Report: Honda Fast-Tracking List of Updates to Improve Insight
According to the U.K.’s Autocar, Honda is fast-tracking a list of updates for the Insight originally scheduled for a mid-cycle makeover that’s still several years off. The focus of the changes will be to further improve fuel-economy, which while impressive at 40/43 mpg (city/highway), lags significantly behind the 2010 Prius and its 51/48 mpg rating.
How exactly Honda plans to improve fuel-economy are not certain, as the automaker’s IMA hybrid system simply can’t complete with Toyota’s more sophisticated two-mode Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Honda is also expected to address the general consensus that the car’s handling and ride quality is sub-par.
Initially the Insight looked to be a serious threat to the Prius, and priced several thousand dollars lower than the Toyota it also launched first in Japan, helping it list as the monthly sales leader in April. With the launch of the Prius (not to mention the Insight’s less than glowing reviews), it fell to third place in sales in its home market with the newly-launched Prius taking first.
[Source: Autocar]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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I bought a 2010 Insight off the showroom floor 1 month ago and so far the best COMBINED 70% city/30% highway gas mileage has been 47.5 MPG driving responsibly (no jack rabbit starts, heavy foot, ect). This is in the city and winding country roads/hills sometimes using paddle shifters and sometimes not. There is nothing wrong with this car and the MPG rating is modest. $5K more for a Prius isn't worth it and it's ugly. I mean what's the deal with the headlights? Are they supposed to be arrow heads or something? XD I'm happy with my Insight and yes I would buy another Honda again and again. Not cutting corners deserves much respect.
I agree. I bought a fully loaded Insight a month ago for $21,900. A comparably equipped Prius is $8K more. Also, I am averaging slightly over 50 mpg to date. So far, I am very pleased and much prefer the look of the Insight over the Prius.