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| With its low weight and short wheelbase, this tiny Honda is as nimbleas they come, further helped by the steering system's nearweightlessness. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
In all actuality, mind you, the Insight is an entertaining vehicle to pilot. With its low weight and short wheelbase, this tiny Honda is as nimble as they come, further helped by the steering system's near weightlessness and lack of resistance. Within the confines of the city, the Insight is good deal of fun, zipping in and out of cars in traffic, but it is not afraid to venture outside of the urban territory. On twisty, winding roads, the Insight follows the road accurately, but beyond posted speed limits it becomes a challenge to set the car up for corners. With softer tuning in the rear end suspension, a narrower rear track, and those 165/65 SR 14 low-rolling resistance tires, the Insight has uninspiring cornering limits, which can leave even the most seasoned enthusiasts spellbound at its ability to slip between low-speed understeer and oversteer. The standard fit tires, comparable in width and grip as a space-saver spare tire tramline on grooved pavement, making the nose twitch like a hyperactive puppy. Needless to say, keeping the Insight in a straight line without constant adjustment can only be done on mirror smooth asphalt.
Other traits worth noting about the Insight include the car's ride, which is quite comfortable. Instead of crashing or transmitting bumps, the Insight cheerfully bounces along without any significant reduction in comfort. This first-generation hybrid Honda is also slightly louder than the typical economy car at speed, although this can be traced to its thin skin, and a general lack of sound deadening insulation.
At $19,330, the Honda Insight gasoline electric hybrid comes without air conditioning. With air added, as in my tester, the price jumps to $20,530, with the only other option being the CVT transmission for a total of $21,530. Aside from a handful of dealership accessory add-ons, that's it. It's expensive for a
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| At $26,000, the Honda Insight gasoline electric hybrid comes as-is, aside from a handful of dealership accessory add-ons. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
two-seat subcompact vehicle, but at the same time it's the cheapest hybrid currently on the market; quite a bit easier on the wallet than Honda's four-door Civic Hybrid, and even more of a savings compared to Toyota's jellybean shaped Prius. While you may be paying more for the Insight than the average vehicle, the technology incorporated into its design, from the lightweight aluminum frame to the first-generation electric motor still means that Honda is making a loss on every vehicle sold. However, your ticket does come with all the goodies you need - automatic air conditioning, keyless entry, a CD stereo system, ABS brakes and a five year, 60,000 mile comprehensive warranty, which would include replacement of the costly hybrid batteries if needed.
