Weekly Test-Drive: 2010 Honda Insight gives us mixed feelings

After saying farewell to the 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost, we welcomed the 2010 Honda Insight to our garage this week. The 5-passenger 2010 Honda Insight is powered by a 1.3L 4-cylinder i-VTEC gasoline engine and a 10kw electric-motor. The system helps the Insight hybrid achieve an EPA rated fuel-economy of 40/43 mpg (city/highway) and a combined fuel-economy of 41 mpg. Prices start at $19,800.

First Impressions: Excuse us for being a little opinionated here, but most of us at egmCarTech agree that the 2010 Honda Insight is a much better looking hybrid than the 2010 Toyota Prius – on the outside at least. But when you’re shopping in a segment where most models are shaped like cheese wedges – looks could matter less. What matters is how fuel-efficient the hybrid is and how it drives.

After taking our first drive in the 2010 Honda Insight, we weren’t that impressed. For example, as with most hybrids, the Insight’s engine turns off when you come to a full-stop. When you release the brake, the engine comes back on and you’ll definitely feel it come back on because the Insight rattles a bit during the process.

As for the interior, it seems to be heavily inspired by the Civic – which is not a bad thing to be honest. However, we were a bit confused by the paddle shifters on our steering wheel – does a hybrid vehicle really need paddle shifters? The only thing we really like about the interior was the cargo space in the back – it can easily fit 1 1/2 golf bags.

We’ll have the 2010 Honda Insight until this Friday and will be providing updates along the way. Stay tuned and make sure you ask us all the questions you want answered about the Insight.

2010 Honda Insight (Weekly Test-Drive):

– By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.