New cars: 2010 Honda Insight
What the critics say about the $18,700 2010 Honda Insight
Automobile
The “freaky” first-generation Insight has been replaced by an aerodynamic, four-door, five-passenger hatchback hybrid. Honda has aped “the Prius’ basic exterior design and packaging philosophy.” But its 40 mpg city, 43 mpg highway fuel efficiency falls far short of the “fantastic” Prius numbers—50 city, 49 highway. Three people can share the rear row, but only if they’re all preteens.
Autoweek
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Smaller and less expensive than the Prius so beloved by boomers, the Insight is geared to the under-30 set. Automatic climate control, power windows and locks, rear-window defrost, cargo light, and a tilt-and-telescope steering column are all “good interior appointments for its price class.” The “best-handling hybrid yet,” the Insight also delivers superb electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and electronic braking.
Car and Driver
Honda’s priority with this hybrid is “affordability,” not pushing the technical envelope. The car drives like a Honda, “with tight suspension motions, a firm ride,” and responsive steering. Push the ECON button, and a computer starts to moderate air-conditioning cycles and throttle action to maximize fuel efficiency. Maximum output on the basic 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine is 88 hp, supplemented by a 13-hp
electric motor.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - July 24, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - refunds, big funds, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The manosphere: the shady online network of masculinists
The Explainer A new police report said a rise in radicalised young men is contributing to an increase in violence against women and girls
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published