Hybrid Car Forums

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) Mon, Mar 23rd, 2009, 08:55 pm

The all-new Insight appears to be similar to the previous (discontinued) generation in name only. Granted, it uses a similar hybrid system, but the car itself is much different.

Is the Insight still the Insight? Or is it a different car with the same name?

Linda · #2 (**permalink**) Tue, Mar 24th, 2009, 04:49 pm

IMHO, it's a different car. No skirts, has a back seat and four doors, plus worse fuel economy...

I'd've voted for calling the new hybrid by a new name, leaving them room to bring back the original Insight with other fuel options (plug-in electric, fuel cell, CNG, whatever) at a future time, but no one asked me. :-)

~Linda

bwilson4web · #3 (**permalink**) Wed, Mar 25th, 2009, 08:19 am

I've been calling it the Big-Insight in part because the original, two-seat Insight is technically an excellent vehicle. I understand the Big-Insight is based upon the Honda Fit body and uses an IMA drive system. It also solves the problem of folding down the rear seats, the battery does not keep them upright.

I've not driven one, yet. If the local Honda dealer or one of the rental companies gets one, I'll rent one and see what metrics I can gather.

Bob Wilson

Linda · #4 (**permalink**) Wed, Mar 25th, 2009, 08:59 am

bwilson4web said:

I understand the Big-Insight is based upon the Honda Fit body

I'd heard that, but no one could tell me just what "based on" meant! :-) It's got a different wheelbase, for example (98.4" on the 2009 Fit vs. 100.4" on the 2010 Insight). The "based on" comments left me a bit confused.

~Linda

Linda · #5 (**permalink**) Sun, Mar 29th, 2009, 12:51 pm

Hi, Spinner --

Every Insight made was sold. Most markets had a waiting list for them during the years they were available. One might wonder if sales were poor only because production was poor!

I drove the new Insight last Thursday. I was completely and totally impressed with the handling, the feel, the drivability. But when push comes to shove, I am keeping my Original Insight, because nothing yet can touch those fuel economy numbers. It's just three years old, and it's certainly more than just a "memory". :-)

~Linda

Scorpd · #6 (**permalink**) Wed, May 13th, 2009, 03:56 am

While I love my new Insight, I do wish they would of used a different name. Of course it could of been much worse, look at some of the cars that Ford dared to call "Mustangs"

HybridDriver · #7 (**permalink**) Sun, Jun 21st, 2009, 01:25 pm

The new Insight, called the Insight II in many circles, is a Prius with a Honda Logo.

Interesting, it gets Prius MPG numbers without the much proclaimed "EV mode" in the Toyotas.
And the best MPG car of all time, the Insight ( 60 MPG city, 70 MPG Hwy ) has no EV mode either.

Goes to show, the much touted "EV mode" in the Toyotas and Fords is given over-emphasis.