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2010 Honda Insight Quality Review

June 15, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

A bit less passenger volume than the Fit and Civic Hybrid
Cars.com

A remarkably practical vehicle given its overall size and low roofline
Jalopnik

One of the things you give up at this price point over the Civic Hybrid is the ability to pay extra for leather upholstery
Automobile Magazine

Unlike previous generations of hybrids, which featured monstrous battery packs that ate into both cargo and passenger space, the high-tech 2010 Insight features a small pack that allows drivers to make the most of the car's interior space.

Inside the cabin of the 2010 Honda Insight you'll find a decent amount of passenger space and seating arrangements for five occupants. However, Cars.com states that the backseat has "three seat belts...but functionally [it's] a two-passenger backseat." Up front, Car and Driver reports that the "cockpit space is generous for two," while Automobile Magazine deems the front seats "simple and comfortable." The back of this 2010 Honda gets cramped in a hurry, though, with Edmunds calling it "considerably tighter than the Toyota's family-sedan-grade rear quarters" and USA Today asserting that "headroom in back is limited." Overall space is "substantially less than in the Prius (85 cubic feet versus 96)," according to reviewers at Car and Driver.

One area where the 2010 Honda Insight clearly outclasses its competitors is in terms of usable cargo space, which is abundant in both trim levels. Cars.com finds that this 2010 Honda "has more cargo space behind its backseat than the Civic Hybrid has in its trunk," while also pointing out that "the rear seats fold...for maximum cargo volume of 31.5 cu. ft." Jalopnik raves that the 2010 Insight is "a remarkably practical vehicle given its overall size and low roofline," while Automobile Magazine reviewers award the Honda Insight a big thumbs-up for its "low and easily accessible" cargo floor.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are somewhat divided when it comes to overall materials quality on this 2010 Honda model. Cars.com feels that "Honda has been ahead of the curve in terms of the quality of its affordable-car interiors" and approves of the "bright gauges and nice, low-gloss surfaces." Taking the other side of the debate are reviewers from Automobile Magazine, who warn that "one of the things you give up at this price point over the Civic Hybrid is the ability to pay extra for leather upholstery," among other things, which they say "you'll be reminded of...every time you run your fingertips over the cheap seat fabric."

Reviewers are also split over the amount of road noise that makes its way into the cabin of the 2010 Honda Insight. While TheCarConnection.com's editors feel that road noise is suitably suppressed, Edmunds says there is "bothersome road noise at highway speeds." However, Cars.com reviewers point out that the Honda Insight's "cabin noise is admirably low considering affordable, efficient cars often shed noise-abatement measures in order to shave weight and improve mileage."

Conclusion

For a $20,000 car, the 2010 Honda Insight delivers what we’d expect, though the backseats are tight.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:A bit less passenger volume than the Fit and Civic HybridCars.comA remarkably practical vehicle given its overall size and low rooflineJalopnikOne of the things you give up at this price point over the Civic Hybrid is the ability to pay extra for leather upholsteryAutomobile Magazine Unlike previous generations of hybrids, which featured monstrous battery packs that ate into both cargo and passenger space, the high-tech 2010 Insight features a small pack that allows drivers to make the most of the car's interior space. Inside the cabin of the 2010 Honda Insight you'll find a decent amount of passenger space and seating arrangements for five occupants. However, Cars.com states that the backseat has "three seat belts...but functionally [it's] a two-passenger backseat." Up front, Car and Driver reports that the "cockpit space is generous for two," while Automobile Magazine deems the front seats "simple and comfortable." The back of this 2010 Honda gets cramped in a hurry, though, with Edmunds calling it "considerably tighter than the Toyota's family-sedan-grade rear quarters" and USA Today asserting that "headroom in back is limited." Overall space is "substantially less than in the Prius (85 cubic feet versus 96)," according to reviewers at Car and Driver. One area where the 2010 Honda Insight clearly outclasses its competitors is in terms of usable cargo space, which is abundant in both trim levels. Cars.com finds that this 2010 Honda "has more cargo space behind its backseat than the Civic Hybrid has in its trunk," while also pointing out that "the rear seats fold...for maximum cargo volume of 31.5 cu. ft." Jalopnik raves that the 2010 Insight is "a remarkably practical vehicle given its overall size and low roofline," while Automobile Magazine reviewers award the Honda Insight a big thumbs-up for its "low and easily accessible" cargo floor. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are somewhat divided when it comes to overall materials quality on this 2010 Honda model. Cars.com feels that "Honda has been ahead of the curve in terms of the quality of its affordable-car interiors" and approves of the "bright gauges and nice, low-gloss surfaces." Taking the other side of the debate are reviewers from Automobile Magazine, who warn that "one of the things you give up at this price point over the Civic Hybrid is the ability to pay extra for leather upholstery," among other things, which they say "you'll be reminded of...every time you run your fingertips over the cheap seat fabric." Reviewers are also split over the amount of road noise that makes its way into the cabin of the 2010 Honda Insight. While TheCarConnection.com's editors feel that road noise is suitably suppressed, Edmunds says there is "bothersome road noise at highway speeds." However, Cars.com reviewers point out that the Honda Insight's "cabin noise is admirably low considering affordable, efficient cars often shed noise-abatement measures in order to shave weight and improve mileage." ConclusionFor a $20,000 car, the 2010 Honda Insight delivers what we’d expect, though the backseats are tight. 2010 HONDA INSIGHT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "More distinctive and much better-looking than the current Prius" Jalopnik: "Looks like a cynical attempt to copy the Toyota Prius . It's not" Automobile Magazine: " Honda owners who get behind the wheel of the new Insight will feel ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The new Insight enters a segment of the new-car market long dominated by the Toyota Prius, and only the Prius. To a lesser degree, the Honda Civic Hybrid has competed with the Prius; unlike the Prius and the new Insight, the Civic Hybrid has essentially the same outward appearance as the mainstream Civic sedan models, but with Honda's IMA hybrid system to yield fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway. The 2010 Honda Insight has a similar hybrid system, but the rest of the package is unique, with a versatile hatchback arrangement and a more memorable look that screams "hybrid." Backseat headroom is a bit short in the Insight. Another alternative is Honda's own Fit, which returns fuel economy in the 30s in normal driving and has an amazingly vast and versatile interior, thanks to the so-called Magic Seat arrangement, along with very crisp, responsive handling. Those who plan to do a lot of highway driving will also be happy with the Jetta Sportwagen TDI, which gets similar mileage on the highway, in a big, roomy vehicle, albeit with lower numbers in the city. Then there's the Smart Fortwo, which some might consider alongside the Insight, but the Fortwo is more of a novelty. It only fits two, parking is a snap, and fuel economy approaches 40 mpg; however, the ride is very choppy, the seats are skimpy, and it's twitchy on the highway. But stop the presses! The Prius will be completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, adding interior space, safety and luxury features, and improvements to the hybrid system, resulting in even better fuel economy and a more responsive powertrain.

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See the Honda Insight in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Carl F Thelin #1, Posted: 6/4/2009

    "Honda owners who get behind the wheel of the new Insight will feel instantly at home." That says a lot for consistent, and logical ergonomics found in Honda and Toyota vehicles. Look around the industry and see how many varieties of "cruise control" buttons and levers there are. SAE tries to standardize ergonomics but...

  2. By Bruce Clark #2, Posted: 6/5/2009

    Crash test results are now in and posted on the government website. Five star frontal driver rating, four star frontal passenger. Five star side impact ratings. Great rollover ratings too.

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