Manage updates with the Download App2010 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.
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
- Atrend 10" Dual Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure for 2002 or Later Avalanche/Escalade Trucks, Charcoal (33387192)62.75 - 81.99
- Atrend 10" Dual Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure for 2002 or Later Dodge Ram Quad Cab Trucks, Charcoal (33411282)78.26
- Alpine KTP-445 (32856425)109.97 - 130.50
- AudioBahn A4002V - amplifier (31869199)119.99
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CX1250 - amplifier (33576878)96.75 - 149.99
- Alpine CDE 121 - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (34462902)98.95 - 108.00
- Audiovox EX50 LCD monitor (31317462)103.96
- BOSS 755DBI - radio / digital player (33578317)74.99 - 119.00
- Alpine Type-S SPS-1005 - car speaker (31346832)34.28
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CH6930 - car speaker (33832561)21.66 - 45.99
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CH6950 - car speaker (33577030)22.45 - 49.98
- Magellan Maestro 3140 - GPS receiver (35154644)123.16
- Garmin Nuvi 50 GPS receiver (35022595)109.99 - 149.99
- Garmin nüvi 40LM GPS receiver (35022291)99.88 - 169.40
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse American Honda Motor Company products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:American Honda Motor Company
