FIRST REVIEW: Is The New Honda Insight A Prius Killer Or A Dud?

It's hard to call 40 mpg disappointing, but in this case it is. The smaller, lighter Insight, using a smaller-displacement gasoline engine, seems to be an underachiever. Honda says that's partly because Insight's tuned for a little more punch, to make driving more fun, at the expense of fuel economy.

Honda's 2010 Insight gasoline-electric hybrid isn't the substantial, comfortable car that its Civic hybrid is, nor does it deliver the 50 miles per gallon promised by Toyota for its update of chief rival Prius.

But if Honda prices it low enough, Insight finally could make full-fledged hybrid technology available to car buyers with tighter budgets.

Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

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Agent001 - 1/16/2009 2:37:02 PM

+5 Boost

I noticed at the Detroit Auto show that the new Prius has a much higher quality interior than the Insight and the Insight exterior was not as nice as I was hoping.

The new Prius was a good looking car in person and I wasn't a big fan of the last Prius design.

001

Agent63 - 1/16/2009 3:55:42 PM

-2 Boost

The previous Prius was horrible with quality. Seemed like a bunch of GM parts bin pieces put together.

WorldofLuxury - 1/16/2009 8:34:17 PM

+2 Boost

Honda's intention for this vehicle is the idea of an affordable hybrid. Although, I still agree that making the interior look a bit cheap isn't a good excuse at all.

Obliv - 1/16/2009 2:45:50 PM

-1 Boost

Um, it IS a Prius.

Agent001 - 1/16/2009 2:48:28 PM

+2 Boost

Nah...it looks similar to the first gen one but it looks old and tired compared to the fresh new Prius coming.

Doesn't look that nice in real life either...proportions seem wrong to me.

001

_43LE - 1/16/2009 3:28:27 PM

+5 Boost

The only reason this would potentially be a Prius killer is because of its price.

iLexus - 1/16/2009 4:46:09 PM

+1 Boost

Dud. A super ugly Prius.

toyfan - 1/16/2009 5:48:23 PM

+2 Boost

I invite anyone to correct me if I am wrong because I do not have any stats in front of me. . .
The current gen Prius is faster, bigger, and gets better mpg's than the up and coming Prius "killer."
How is this even a question?
The next gen Prius is faster, bigger, and gets better mpg's than the current Prius. So how is this new Honda a Prius killer? And throw in that it is already slated to sell less than the current Prius.
Now, I'm not saying that it isn't a good car. Or that Honda won't sell all 200,000 that they are making. What I am saying is that it is not as good as a Prius.
So the price will be less. A Mustang is much less than a Ferrari. Yet not to that disparity, the Prius is a better hybrid than the Insight!!!
As a "Prius Killer," DUD!!!

g2ok - 1/16/2009 9:25:16 PM

+3 Boost

Insight is to the Prius what Accord is to the Camry.
Both are good.

lexworld - 1/17/2009 12:49:53 AM

0 Boost

Dude...this thing is absolutely horrible and most folks would'nt be seen in it. Honda has lost it. After the release of the new TL and now this? I truly dont get it. Why is Honda bent on selling these horrible looking cars. THE THING LOOKS LIKE IT FELL OUT OF AN UGLY TREE AND HIT EVERY BRANCH GOING DOWN. "A DUD INDEED"!!

IhavearedS2000 - 1/17/2009 9:13:33 AM

+3 Boost

Honda the better car (more fun to drive than the Prius - not saying much), Toyota the better hybrid (but more expensive, so is it worth the cost in gas savings?)

One thing does surprise me, how all reports say the back seat is tight in the Insight...

It will be interesting to see how the Insight does if Toyota does indeed decide to sell the current Prius at a lower price to compete with the Insight while selling the new Prius at a higher price.

Not a Prius killer OR a dud - just a good alternative for Honda fans and people with less cash (like young people).

S4cabriofoxone - 1/17/2009 4:46:33 PM

+2 Boost

I think it's a class below. What this car offers that nobody else does is a fantastic combination of attributes that the average family wants in a low-cost package. It's efficient enough, decent to drive, OK to look at, spacious/practical, well-built, reliable, and less than $20,000.

The Prius is much nicer, and I have to admit I like the new design a lot more, but you can't really compare them.