Wait, Honda only sold 18,000 of the first generation Insight and now they think they can sell 200,000?

The original Insight only had room for two people! So despite its amazing EPA rated 52 mpg combined average, it remained a niche vehicle, and due to its high cost to produce, Honda restricted its production volume significantly and kept the price relatively high as well. Contrast that with the new Insight which can accommodate five people, is built with mass-production in mind, and has a price tag that is speculated to come in as low as $18,500.

Only $18,500? How does that compare to the Toyota Prius?

Remember that this price is still speculation, but Honda is aiming to make the Insight the most affordable hybrid on the market. The current base price for the Prius is $22,000, but the next generation Prius will include options for things like LED headlamps and even solar roof panels, which could get pricey quick. Honda is positioning the Insight to be a bit sportier than the Prius and taking more of a value-based approach. Remember too that the new Prius-based Lexus HS 250 will be the "premium" hybrid in the Toyota family, so the next-generation Prius can't get too pricey. One thing we do know is that the Prius will get better mileage than the Insight, so take that into your cost consideration.

You said the Prius gets better mileage than the Insight, how much better?

Internal testing of the Toyota Prius rates it at a combined average of 50 mpg, compared to the Insight at a combined average of 41 mpg. Keep in mind it's all about how you drive the thing; the website Autoblog Green was able to squeeze an amazing 63.4 mpg on a test run of the Insight. To help you get the most out of the Insight, Honda has designed mechanisms to "coach" you into driving in a more mileage-friendly manner.

It coaches you to drive in a more efficient manner? How?

Honda has devised the John Wooden of vehicle devices to guide you as you drive. Fuel-saving maneuvers like smooth acceleration and braking are rewarded with a glowing green speedometer and a graph that accumulates digital "leaves" the more economical your trip becomes. The idea is to encourage ideal driving through visual feedback cues.

The Insight kind of looks like a Prius, how do they compare side-by-side?

I wouldn't say they quite look the same, but inevitably when you try to maximize both aerodynamics and practicality you end up with a particular shape. I'd say more of the Insight influences come from the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. 

So how does it drive? Does it drive like a hybrid?

If by "drive like a hybrid" you mean like the performance dynamics of a refrigerator on wheels, the answer is no. Autoblog Green in their first drive of the vehicle actually claimed it was "a shockingly fun car to drive in a spirited manner." This shouldn't surprise given its platform is based on a modified Honda Fit, which is a relatively fun car to drive. Not thrilling, but small-car fun.

I know it is economical, but is it safe?

It's a good question. We take safety for granted these days, but Honda has packed lots of technology into the Insight, from standard side curtain airbag to available vehicle stability control. It even has pedestrian injury mitigation designs like an impact energy-absorbing hood for the blind people who can't hear your silent hybrid approaching (don't laugh, it's a problem).

I heard the Insight has a magical economy-mode button?

I don't know if magical is the right word, but you are correct about the existence of a button that triggers "ECON mode." This forces the vehicle to, among other things, operate air conditioning more in recirculation mode and limits power by 4% (unless needed under full throttle situations). It also shoots fairy dust out the vehicle tailpipe at stop signs.

What are some options I can expect on the new Insight?

The only real big option on the vehicle is GPS navigation with Bluetooth. Stepping up from the base LX to the EX gains you things like paddle shifters for the transmission, a USB-hookup for MP3 players, and vehicle stability control.

Sometimes I'll be out shopping and I'll see a mountain bike and want to buy it; would I be able to fit it in the Insight?

Funny you should ask; yes, it will fit. Just don't bring the kids shopping with you on that day because there won't be anywhere for them to sit.

So why don't I just get a Honda Civic Hybrid instead of the Insight?

For starters, it's almost a guarantee that the Insight will be less expensive than the $23,650 Civic Hybrid. The Civic Hybrid is slightly larger and more powerful than the Insight, but it actually is rated 1 mpg better combined than the Insight (though it doesn't have any of the gadgetry the Insight has to help your drive more economically). My guess is that people who want to drive something that "looks" like a hybrid will gravitate to the Insight as well. At a presumed cost much lower than the Civic Hybrid, the better question is why wouldn't you get an Insight?

Are there any other vehicles I should consider in this class?

Beyond the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, you should check out the upcoming Ford Fusion Hybrid (pictured), as well as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. All these vehicles will be bigger and more expensive than the Insight, but they all have excellent mileage and offer different advantages, for example the Jetta TDI is probably the sportiest of the group, while the Fusion offers lots of space and cargo room without sacrificing mileage.

Photo courtesy of Ford

When can I expect to see the first one in a dealership?

I don't know if you saw this one coming, but supposedly the Honda Insight will be released on April 22nd, which is Earth Day (well technically the United Nations celebrates it on the vernal equinox, which usually occurs about March 21, but the United Nations rarely gets anything right).

Any other hybrid surprises up Honda's sleeve?

If you were one of 532 people to read Honda's press release on the Honda Insight, they made a slight allusion to "plans to increase its US hybrid sales beyond the new Insight with the introduction of a third hybrid car, based on the Honda CR-Z concept vehicle." Here is the CR-Z Concept, let your imagination run wild.

Photo credit: Staff

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