First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

I think you are right..this will be something to watch.

 

The Insight is a smaller class car. Storage is roomy, but especially passenger room is MUCH less than a Prius.

This video gives you a good picture of what it has to offer.

 

The video says the new Insight has more cargo space than the 2009 Prius.

Huh? How?

 

Smaller rear seat. The Prius has a very large rear seat for a mid-size car.

The Honda Fit manages to squeeze the same interior volume as the Prius into a smaller external package. The Insight has the same legroom and hiproom as a Fit but less headroom.

 

The new Prius is a "better" car with more room, more features, but a higher price.
The new Insight, at a lower price, can be considered to be "good enough" by many people.

I'd prefer to have the Prius, but it'll be a close race when the time finally comes for me decide which to buy.

 

I can't say I am impressed with the 40/43 EPA mileage figures. I would expect it to be better than the Civic Hybrid (40/45). I was kind of expecting 2009 and prior Prius like numbers.

I am also dubious on the "1.1 cu ft (1.5 according to the MotorTrend video review) more cargo space than a Prius" claim. Toyota changed the dimension from 16.0 to 14.4 cu between the 2005 and 2006 M/Y (IIRC). BUT, there is no actual change, we have an '04 and '06. Based on my measurements, the 2006+ measurement does not include the tray under the cargo area floor, nor some 'nook and cranny' space that is only useful for 'squash able' or 'carefully sized packaging' cargo (I'm not counting whatever you can store UNDER the tray). And, for comparison, the Insight 'under floor' storage looks pretty limited, useful for small and oddly shaped things. Not getting your plastic snow shovel in there! Of course, the Insight measurement may, or may not, include the under floor storage either, I have no idea.

I do like the rear headrests that store down in the seat back. Better rear view when they are not needed.

Can't say I like the cockpit much at all. Too spoiled by the current Prius I guess. Still has a twist key, still hides most of the gauges behind the steering wheel, still has a linear shifter (and in the way of the cup holders). Don't care for the controls in general. And while I don't usually get too hung up with outside design, I really don't care for the 'Manta Ray Maw' front end.

I will be interesting see what features are in the base model for $18,500 and the features and price of the LX. May or may not be a Prius killer after all

Just watched another video. Better not plan on putting any adults in the back seat! MotorTrend mentioned shoulder and hip room, but I also noticed there is almost no leg/foot room.

MotorTrend and I obviously don't agree: "But at least it is friendly and familiar. From a layout perspective, the Insight interior is very car like, a big departure from the Prius' futuristic but odd cockpit". They must really miss the good old days of crank start, manual chokes and gas tanks you pressurized with a pump handle while driving.

 

It has a much smaller battery in the cargo area, so bigger trunk volumn.

 

It's very interesting. I'll test drive one when they come available.