The Fun hybrid
Back in 2000 I sampled the original Honda Insight with its 3 cylinder engine, 2 doors, 2 seats and manual transmission. With its fly-weight and micro dimensions, the original Honda Insight was a zippy commuter and returned outstanding mileage. It was a fun ride and achieved up to an astounding 70 mpg (with the manual transmission).
Shortly thereafter, I sampled the first generation Toyota Prius. These two vehicles had very different personalities. Toyota’s original Prius had enough practicality and packaging going for it to outsell (and outlast) the Insight. In six years of production only 18,000 of the original Honda Insights sold.
The Honda Insight returns; Toyota now has a fight on its hands.
Honda already has a lot of experience building hybrids for our market. They have successfully marketed the Civic Hybrid and had limited success with the Accord Hybrid. Still, neither of these vehicles was purpose-built as strictly a hybrid vehicle. Neither were ever very competitive with Toyota’s Prius sales numbers.
Ironically, the new Honda Insight’s platform is based on its excellent, frugal Fit.
This new Honda Insight has a few tricks up its sleeve, not the least of which is a price that will undercut the Toyota Prius’ by a significant amount. It is coming to our market touted as the cheapest hybrid in America. Add to that a real attempt at driving pizazz, comfortable accommodations and a nice list of standard features (including an iPod, MP3, USB port) and Honda is hitting the scene, guns blazing. The entire package is fresh, clean, new and feels like a Honda product.