Honda has just recently achieved a new milestone. In 1999, the brand jumped on the hybrid-electric bandwagon and after 12 years of selling hybrids, Honda surpassed the 800,000 sales mark for total worldwide sales.

The first ever hybrid sold by the brand was the Insight, which was first launched in the Japanese domestic market. Since then, they introduced a series of other hybrid automobiles with just as much success. Though Toyota still leads with a total of 1 million Prii’ after last April.

When the original Insight was released, it delivered a very impressive 82.3 mpg, which Honda claims was the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered model of its time.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: CarScoop

Thanks to some new friction-reducing tactics for both the engine and the CVT transmission, Honda said the new Insight is now capable of up to 42 mpg versus the outgoing 41 mpg, making it the most fuel efficient vehicle under $20,000.

The tech gets updated too with an improved version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist as part of the original 1.3L i-VTEC four-banger that’s mated to a 10kW electric motor. The result is a combined rating of 98 total hp and 123 lb-ft of torque, no change from the original model.

Click here for more news on the Honda Insight.

The 2012 Honda Insight’s interior also gets sup upgrades including a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room; a redesigned gauge cluster background with a more technically sophisticated appearance; reshaped center-console beverage holders that accommodate larger drinks; and a more supportive front armrest (Insight LX and EX).

Check out more details here.

- By: Chris Chin

At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda will launch the 2012 Insight Hybrid, which is now even more fuel-efficient producing just 96 g/km of CO2 - 57 mpg on the European cycle.

“Fuel economy and emissions have been improved by means of enhanced aerodynamics and powertrain efficiency,” Honda said in a statement. “Reduced engine friction , Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and better air conditioning, benefiting from a new cold storage system, all contribute to lower fuel consumption.”

The 2012 Honda Insight also gets a refreshed exterior, some upgrades to the interior and adjustments to the suspension for an overall enhancement of the ride comfort and stability.

So far, Honda has just released one image you see above along with everything you read here. Full technical details will be released later this month.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight was never really the brightest or most attractive hybrid option in the segment. However, after two years of sluggish sales, the second-generation Honda Insight is seeing a boost in sales thanks to  high gas prices, increased advertising and the spring-car-buying season.

Ward’s data shows that sales of the Honda Insight increased 62.2 percent to 2,782 units in March 2011. That’s the largest monthly increase for the Insight since March 2010, when deliveries climbed 179.2 percent compared with march 2009.

Click here for more news on the Honda Insight.

If that wasn’t enough to make Honda happy, the Insight’s sales last month outpaced the 52 percent increase for the Toyota Prius. Nonetheless, the Toyota Prius still remains the hybrid king with 42,779 units sold in the first quarter of 2011 while Honda sold just 6,058 units of the Insight.

“You’ve heard this bromide before, (but) when fuel prices go up, people think of Honda,” American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel said.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Wards Auto

2011 Lexus CT 200h

Sales of hybrids and electric-vehicles in the United States increased nearly as twice as fast in the first three months of 2011 due to the rise in gas prices. Sales of the ‘green’ segment were up 37 percent in the first quarter of 2011 to 78,523 units sold, according to Edmunds.com.

Hybrids along with electric-cars accounted for just 2.6 percent of total first-quarter sales of 3.1 million cars and light trucks, which were up 20 percent.

Toyota, with the help of its Prius, accounted for more than two-thirds of hybrid sales but the biggest gains were made by Honda and General Motors.

In March 2011, Toyota sold an outstanding 18,605 units of the Prius. Honda’s Insight came in second with a total of 2,782 units sold, while the Lexus CT 200h came in third with 2,199 units.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News, HybridCars.com

Jay Leno with the Jaguar C-X75

Although many people hate the environment for its smug megalomania, and frequent natural disasters, most celebrities seem to love it. While most celebrities phone-in support by wearing t-shirts and wristbands for charitable causes (also known as “slacktivism”), a select few walk-the-walk and drive-the-drive. The following celebrities rock environmentally friendly automobiles in support of polar bears and free tree love.

Check out our full list after the jump.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio

• Electric-car: Tesla Roadster.
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric (245 miles on a single charge).
• Price: $101,500.
• Type of Car: Sports Car.

Leonardo DiCaprio owns a Tesla Roadster

For years, DiCaprio has been a huge proponent of green initiatives. He was the first celeb to own, and spread the Gospel, about the Toyota Prius in 2001, prompting him to exclaim, “I am the King of the World….’s first successfully marketed hybrid car!” DiCaprio has owned several hybrids and electrics over the years, including the Tesla Roadster, which is fully-electric, and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.

2. Cameron Diaz

• Hybrid: Toyata Prius
• Fuel Economy: 52 MPG
• Price: $22,800
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized Sedan

Cameron Diaz owns a Toyota Prius

“It gets 52 miles per gallon in the city. Isn’t that exciting?” Cameron Diaz said about her hybrid car in an interview with Jay Leno. Diaz went on to say in the interview, “The craziest thing is, ’cause all of a sudden you just, like, you’re sitting at the stop sign. And you can’t hear anything. And you’re like, ‘Omigod! My car has died!’ And then all of a sudden you step on the gas, and you’re going again.”

Despite inadvertently setting the hybrid movement back dozens of years by sounding like a 16-year-old girl, Diaz has been a vocal proponent of hybrid cars, and has been photographed extensively by the media while zooming around town in her Prius.

3. George Clooney

• Electric-car: Tango 600.
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric (range is between 40-100 miles depending on battery.
• Price: $108,600.
• Type of Car: Hatchback Mini.

George Clooney with the Tango 600

Known for being a loner, it is perhaps fitting that George Clooney is the proud owner of a Tango 600, a one-passenger fully-electric car. Maybe he got the one passenger car to prove to himself that he doesn’t need anybody—it’s just him, his Tango, and the open road.

Or maybe the one seat is just to inspire his ladies to climb on top of him, a la Kristy Swanson in The Chase. Regardless of its looks, this goofy car can move, going 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, with a top speed of over 130 mph.

4. Barack Obama

• Hybrid: Ford Escape
• Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
• Price: $21,215
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized SUV

Barack Obama with the Ford Escape Hybrid

Before he became President, and began being carted around by gas-guzzling motorcades and 747’s, Obama was driving a Ford Escape. In fact, after buying the green car, he said something like, “Yes we can…go on a family vacation to Laredo, Texas, on half the amount of fuel consumption of traditional mid-sized SUVs.”

American drivers everywhere applauded at first, but then took a 180 degree turn a year later, and blamed him for everything from traffic congestion to the rising prices of gasoline.

5. Dave Matthews

• Hybrid: Honda Insight
• Fuel Economy: 43 MPG
• Price: 18,200
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized Sedan

Dave Matthews owns a Honda Insight

Dave Matthews is a rock star who is known for his support of environmental issues. In addition to driving a Honda Insight, he has joined the fight against global warming, and uses bio-diesel fuel on his tour buses. His environmentally-conscious visage was slightly marred in 2004, however, when he was punished and publicly vilified for a pollution charge, after his tour crew emptied their bus’s septic system waste off of a bridge in Chicago. The band was subsequently fined $200,000 for this incident.

6. Paris Hilton

• Hybrid: GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid
• Fuel Economy: 23 MPG
• Price: 22,800
• Type of Car: Full-Sized SUV

Paris Hilton drives a GMC Yukon Hybrid

Paris Hilton has contributed to green initiatives in a small way, buying a hybrid SUV, a GMC Yukon Hybrid, and going on to say that it’s the little things people do every day that make a huge difference.

7. Jay Leno

• Electric-car: Chrysler Crossfire (Retrofitted With a Lithium I-Cell)
• Fuel Economy: Fully-Electric
• Price: N/A
• Type of Car: Sports Car

Jay Leno owns Chrysler Crossfire fitted with a lithium-ion battery

Jay Leno is a car buff. That has been documented. But an environment buff? In 2005, Leno bought the first lithium I-Cell-powered sports car. The battery allows the retrofitted Chrysler Crossfire to produce zero emissions, and reach speeds of more than 100 miles an hour.

This is all well and good, but considering Leno owns over 50 other cars, many luxury and high-performance sports cars that get less than 15 miles per gallon, you could hardly say that he’s “going green.” That’s like eating an entire bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and then having a bowl of sugar-free Jell-O for dessert, and saying that you’re “dieting.”

8. Al Gore

• Hybrid: Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Fuel Economy: 34 MPG
• Price: $23,565
• Type of Car: Mid-Sized SUV

Al Gore owns a Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Al Gore won a Nobel Peace Prize for raising awareness of environmental issues, principally through his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, which he made after scrapping his original documentary idea that dealt with the shooting of Abraham Lincoln, entitled An Inconvenient Booth.

Because of this, Gore drives a Mercury Mariner hybrid. The Gore-mobile gets 34 miles per gallon—but it can go 25 miles per hour on zero-tailpipe-emission electric power. The car’s 2.3-liter engine shuts down when it is not needed, such as during coasting, idling at stoplights, and crawling through slow traffic.

CONCLUSION

There you have it: almost as much as attention, communism, and godlessness, celebrities love the environment. Judging from how many celebrities drive “green” cars today, it’s safe to say that if you buy a “green” car, you too will feel famous.

- By: The egmCarTech Staff

With Toyota in the middle of a huge recall mess, 2010 was turning out to be a bright opportunity for Honda, however, it didn’t turn out that way. Instead of gaining on its competitors, Honda’s U.S. retail and market share are down in 2010. Sales of the Honda brand are up just 4 percent through November, in a market that’s up 11 percent.

While some of that has to do with timing – two crucial sellers including the Civic and CR-V, are in the final year of their product cycle, and the Accord is 18 months from a redesign – the other half has to do with sluggish sales.

The Toyota Prius is outselling Honda Insight hybrid 8 to 1. The Japanese automaker planned on selling 60,000 to 80,000 units in 2010 and through November it has only sold 19,325. The Toyota Venza competitor, the Honda Accord Crosstour, sold only 25,927 units. The Venza sold 43,325 units.

The new Honda CR-Z was expected to sell 15,000 units a year and in its first 5 months, the model only sold 4,373 units with 3,000 sitting in inventory.

On a brighter note, the 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan, which was introduced in Sept. is off to a strong start.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

2010 Honda Insight

In an effort to give it some edge over the Toyota Prius, Honda has cut the price on the 2011 Honda Insight with a starting MSRP of $18,200, plus a destination and handling charge of $750 (bringing the total to $18,950).

That is a $1,600 price cut from the current entry level Insight LX, which has served as the base model up until now.

The base level 2011 Honda Insight includes remote entry and has exclusive content compared to the other models consisting of unique seating fabric and a basic audio system with CD player and two speakers. For 2011, the Insight LX adds cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest storage console and floor mats. The Insight EX also adds to the LX features with steering wheel-mounted audio controls (previously exclusive to the Insight EX when equipped with navigation).

Power for the Honda Insight still comes from a 1.3L i-VTEC engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor – which work together to provide an EPA estimated fuel-economy of 40/43/41 mpg (city/highway/combined). Comparatively, the 2010 Toyota Prius (no 2011 model year yet) starts at $22,800 and averages an EPA estimated 51/48 mpg (city/highway).

2011 Honda Insight Prices:

• 2011 Honda Insight: $18,200.
• 2011 Honda LX: $19,900.
• 2011 Honda EX: $21,490.
• 2011 Honda EX with Navigation: $23,265.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana egmCarTech.

Press Release:

2011 Honda Insight Lineup Gains Standard Features and a New Entry Model

Gateway product to hybrid technology becomes even more affordable

Going on sale today, the 2011 Honda Insight hybrid gains new standard features and the addition of a value-oriented entry model that offers enhanced value, exclusive content and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $18,200, plus a destination and handling charge¹ of $750.

The range of Insight models for 2011 now starts with a new value-oriented base model, simply designated as “Insight.” As before, the well-equipped “Insight LX” continues to be available, yet with additional features, along with the top-of-the-line “Insight EX,” which continues to be available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™. All Insight models are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) for 2011, which was previously exclusive to the Insight EX.

The new Insight base model includes remote entry and has exclusive content compared to the other models consisting of unique seating fabric and a basic audio system with CD player and two speakers. The Insight LX gains features for 2011, adding cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest storage console and floor mats. The Insight EX adds to the LX features with steering wheel-mounted audio controls (previously exclusive to the Insight EX when equipped with navigation).

The distinctively styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 40/43/41 miles per gallon². The Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™), an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles.

A sleek exterior features a highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental vehicle for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area enhanced by 60/40 split fold-down seats.

Major features standard to the Insight include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; VSA; an anti-lock braking system; a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt-and-telescope steering column; manual driver’s seat height adjustment; power windows; an AM/FM audio system with CD player and two speakers; an auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.

The Insight LX adds or replaces to the Insight with cruise control (new to LX), a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface (new to LX), armrest console (new to LX), floor mats (new to LX) and a security system.

The Insight EX adds or replaces to the Insight LX features with alloy wheels; steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters; an audio system with six speakers; heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals; and much more. Exclusively available on the Insight EX, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System³ (6.5-inch screen) with voice recognition provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7 million points of interest within the continental United States. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for hands-free operation of compatible mobile telephones, along with related steering wheel-mounted controls for voice activation of the navigation and hands-free telephone systems.

A 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) and a DC brushless electric motor forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned in-line between the engine and the transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking (regenerative braking).

The Insight’s IMA system has the capability to operate exclusively on electric power in certain low- to mid-speed cruising conditions. It can also provide cylinder deactivation during deceleration and an idle-stop feature when the vehicle is stationary. With a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, the Insight delivers an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles. Models for sale in California and states that have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ZEV standards receive an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.

The Insight uses Eco Assist to help drivers improve fuel efficiency, both by altering vehicle functionality and providing driver feedback, with fuel-economy dependent on their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if equipped). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-appearing background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green = efficient). The driver’s results are continuously tracked as fuel efficiency ratings are shown per drive cycle and on a lifetime basis in the form of plant-leaf graphics that appear in the Multi-Information Display (MID). Up to five leaves can be ‘earned’ as the driver demonstrates a fuel-efficient driving style. A real-time score is shown in the Eco Guide MID screen.

Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints; and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. All new Insights also feature Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.

Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric car, the world’s most-advanced production fuel cell automobile.

Honda’s diverse lineup of environmental vehicles also includes the Civic GX compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) sedan, the only retail CNG vehicle currently available from any automaker in the U.S., and three distinct gasoline-electric hybrid models: Civic Hybrid, CR-Z sport hybrid and Insight hybrid.

Honda was recently named America’s “Greenest Automaker” for the fifth consecutive time by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The award is earned by the company with the lowest combined score of its smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO₂) in its U.S. automobile fleet. Honda has led the UCS rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since the first UCS study in 2000, marking a decade of Honda leadership in reduced vehicle emissions. Honda earned the recognition this year with an industry-best score based on model year 2008 data, the latest available for analysis.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks the 2011 Honda Insight as the third-best vehicle in the United States for fuel economy, tied with the Civic Hybrid, among all currently available 2011 model year vehicles evaluated by the agency.

- By: Omar Rana

2000 Honda Insight

We’re not sure if you remember, but the Honda Insight hybrid was once more popular than the Toyota Prius. The origina Insight, which was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback has been named the No. 1 EPA-Rated Fuel Sipper by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Top 10 EPA-Rated Fuel Sippers list, which covers models from 1984 to present, gives the 2010 Toyota Prius the No. 2 spot.

Honda holds 5 spots on the list with the 1986-1987 Honda Civic Coupe HF coming in at No. 5, 1994-1995 Honda Civic HB VX coming in at No. 6, 2006-2010 Honda Civic Hybrid coming in at No. 7 and the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid coming in at No. 8.

Check out the full list at the EPA site.

- By: Stephen Calogera

2010 Honda Insight

There is no hiding the hybrid wars between Honda and Toyota and their hybrid models, the Insight and Prius. In hopes, to overtake the Prius for once and for all, Honda President Takanobu Ito challenged his engineers to speed up the launch of the next-generation Honda Insight hybrid, which has been a major sales disappointment.

He said he wants the next-generation Insight to beat the Prius in terms of fuel economy.

Honda, which has not capitalized on Toyota’s recall issues and lost U.S. market share, has grown “complacent” and needs to refocus on better products and stronger marketing, Ito said.

“I’m not satisfied,” he said of American Honda Motor Co.’s slide to a 10.1 percent share of the U.S. market in the first quarter, from 10.5 percent a year earlier.

Ito says he is also working on rolling out a new hybrid strategy for larger vehicles as well.

Click here to read our review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Last month, Chrysler, Hyundai General Motors and Ford starting offering incentives taking advantage of Toyota’s recall troubles. Honda was the only automaker that decided not to offer any incentives to Toyota drivers and said that it “will not react in a predatory way toward either Toyota or Toyota customers.”

Well, it seems like Honda has changed its mind. While Toyota’s Prius hybrid is going through a recall for brake problems, Honda is offering a sub $200-a-month lease deal on its Insight hybrid, obviously to go up against the Toyota’s pride and joy.

Honda is offering a lease payment of $200 a month that combines 12,000 mile/36-mph limit with a residual of 63 percent and a lease rate of .00141. A $750 cash rebate can also be combined with the special lease rate.

The deal, which lasts through March 1, is so good Edmunds.com has named the promotion its lease deal of the week.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoObserver

When Honda launched the 2010 Insight Hybrid last year, it expected to sell well over 200,000 units. However, the Japanese automaker now expects to miss that sales target after the Insight has been shunned in favor of the 2010 Toyota Prius by U.S. drivers.

Selling 200,000 Insights worldwide in the first year “looks tough,” Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo. “I think we compromised too much on size in pursuing fuel efficiency” for the North American market, he said.

Kondo said that the Insight is “too small” and that there isn’t enough room for U.S. customers in the back seat.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Insight 7-to-1 in the U.S. in the last quarter of 2009. Honda sold 130,445 Insights worldwide as of Dec. 31.

Check out our review of the 2010 Honda Insight.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Bloomberg

Tomorrow in Japan, the curtains will open on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010. At the show, Honda will show a lineup of modified and customized vehicles. Joining the lineup will be the Insight Sports Modulo Concept.

“Leveraging the Insight hybrid vehicle”s advanced aerodynamic performance and fun, comfortable driving, the Insight Sports Modulo Concept expresses the joy of driving with the theme of ‘Exciting Eco,’ Honda said in a statement. “With its advanced styling featuring chiseled lines, the Modulo concept vehicle demonstrates the new value that Sports Modulo customization has to offer a next-generation hybrid.”

Check out the high-res image gallery posted after the jump.

Honda Insight Sports Modulo Concept:

Press Release:

Overview of Honda Exhibition at Tokyo Auto Salon 2010

TOKYO, Japan, January 13, 2010 – Honda Access Corporation*1, manufacturer of genuine Honda aftermarket parts and accessories, announced that it will feature a new Modulo*2 concept vehicle and new styling study models in its exhibition at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 with NAPAC*3, to be held from Friday, January 15, to Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

*1 Honda Access Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

*2 Modulo is an original Honda customization brand.
*3 Sponsored by the Tokyo Auto Salon Association with the cooperation of the Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee (NAPAC).
*4 Gathers is a genuine audio and navigation system brand exclusively for Honda vehicles.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2010

“¢ Honda vehicles on exhibit
< Concept model automobile(1) >
Insight Sports Modulo Concept

< Study model automobiles (2) >
Freed Styling Study
Life Styling Study 2010

< Competition automobile (1) >
Touring Modulo Insight (participated in 2009 Enjoy Endurance Race at Twin Ring Motegi)

< Production automobiles (5) >
Modulo Insight, Modulo Step WGN, Modulo Stream, Sports Modulo Civic Type R, Civic Type R Euro (vehicle with dealer options)

< Navigation system concept model (1) >
Gathers Advance

- By: Kap Shah

With the introduction of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the redesigned Honda Insight, and a slew of other hybrid-versioned mainstream models, 2010 will go down as the model year that the hybrid market blew open and progressed from being the ‘Prius’ market.

Though Honda is no newcomer to the hybrid market, the 2010 Insight is their answer to the Toyota Prius; the iconic hybrid that defined the inaugural generation of the gas-electric hybrid vehicle. The low, flowing design with sporty rear hatch gives the Insight a a sleek, competitive, and hybrid-centric design, while not embarrassingly screaming ‘tree-hugger on board’ as you drive by.

But how will it hold up to the 2010 Toyota Prius? Let’s find out.

Hit the jump to read more and to view the high-res image gallery (at the bottom of the post).

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

2010 Honda Insight Specifications:

Base Price: $19,800.
Price as Tested: $24,120.
Engine: 1.3L i-VTEC 4-cylinder – 98-hp / 123 lb-ft. IMA electric-motor – 13-hp / 58 lb-ft.
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Curb Weight: 2,723 lbs.
0 to 60 mph: 12 seconds.
Fuel-Economy: 40/43 mpg (city/highway).

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

Exterior:

The exterior design of the 2010 Honda Insight is typical of what one would expect of a hybrid vehicle; it’s small, has a bit of an elongated shape, and a low front that opens up into a much broader rear-hatch. That being said; there is enough aesthetic appeal so that even the harshest critic of the hybrid look might not be totally revolted.

Sitting on 15″ alloys, the front of the Insight sports projector-beam halogen headlights with blue-tinted chrome bezels that give the car a bit of visual-pop during the darker hours, and LED brake lights.

As we said before, however, looks couldn’t matter less when shopping for a car in a segment where all of your options look like a wedge of cheese; it’s what is inside and under the hood that matters most.

Interior:

The Insight’s interior reeks of the Civic and Fit, but that is not to say anything negative. The dash has a very futuristic feel with the LED speedometer that sits in a nook carved out above the main dash of the steering wheel. Generally speaking though, the dash has a rather modest motif, but we feel that it suits the car well. The LCD navigation/radio display screen (on the EX trim package) sits square in the middle of the dash, to the right of the digital climate control buttons. One space saving feature we thought was rather intuitive was the replacing of multiple HVAC vent option buttons, with a single touch button that cycled through the venting options with each push. In the middle of the gauge cluster, situated right behind the steering wheel, sits another small LCD screen, or Multi Information Display, as Honda has dubbed it, about the size of a deck of cards, that updates the driver as to their statistics such as fuel economy, and battery usage.

Another cool feature on the Insight’s Multi Information Display is the EcoAssist feature; a system that provides feedback to the driver via an ‘eco score’ in order to help the driver operate the car more efficiently. The EcoAssist system even has a companion iPhone app that reports to the driver how efficient their driving is. The driver’s trip is rated in leaves, with three leaves indicating an optimally efficient trip.

Overall interior comfort is also pretty impressive, with sufficient rear leg room for your tree-hugging friends. The rear seat folds down 60/40 to expand the already ample cargo space located under the rear hatch, making the Insight a modestly-sized vehicle with ample space to provide for an active lifestyle. You’ll get 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded up, and 31.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

Our assessment of the interior did not leave us without complaint, however. The overall material use is of standard quality, the navigation system lags and seems very third-partyish, and the removable cup-holder is in the most asinine location (you can even remove a little piece that makes the cup-holders disappear).

Performance:

The technology employed by Honda to power the 2010 Insight is their Integrated Motor Assist engine, or IMA for short. The conventional motor is a 1.3-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that puts out 98 horsepower and up to 123 lb-ft of torque. Figure in the integrated electric motor which sits between the engine and transmission, and the figures increase by 13 horsepower and and up to 58 extra lb-ft of torque. The IMA kicks in to aide the conventional engine during acceleration and uphill driving. The i-VTEC technology features its patented two valves per cylinder, and deactivates the intake when cruising at moderate speeds; this technology also aides in increasing fuel-economy, as does Honda’s CVT transmission. ECON mode, available as part of the EcoAssist system, offers a one touch feature that modifies the vehicles various systems to help minimize the overall energy expenditure of the vehicle, combining with the aforementioned attributes to provide an extremely fuel-efficient machine.

Though Honda employs these multiple fuel-saving technologies, the Toyota Prius still sits atop the hybrids as most fuel-efficient with its EPA estimated 48/51 mpg, and 50 mpg combined. The Insight gets an estimated 40/43 mpg, though we only averaged 35 mpg during our week-long test.

The only complaint we had with the vehicle’s overall performance was the jerk that you feel when the car switches between hybrid and conventional gasoline modes. Though the car performs decently, be in mind that it is a hybrid after all; top speed is about 112 mph and 60 mph comes in a sluggish 12 seconds.

Overall:

The Insight comes with a slightly more modest price-tag than does the Prius; pricing starts at $19,800, $21,300, and $23,100 for the LX, EX, and EX with Navigation trim packages, respectively. Compare these prices to those of the Prius; $22,400 for the Prius II, $23,400 for the Prius III, and $26,200 for the leather-trimmed Prius IV, and there is a considerable issue as to affordability.

Toyota though, offers more amenities and greater flexibility with regard to options on the Prius than Honda does on the Insight and as said before, the Prius trumps the Insight on fuel-economy as well. All in all we feel that the Prius represents a better buy in this segment.

One should bear in mind however, that Toyota has been chomping at the bit with Prius for quite sometime, and that the Insight represents Honda’s entry into the designated-hybrid segment, and it was in fact quite an effort. Honda also has an exciting new hybrid coupe in the pipeline, the 2011 CR-Z, which I’m eagerly anticipating.

Review: 2010 Honda Insight:

- By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

We returned to the 2010 Insight back to Honda earlier this morning, so we figure it’s time to take a look at its competitors before we give you a full review sometime next week.

2010 Honda Insight:

• Base Price: $19,800.
• Power: 1.3L 4-cylinder i-VTEC / 10kw electric-motor – 98-hp / 123 lb-ft of torque.
• Fuel-economy: 40/43 mpg (city/highway).

2010 Toyota Prius:

• Base Price: $22,400.
• Power: 1.8L 4-cylinder VVT-i / 60kW electric-motor – 98-hp / 105 lb-ft of torque.
• Fuel-economy: 51/48 mpg (city/highway).

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

• Base Price:
• Power: 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 / net output equals 191-hp / 136 lb-ft torque.
• Fuel-economy: 41/36 mpg (city/highway).

There you have it. We’re still taking questions for the 2010 Honda Insight, so ask us anything you want and we’ll be sure to answer it as soon as possible.

2010 Honda Insight (Weekly Test-Drive):

- By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Stephen Calogera ““ egmCarTech.

As we told you guys yesterday, we are test-driving the 2010 Honda Insight this week. Today we’ll give you a brief walk around the interior.

The inside of the Honda Insight will be very familiar to those who know Hondas well since it is mostly inspired by the Civic and the Fit. Besides all the standard features on the Insight, the highlight is the Multi-Information Display that holds the EcoAssist and EcoGuide information screens. The system provides you feedback on your braking, acceleration and other vehicle information to help you drive more efficiently. At the end of every drive, the EcoGuide gives you a score (in leaves) letting you know if you were kind to mother nature during your trip.

Standard features on the Insight LX include a 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System, MP3 playback capability, AUX input, speed-sensitive volume control, ECON mode, automatic climate control, Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down for the driver, Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column, 60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seatback, the Multi-Information Display, Digital Fuel-Mileage Indicators and an Average Fuel Economy Indicators.

The Insight EX adds cruise control and the EX Navigation package adds Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation system (the system’s performance is a bit slow overall).

As we pointed out yesterday, one thing we’re not to found of are the paddle-shifters. It seems unnecessary to us in a hybrid vehicle – although others may disagree.

Let us know what you think after the jump and make sure you ask us all the questions you want about the Insight.

2011 Honda Insight (Weekly Test-Drive):

- By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

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.

As reported earlier this morning, Ford’s U.S. hybrid sales were up 73 percent during the first nine months of 2009, as compared to the same period last year. Through September, Ford said it sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles with the new Ford Fusion Hybrid leading the pack.

According to Automotive News, Ford and Honda are fighting for the No.2 spot among hybrid vehicle sellers in the United States. Honda currently holds the No.2 spot, led by the Honda Insight and the Civic hybrid, selling a total of 29,958 hybrid cars in the first nine months of this year, a gain of 8 percent from 2008.

Toyota Motor Corp. leads all automakers in U.S. hybrid sales by a huge margin, selling more hybrid vehicles than all of its competitors combined. However, Toyota’s U.S. hybrid sales were down 28 percent during the first nine months of 2009, with a total of 144,351 hybrid vehicles sold.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

- By: Stephen Calogera