor also shuts down meaning you are immediately blasted with hot air making any ride in the city comparable to stepping in and out of a sauna every 5 minutes. I would love this car if I still lived in a cool climate where rolling down the windows is an option and where the vast majority of my driving isn't constant stop and go. Too bad that's not my situation. -
Great fun car to drive
by topavanp on August 4, 2011
Pros: Excellent Fuel economy
Fun to driveCons: Interiors could have been better
Cargo roomSummary: This car is an excellent alternative to the PRIUS.
Yes, Prius gives better gas mileage than the Insight, but comparing the "True cost to own" values over a 5 year ...Summary: This car is an excellent alternative to the PRIUS.
Yes, Prius gives better gas mileage than the Insight, but comparing the "True cost to own" values over a 5 year period, Insight looks a better alternative.
Mileage : I have achieved anywhere between 40-55 mpg while driving at a speed of 30-40 mph.
And about 40-45 mpg when I drive at 70 mph. But for a drive which had a lot of stops I only could achieve about 35 mpg. Turning the A/C full blast did lower my fuel economy by about 2-3 mpg.
Performance: I love driving my Insight. Turning off the ECON button gives a much more fun ride but at the cost of fuel economy.
Interiors : Quality could have been better. Small front seats. Less cargo space, but with the rear seats folded, its not too bad. The stereo system is quite good and I can charge and play my Iphone/Ipad through the USB connector.
Summary: Very happy to drive this beauty. -
No complaints
by Mijo2much on July 5, 2011
Pros: Price, room inside, fuel efficiency feedback
Cons: Larger tires would be nice
Summary: This is a great little car, I am running around in the 'burbs and also on the highway for hours at at time. I am tall (6'8") and I ...
Summary: This is a great little car, I am running around in the 'burbs and also on the highway for hours at at time. I am tall (6'8") and I have no complaints. I traded in a 5 series BMW, and I am just as comfortable in the insight.
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Easy to get 52mpg highway, but hard to get 40mpg city
by bbartter on May 25, 2011
Pros: info available on dash
space with the back seat down
fun to drive
priceCons: can't get 40mpg in the city
the user manual needs a good editor
BIG blind spot when glancing over right shoulderSummary: all in all, a great car
Summary: all in all, a great car
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Very pleased so far!
by craigbwalter33 on April 21, 2011
Pros: Gas mileage. Pretty snappy to drive. Honda does a great job of designing an interior that just very functional. Rides very smooth for a small car. Lots of guages and colors to constantly keep you aware of gas savings. Much nicer looking than the Prius.
Cons: I don't like how it just auto-stops the gas engine when you come to a stop because the A/C gets warmer or the heater gets cooler.
Summary: We have had this now for about a month and really like it a lot. I have done only city driving so far and have calculate 39 MPG (even though ...
Summary: We have had this now for about a month and really like it a lot. I have done only city driving so far and have calculate 39 MPG (even though the guage in the dash claims 42 MPG). Still, very good mileage and I can't wait to take it on the road for even better mileage. Some people say it does not have much power but that has not been a problem for us. So far we really have no complaints and it is probably outperformed our expectations.
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Hurrah! 15 months now with nothing to complain about!
by Mr Reynolds--2008 on April 10, 2011
Pros: 1. Absolute 15-month average of 42.0 MPG by independent calculation (miles traveled/ total gallons of gas purchased). 2. Rack-and-pinion steering that feels very sure. 3. Front disc brakes combined with rear drum brakes (recommended for actual short stopp
Cons: 1. Does not seem to "coast" as far or freely as did the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid that it replaced--but that might be purely a function of mass, as the Camry Hybrid was much heavier (and of course only averaged 35 mpg overall). 2. Toyota drivetrain integra
Summary: It IS fun to drive, every day and everywhere, and I have no hesitation in recommending this car to anyone who feels comfortable driving a small car. The engineering differences ...
Summary: It IS fun to drive, every day and everywhere, and I have no hesitation in recommending this car to anyone who feels comfortable driving a small car. The engineering differences between the LX and the EX are in my opinion material differences, however, and whether or not you want to add the navigation system, I would recommend reaching deeper to buy the EX model. Thus far it has proved to be the most dependable car I have ever owned (in fifty years of driving). Except for the gasoline, which I have to pay for--and the synthetic oil, which is paid for by my dealer as a perk--my only expense in 15 months of ownership has been the one-time cost of rotation of tires, and the money I have paid to have it washed and waxed to protect it from birdlime. Oh, and just now, April 2011, $150 for the latest navigation DVD--which seems to come out every second year. The 2011 model has added the light-sensing automatic headlight switch that the 2010 CR-V had, but the 2010 Insight did not.
What may be in the future? Probably XM/Sirius radio, maybe a backup camera--which I would like to see; otherwise, this seems to me a pretty satisfying bundle! -
Fantastic Mileage! Stylish look and fun technology!
by ebynutt on April 9, 2011
Pros: Mileage (FANTASTIC), Auto Stop, Sport mode = awesome, apparently great safety ratings, way better looking than prius, interior fit and finish, information displays, very comfortable and noticeable
Cons: Drive mode and Sport mode are very different in performance; Drive mode has a lack of response in the city. The exterior rubber piece on the roof will come off every time I get a car wash, very annoying.
Summary: I bought the car because it was a low cost Honda hybrid plus I wanted something different than a civic. Honda gave me a great deal on the EX w/ ...
Summary: I bought the car because it was a low cost Honda hybrid plus I wanted something different than a civic. Honda gave me a great deal on the EX w/ Navigation. I bought it in Las Vegas and drove to Denver for around $35 in gas. I then drove from Denver to NYC for around $100. Now that gas is getting closer to the $5/gallon mark, I laugh at all my friends with their 12 mile/gallon trucks. Honda only recommends changing the oil every 10K miles. The sport mode worked great in the rocky mountains, no problem shifting up hills; obviously not a sports car though. The navigation = meh, google maps knows better 9 out of 10 times. I love the Bluetooth and the usb hookup; i just hookup my phone to the usb and all the music shows up on the the touch screen, very user friendly. You can voice command the car to turn off and on heat/AC (Also known as super lazy mode). If you're all about traveling or commuting for a low price, this car is perfect.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Company
- Part number: CNETHONDAINSIGHT09
- Bottom Line: While the 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation may not be as mileage-friendly as the Prius, it represents a much better value and is more fun to drive.
Safety Features
- Smart airbags Standard
- Antilock brakes Standard
- Traction control Standard
- Stability control Standard
- Adaptive cruise control Standard
Entertainment
- Connection for portable MP3 sound system Standard
- MP3 CD-enabled sound system Standard
- USB connection Standard
Climate/convenience
- Multizone climate control Standard
- Keyless entry Standard
- Two-way security system Standard
- 12V power outlet Standard
Drivetrain Technology
- Drivetrain available front-drive
- Drive by wire Standard
Navigation
- Voice activated navigation Standard
Communication
- Bluetooth phone interface Standard
Accessories
- 10" 800 Watt SUBWOOFER - KOLE MFW-10 (33578790)69.99
- 12" 2000 Watt DVC Legacy Red Series Subwoofer (34115176)59.02 - 80.63
- 15" 1400 Watt Legacy Red Series Subwoofer (34130241)37.45 - 74.60
- Alpine KTP-445 (32856425)119.00 - 136.98
- BOSS BLADE BL1000 - amplifier (33576850)134.99
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CX1250 - amplifier (33576878)96.75 - 144.99
- Alpine CDE 121 - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (34462902)84.99 - 106.48
- BOSS 748UAI - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (35262586)84.79 - 100.99
- BOSS 755DBI - radio / digital player (33578317)74.99 - 119.00
- Alpine Type-S SPS-1005 - car speaker (31346832)34.98
- Alpine Type-S SPS-500 Car Speaker (32905977)43.44
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CH6950 - car speaker (33577030)23.15 - 49.95
- Magellan RoadMate 3055-MU - GPS receiver (34755130)144.99 - 156.99
- Garmin nüvi 40LM GPS receiver (35022291)109.99 - 159.99
- Garmin nuvi 1450 (33832577)119.99 - 197.99
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse American Honda Motor Company products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:American Honda Motor Company
