2010 Honda Insight EX 

Power: 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder, 88 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 40-43 mpg                                         

Price: $19,800-$23,100

Standard features include: antilock brakes; automatic climate control; 4-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with MP3 playback; power windows, doors, mirrors; keyless entry; rear defogger; rear windshield wiper 

Review by Jeffrey Weidel 

Linked together for years as the industry’s one-two punch, Honda and Toyota go head to head in practically every category. It never seems to matter which Japanese auto manufacturer produces the original model, because the other one quickly responds. 

Although it entered the American market a year after the Honda Insight, the Toyota Prius instantly became the industry standard for the new hybrid era in 2001. And that’s how it remained over the next eight years when Toyota owned the hybrid wars, the Prius clearly the vehicle of choice. 

But a decade after its original unveiling, Honda has finally got it right. Expect the Insight to now have the inside track in its hybrid battle with Toyota. The 2010 Insight came back reincarnated, now an attractive sedan that offers comparable gas mileage to the Prius, that is also a hatchback, comes at a cheaper price, and has better road mannerisms. 

While the lowest priced Prius goes for $22,000, the Insight can be bought for $19,800 and even the loaded version isn’t all that expensive at $23,100. 

So forget about your memories of the old Insight - most people already did. A strange design that was never well received was partly responsible for a mere 18,000 in sales over six years before mercifully Honda pulled the plug on its compact hybrid. 

There’s plenty to like about the 2010 Insight, which gets an average of 42 mpg (Prius is around 46 mpg). With either vehicle, the gas mileage is fantastic. Honda says for every 15,000 miles of driving the Insight will save an extra 40 trips to the pumps. 

Besides the obvious pluses of price and mileage, the Insight provides solid performance for a subcompact hybrid. It possesses a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces 88 horsepower. Additional power comes from the electric motor that adds 13 horsepower and can reach 30 mph without the aid of the gas engine. 

No one is suggesting the Insight is perfect. Two common complaints are the backseat has limited spacing and the road noise is annoying. In my case, turn up the radio a little louder and the noise can be ignored. On the plus side, the front seat offers both good head and legroom. 

There is also a fun factor that comes with the front-wheel drive Insight. It provides a firm ride, responsive steering and the braking is solid. In short, it’s a nice car to drive around town and even a trip into the mountains didn’t feel burdensome for this hybrid.

There’s something new and exciting at Sacramento Scoop!  Every Friday we are going to spotlight a different car in a review written by Jeff Weidel.  “Weidel on Wheels” is a regular weekly feature in Gold Country Motoring and we are excited that he is also sharing with the Sacramento Scoop.  To make it easy for you to find all the reviews in one place we are making a new category called “Auto Reviews”; so just look in the right column and click on Auto Reviews to find new and old as the library grows.

All over America, but especially in California we have long had a love affair with our cars.  I am always amazed when someone in a city like New York City says they don’t drive and don’t need a car because they use public transportation as well as a lot of walking.  That’s great and we would all be better off logging a few more miles on our shoes and saving the ozone by using public transportation, but what if you just want to jump in your car and head over to the mountains for a day of skiing or a quick trip to visit the “City by the Bay”.  (Guess I’m not ready to give up my wheels.)  Even if the economy is bad and we can’t afford a new car, we can dream.  So check out the “Auto Reviews by Jeff Weidel” and when we’re ready for that new car we will be armed and ready with all the facts.  Feel free to comment and let us know how you like the new addition.