Featured Honda Insight: 3rd time's the charm

meh, no one's buying hybrids anymore.

 

If I were going to buy a Hybrid though......this might be one worth looking at.
Unfortunately, even though there's only about a $300 difference between the two base to base, the Prius does have a 2 year track record of at least acceptable reliability.......warts and all.

It's a cruel choice indeed for somebody in the hybrid-only market!!

 

My son's on the cusp of going from a (knackered) 06 Civic Hybrid to an 18 CRV. The new vehicle is interesting: 1.5 liter turbo, active grill shutters, for example.

 

My son has eyes on Civic Hatchback, if and when my 08 CHC he is driving now gets decommissioned. If I am not concerned about fuel efficiency, I would have gotten one for myself.

 

Nice to see that the Insight has the same radar cruise and security suite standard as the Prius

Looking at the trunk, though, makes it seem like there is no spare tire


...which would mean the Prius Two non-Eco and the Prius Three are still the only hybrids or plug-ins sold today in the USA with spare tires. Even the larger Honda Clarity and even-larger-than-that Pacifica (plug-in) hybrids aren't sold with spare tires.

 

interesting and sales aren't always compatible.

 

I can see a lift up floor section here.

The Accord has the battery under the rear seat like the Camry, but has an inflater kit for weight savings. That is likely the same for the Insight, but since these cars share sheet metal with models with a spare, the tire well is likely under that floor flap.

The Ioniq has a spare standard in the UK, but is an option in the US.

I don't think there is any plug in with a spare.

Weight is not the only reason to ditch the spare. The AWD Sienna doesn't have one because of the drive train space requirements.

 

For a few years the Fit manual transmissions came with spare, while the automatic substituted a "kit". The reason (published, IIRC) was to keep the weight down, maybe keeping it in some class. Spare tire kit was readily available, though, around $250.

 

The article i read that the ICE did not power the wheels only a Generator ala Volt. Also his test drive unit had paddle shifters ..not for the trans but how aggressive to toggle the regenerative braking.

Perhaps they went with Insight instead of Civic hybrid because of the total battery failure and class action lawsuit taint of the auto known as Camry hybrid .

Did not take the time to do a more in depth look at pricing, insight vs prius ..but Honda infotainment has had Android auto for a bit now and most cars come with real alloy rims instead of hubcaps . Also this is not a hatchback and really seems to undercuts the Camry hybrid price wise and mpg ..so two shots across the bough toward Toyota with this release .

Kenny

 

I'm assuming Honda has fixed their battery problems of the past?

If there is one thing that would keep me away it would be unproven battery tech. Other than that it looks like a pretty decent package!

Also...is it just me or does the Insight look a lit like the Mazda 6?

 

Honda switched to Li-ion for the last year or so of the IMA Civic hybrid.

This is the same hybrid system as in the new Accord hybrid.

 

What's the transmission like? Prius type? I'm not too impressed with the CVT tranny our old 06 right now...

Compression test on an 06 Civic Hybrid? | PriusChat

 

I know that...but is it proven? Not necessarily proven hardware either..but software as well. I thought Honda's battery control software wasn't the best and that is what caused some of the problems? Or am I totally out to lunch. Probably the latter!

 

It is neither. Honda claims it has no transmission. It does, but it has just one gear ratio; a one speed like an EV.
Most of the propulsion is by the traction motor. It is a series hybrid except that the ICE can clutch in to help at highway speeds.

The software let the NiMH packs to be discharged too low for long life; 40% SOC is the lowest you want to go.
Model years 2012 to 2015 have the Li-ion pack. Barring a small sample size from low sales, issues should be appearing

 

The option to choose a spare is a good idea.

The standard safety package also looks great! ( 1:30 in the video above ). Obviously included to compete with the Prius.

$22,830 base base price doesn't seem to bad either ( 25:50 in video above ).

I think he also mentions a high 0-60 time around 8 seconds. Not too bad!

 

put it out of its misery and bring on the plug!