Hybrid Cars

Honda Insight
MSRP: $18,200
Estimated MPG: 40 city / 43 highway
Class: Compact hatchback

The Honda Insight represents the second model year of Honda’s revival of their original Prius rival that helped to spearhead the hybrid movement in the late 1990’s.  The new model has lost much of the futuristic awkwardness of the previous version’s design, and it has presented itself as a credible and less expensive alternative to the leader from Toyota.

The Honda Insight returns at an important time in the hybrid market.  Without a true competitor in its class for many years, the Toyota Prius has come to dominate the small compact alternatively-powered segment. The Insight is a much more complete vehicle than it was in its initial iteration, now sporting a back seat and usable trunk space that makes it a real threat to the Prius’ hegemony.  Also noteworthy is its price – at just a tick under $20,000, it forced Toyota to reposition their hybrid flagship’s MSRP in record time.  Despite this effort, the Insight is still much less expensive than the cheapest Prius trim level.

What do buyers get for their money?  The Honda Insight has built on the technology featured in the Civic Hybrid and provides an upgraded battery and something called Eco Assist, a real-time feedback system which evaluates how efficiently a driver is piloting the car.  It even offers a teaching program that claims to be able to gradually reduce the carbon footprint of Insight owners.  The vehicle’s 1.3 liter, 4-cylinder engine – again, similar to that in the Civic – uses i-VTEC variable-valve timing and an electric motor to offer 101 horsepower and the ability to drive short distances on battery power alone.  The Insight even makes allowances for sporty driving with a special virtual 7-speed transmission mode that can be controlled via paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.  With fuel economy coming in at 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway, no one would mistake the Insight for a performance car – but it certainly offers excellent value as a fuel miser.