Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The first-generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback.^[1][2] The 2000 Insight ranks as the most efficient United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified gasoline-fueled vehicle ever, with a highway rating of 61 miles per US gallon (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) and combined city/highway rating of 53 miles per US gallon (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg_-imp).^[3]

Honda introduced the second-generation Insight to its home market of Japan in February 2009. The car went on sale in the United States on March 24, 2009.^[4] At $19,800 as a five-door hatchback it is the least expensive hybrid available in the US.^[5] In December 2010, Honda introduced a less expensive base model for the 2011 model year priced US$18,200. The Insight was launched April 2009 in the UK as the most affordable hybrid on the market with a starting price from £15,490 (otr), which was more than £2,000 lower than other hybrids, and became the best selling hybrid for the month.^[6][7]

Honda's Insight, billed as the cheapest gas-electric hybrid on the market, ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan for the month of April 2009, the first time a hybrid has clinched that spot.^[8] During its first twelve months after first available in the Japanese market, the second-generation Insight sold 143,015 units around the world.

Second generation (2010–)

In 2009, Honda introduced its second-generation Insight based on an all-new, 5-passenger, 5-door, dedicated hybrid platform, which was also later used for the Honda CR-Z. The concept version of the Insight hatchback hybrid electric vehicle had made its public debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.[27][28] and its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.[29] In the US, the new Insight is classified as a compact car based on its interior volume.

Fuel efficiency

Estimated fuel efficiency according to the U.S. EPA testing methodology is: City 40 mpg_-US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg_-imp), Highway 43 mpg_-US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg_-imp), Combined 41 mpg_-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg_-imp).^[30]
Honda UK state that the official UK fuel efficiency data for the Insight SE is: Urban 61.4 mpg_-imp (4.60 L/100 km; 51.1 mpg_-US), Extra urban 67.3 mpg_-imp (4.20 L/100 km; 56.0 mpg_-US), Combined 64.2 mpg_-imp (4.40 L/100 km; 53.5 mpg_-US) and the CO₂ emissions rating is: 101 g/km,^[31] putting it in the second lowest UK road tax band.^[32]

Performance

Car and Driver magazine performed a comparison between the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Toyota Prius.^[33] In this test, the Insight achieved 0–60 mph in 10.3 seconds (Prius, 10.0 seconds), the quarter mile in 17.9 seconds at 78 mph (Prius, 17.6 at 79 mph), and 70–0 mph braking in 181 feet (Prius, 182 feet). The Insight's average fuel economy during a 600-mile controlled evaluation was 38 mpg (Prius, 42 mpg). Overall, Car and Driver selected the Insight as their preferred vehicle due to its "fun-to-drive" qualities including superior handling, steering, braking, and paddle-shifted transmission.