Honda Insight Attempts to Achieve Affordability and Efficiency

Honda Insight exterior image

Honda has long been known for building fuel-efficient, economic cars that also provide a low-impact on the environment. However, the hybrid segment is where Honda has long been number to Toyota, whose Prius remains the top selling hybrid vehicle. With the 2010 Insight, Honda hopes to change perceptions and become the hybrid leader.

The 2010 Honda Insight is an important model within Honda’s lineup. Sure customers can get a hybrid Civic or Accord, but for those drivers requiring fuel efficiency at a low cost, it just made more sense to opt instead for the gasoline-only Civic or smaller Fit. Gardena Honda dealers say the Insight is intended to change this pattern, providing a bonafide green alternative even for those on a tight budget.

With hybrid technology costing a premium, creating a cheaper hybrid was no easy feat. The batteries and electronic motors that power hybrids are complicated, and Washington DC Honda dealers admit that they usually require owners to pay thousands more above non-hybrid equivalents.

The Honda Insight is scheduled to go on sale at dealerships shortly, and the base price of the insight begins at $19,800. At that price, the Insight has become America's most affordable hybrid vehicle, a distinction that San Francisco Honda dealers believe will make all the different among buyers.

Honda claims the new 2010 Insight will go 40 miles in city driving with a gallon of gasoline. Highway mileage is rated at 43 mpg. Although the mileage is outstanding, it isn’t the most compelling, especially from an all-new hybrid vehicle. Compare this to the original 2000-2006 Honda Insight’s 52 miles per gallon combined city and highway driving. However unlike the all-new model, the predecessor was at an advantage with only two seats and limited cargo capacity.

Honda Insight interior dash

The latest Insight is a five door hatchback, improving the functionality of the previous Insight which Salinas CA Honda dealers say remains an important consideration among buyers. In addition to sharing this same body configuration with the Prius, the new 2010 Honda Insight also looks similar to the Toyota competitor.

While functionality has also improved (at the cost of fuel economy), Honda has also improved other areas of the vehicle. For example, the speedometer can actually change color to indicate how economical the driver is. While it’s a neat visual feature, it also keeps fuel economy in mind for the driver at all times. New Haven Honda customers were also amazed that there is even an “Econ” mode to reduce throttle response and adjust air-conditioning and electric assist to maximize fuel economy.

The challenge of the Honda Insight remains its main competitor, the Toyota Prius. Conveniently, Toyota has also updated its hybrid powerhouse, just in time to compete for the same hybrid buyers. But, with the Prius going for $24K and up, the promise of a cheaper hybrid with comparable space and fuel economy may be exactly what buyers want.

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The hybrid vehicle battle keeps heating up, which continues to give more fuel efficient choices to consumers.