2010 Honda Insight
Posted on 06. Nov, 2009 by Albar CM in Sedan
The 2010 Insight is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the LX to the EX… read more w/ Navigation.
Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 1.3-liter, I4, 98-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 40-mpg in the city and 43-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard
Pros:
Top MPG, Great Resale, Honda Reliability
Cons:
Buying experience, econo car feel
Looks like only Prius owners rate reviews here. Pretty childish as there is good information here. My thoughts are just that. I purchased one and buy cars often for business so my views could be biased from owning heavier more expensive cars. I have had 5 Honda’s since 1986.
Driven modestly without any hypermiling tricks my fuel economy average runs in the low 48’s in mixed driving. That includes stops at the stores, drive ins etc. A mix of 75% highway and 25% city. I do see mid to high 50 mpg on Interstate use often nearing 60 mpg in nice weather. I was achieving these figures right from the start and at this time I do not consider the car broken in.
The radio on the EX is not so hot. Reminds me of the crummy radios on base Subaru’s over the years. Your not paying for a $1000 radio but this not good on a $14000 car. So thumbs down. It is also a reach to the controls and would be best suited to steering wheel radio controls like the Element and everything else on the road.
Road noise is not as bad as I would have thought. Clearly less than half that of a Honda Element or CRV. Wind noise on my EX is above average. At 50 mph its pretty noisy. However the car has never been back to the dealer and manipulation of the window seal reduces the noise. I’m hoping it can be reduced by the dealership given these facts.
The car is on the harsh side as far as the ride. A better word would be too taunt like a BMW or a performance car. It has that over spring European feel that is OK on short drives but tiring on long drives. The engine noise is nothing to complain about. Typical 4 cylinder ruckus but subdued and unlike domestic cars of the 80’s early 90’s. I have large hills here and I find the wind noise far worse than the engine noise.
Inside the car looks futuristic and is very attractive. However Honda does not seem to offer darker fabrics which I prefer. Not supplying the $104 floor mats is typical Honda. Not appreciated either. The front seats are comfortable for this over 6 foot 300 pounder. I can put the front seat back so far I can not reach the peddles. Of course no one but a child can sit behind me. To be fair in my large cars they can not either.
Would love to see power seats as standard. The rear is tight but I actually can sit in the back for short trips as long as the front seat occupant is no taller than 5″8″ or so. Entry exit for the front seats is really easy to negotiate thanks to the tilt-telescoping wheel.
I do have an issue with the tilt wheel. Where I need it to be (high) it interferes with the digital speedometer. So I have to alter the seat and wheel and compromise. I do prefer a basic speedometer and it to be put in the normal place. I also find all of the Eco data to be disconcerting and fear its like a person on a cell phone and not all your attention is focused on driving. I turn it all off. Its cute for the first few drives and then bothersome.
I purchased the car to screw over big oil. I did not compare it to Toyota because Toyota is not just 5 minutes from my house and as a third car I was also not willing to go over the low $20,000 range.
I am addicted to the Honda resale potential as I had done well with them over the years. I however do not understand why they retain more value as many domestics are just as well built and reliable. I am disgusted by the Honda buying experience. No floor mats, less features at higher pricing. No auto headlights when GM had them for 20 years or so. The attitude that they charge full retail and to come off a $100 brings on a crying spree from all who work there. If they want to be Saturn, then they need to inform people its one price for all. Its the sticker, take it or leave it.
In the end, its a nice car. My question I ponder is, A Hyundai Elantra is just as nice, better warranty and I know their reliability as I had several go well over 200K with no issues. Priced at $15K if your informed and deal and 33mpg. Less wind and road noise too?
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