Honda's Prius-Killer Resembles Road Kill 4 Months After Entering U.S. Market

Exactly my thought. Disconnecting MG from the ICE is the key. It allows the MG to become more powerful. Hyundai Sonata hybrid will have 30kW MG. IMA MG ranges from 10-15kW only.

 

I test drove the Insight. I was unimpressed by the mixed message. First of all it looks like a Prius. If you haven't seen one and you're thinking you might drink the "all aerodynamic cars look similar" kool-aid, that's poppycock. It looks like a Prius, and I'm sure that was intentional.

So you're making a social statement with the exterior, because people will see it and know it's a hybrid. But then the interior, and the driving experience, are just like any other car, you wouldn't know it's a hybrid. Why go only halfway?

If Honda's serious about this car they need to work on a real change to the exterior to make it unique. I'd be willing to bet that real-world, non-p&g drivers will get only slightly worse mileage, and the thing is cheaper, so that's not the issue.

The enthusiast car magazines actually like the Insight over Prius because it's more of a "driver's car." They think the Prius driving experience is numb. Well, to each his own, I guess.

 

I believe it's an attempt to market to a broader demographic. I still think the Prius demographic is way more savvy of their car and what it does than the majority of the people. To market to the non-aware, they have to make it transparent. However, Honda decided to style their rival in a manner that screams "HYBRID." So I think they're being a bit schizophrenic about how they want to market this thing. As you say, why go half way? That swings both ways. Why not a car that looks like every other Honda? Or, to target the real Hybrid market, a car that drives like a hybrid (i.e., ICE not connected to the drivetrain unless it is needed).

 

Actually, the IMA system does not open the valves on engine shutdown, it closes them. This way the engine does not pump air through the engine, but alternatively compresses and expands the air in the closed cylinders for pretty close to a zero net work. Of course, the pumps are still operating, which is necessary since the engine is still turning.
As far as the looks of the new Insight, it doesn't copy the Prius, but rather the CRX, which predates the "Prius look".
I think the Insight is another Accord hybrid blunder from Honda. They bet on the cheap aspect--they would have been better off refining the IMA to bring mileage closer to the Prius--the Insight gets worse mileage than the HCH!

 

I take it you didn't agree? Consumer Reports certainly didn't. Honda has a reputation of having cars that provide better road feel and handling compared to an equivalent Toyota product, usually a tradeoff for ride comfort and noise. This is true in general, in my experience, but I wonder if the auto press just assumed this would be the case again this time and missed the mark?

Agreed. With the Accord, it seemed like they went for performance. Hard to beat electric motors for torque at low RPM. Of course, very few people who buy performance cars were going to buy either an Accord or a hybrid, let alone both.

 

It sounds like their saving the improved IMA for the new HCH, leaving the Insight as the entry level hybrid. They overpriced the Insight, or simply should have went directly to a hybrid Fit. The Insight is too close in appearance to the Prius to not have comparisons. A bigger difference in price is needed. Meanwhile a Fit Hybrid would have been compared to the Fit.

 

I was completely bewildered when I first found that out. I test drove an Insight and I wanted to like it, but 41 mpg vs 50 mpg was a show-stopper for me. And then the price/feature is overwhelmingly better with the Prius IMO. I am sorry the Insight wasn't more competitive, would have been beneficial to the hybrid market overall.

 

Its simply not good at being a Prius.

 

How does the Insight compare to a Prius in Australia? I hear you ask.
Well there is a Prius on the market in Australia, there is no Insight!

 

For 2010 GM says they will build only 10,000. While I like the Volt I don't see it as a Prius killer either.

As for the Insight... its just to expensive for what you get. They need to drop the price $2000.

 

I understood that the valves are closed while the IMA powertrain is in EV mode. Am I mistaken?

 

That is my understanding too and that helps reduce pumping and heat loss. However, the piston and other mechanical drag forces remain.

Bob Wilson

 

When preparing to take advantage of the C4C incentives and buy a new car, I was initially attracted to the Insight for its price and seeming comparability to the Prius. I test drove it first, because the Honda dealership was located a little closer then the Toyota dealership on the same stretch of highway, and then drove down the street to drive the Prius. Such a direct comparison made it clear to me that the Prius was a much preferable car, just from a build quality and ride standpoint. Needless to say I went with a Prius, and am very happy with my choice. The Insight made me feel like I was driving a windowless little casket--it was not a very pleasant experience. The Prius on the other hand feels very open.

 

I am sure Honda had no intentions of created a "Prius Killer". I am just so confused as to why their design so closely resembles the Prius. At first glance some people can't even tell the difference!!

 

Aerodynamics

 

So you say, but the first Insight had the same Cd as the Gen III Prius and they are quite easy to tell apart. There is more than one way to skin a cat, as they say, and it's pretty clear Honda chose Toyota's way on purpose.

 

Perhaps the Prius "shape" affords better interior design. In any case, I doubt that Honda is trying to fool customers into thinking they are getting a Prius clone. I thought long and hard about getting the Insight and a golf buddy of mine is the local Honda dealer and would have given me a great deal. What did me in was driving behind an Insight on the highway and I swear I thought I was drafting a roller skate. No thanks. I patiently await my IV Solar.

Buzz

 

Yep, the early Insight had the same CD as the Gen III Prius but it only had 2 doors. Toyota got the same CD as a 2 door 2 seat design and put 2.5 more seats and 2 more doors in it. The only way Honda could get close was to build a Prius clone.

 

The Insight also had the rear wheel skirt to achieve 0.25.