Motoring Blog

Seems these days more and more people are getting obsessed with “going green.” Considering the relentless rise in gasoline prices, not to mention devastating oil spills, I think it’s safe to say that most of us are thinking about alternative sources of energy.

On that note, Honda just released a new hybrid vehicle that’s worth checking out, the next-generation Insight. This five-door hatchback cruises coolly with a total 98 horsepower and 123 foot-pounds of torque.

Naturally, the 2010 Honda Insight is not on the powerful side of the hybrid sedan spectrum with the sluggish crawl from 0-60 mph in 10.8 seconds. Then again for a midsize sedan, the fuel economy isn’t something to flinch at—40 miles per gallon city and 43 mpg highway. The Insight’s Eco Assist function, once activated with a push of a button, is what helps motivate these fuel mileage numbers.

So the 1.3-liter 4-cyllinder engine yielding 88-horsepower works in tandem with a 13-horsepower electric motor. When the gas pedal is pressed, the nickel-metal-hydride battery charges.  The electric motor only kicks in to power the Insight when cruising, not while accelerating. The transmission is a “continuously variable automatic,” and there are special paddles on the steering column you can use to simulate switching gears manually, known as manumatic shifting.

Aaron Robinson at Car and Driver speaks highly about the low fuel consumption:

With even the thirstiest fill-ups of the 10.6-gallon fuel tank usually being no more than nine gallons, fuel stops are NASCAR-quick, and 400-mile transits of California’s nether regions seem to go by at an agreeably rapid rate. It’s a good idea to carry an empty bottle in the car if you’re really trying to make time, for the Insight usually needs a fill-up less often than you need a draining.

That last part about the draining does hit home. Then again, I tend to have bad aim so the empty-bottle tip is not a good idea in my case.

The 2010 Insight offers plenty of legroom for the front passengers, although rear seating can be a little on the tight side. However, the rear seat folds down when additional cargo space is needed. The interior offers a Multi-Information Display (MID), on which various information is shown, like fuel economy and temperature. There is also a satellite navigation option to help you get where you want to go. Bluetooth and even USB connectivity for the radio are added options. There are two trim packages—the LX and the slightly fancier EX, the differences between the two being mainly aesthetic.

Make no mistake—the Honda 2010 Insight is a perfect car for a family on a budget and will be regarded as one of the best sedans available. If you’re looking for good performance along with a cost savings on fuel, look elsewhere.

I personally think the Insight looks stunning, which for me at least is just as important as the environmentally friendly efficiency this mid size sedan boasts.

Photo © Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

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