First Drive – Honda Insight

Aug - 06 | By: RPM Canada | 2 comments.

Filed under : 2010 Reviews, 3. June 2009

Story and Photos By Gerry Frechette

More and more, the benefits of new technology have to be weighed against the costs to the consumer. In the recent past, the reasons to want a car were primarily styling, performance, luxury and intangibles like brand prestige. Those still exist, but now you can add fuel economy and environmental concerns like emissions, both as wants and needs.

As a rational choice, Honda has always been near the top of shopping lists, and, of course, hybrid vehicles are the best of current technology. Enter the new Honda Insight hybrid compact sedan. It hits the market at an interesting time, of course, the same year as arch-rival Toyota launches its similar-size Prius. At the moment, the Insight is the least expensive hybrid on the market, likely much less than Prius will be, but on the other hand, the Insight is a slightly less-economical partial hybrid in which the electric motor is an assist to the gas engine, not the primary source of propulsion. A dollar cost-benefit analysis enters the buying equation at this point – the projected cost per kilometre driven, that sort of thing.

Of course, there are non-dollar costs to consider, like in any car, and the Insight has a few that those familiar with Honda cars might be surprised to hear. With all the mechanical and electronic bits doing their thing under the hood, one expects there to be some different sounds from a normal gasoline car. But the two Insights we have driven both exhibited an unexpectedly high level of what the industry calls NVH – noise, vibration and harshness. Hondas are usually a paragon of driveline refinement, with the smoothest four-cylinders in the business, so the Insight was a surprise.

Its system will shut down the engine when at a stop, but the restart of it is accompanied by some noise and harshness. But more than that, in normal operation where the electric motor kicks in to assist the engine, there seems to be a shortage of the kind of refinement other hybrids, including past Hondas like the Civic, have exhibited. It is a feeling of all the whirring things under the hood just not spinning so smoothly. Yes, there are many of them, but those moving over from a gasoline Honda will notice a difference in refinement and quiet operation.

And that feeling continues with the ride and handling, which seems relatively harsh by the standards of a modern compact sedan or, again, compared to the standards set by past Hondas. We don’t know the reason for this – maybe it’s the smaller and noisy low rolling-resistance tires, or lightweight suspension components, all in the name of lightness and improved fuel economy.

And then, there is the feeling that the Insight is just not very quick. Not that Honda set out to build a sporty car, as economy is the number one priority here. But it just feels dull, like a heavier car than it is. Now, it may be acceptably quick by the actual numbers. And we didn’t time its acceleration with a stopwatch. But it is the subjective feeling of liveliness or energy, more important than actual speed, that is missing, especially given how all other Hondas have had that feeling for decades. Indeed, Honda’s own Fit subcompact, even with automatic, feels noticeably more lively (with almost-as-good economy and room, at a much cheaper price), although it may actually be no more quick in acceleration. Perception is everything.

So, do we dislike the Insight? No. As a sensible and attractive compact sedan with outstanding fuel economy, a high level of equipment, nice fit and finish, the expected Honda attributes like resale value and reliability, and all at a very competitive price, the Insight should be considered by anyone looking to get into a hybrid car.

But we can’t help but be a little disappointed with the non-dollar costs associated with all the benefits of the Insight. Some of the dynamic and sensual goodness of all previous Hondas has been engineered out of the car, in the quest for low fuel consumption and a low price point. Can that basic conflict ever be resolved? As eco-conscious driving enthusiasts, we certainly hope so, but it hasn’t been here.

Those shopping for a hybrid and looking at the Insight should bear in mind that some costs can not be measured in dollars. Its dollar costs are low and its benefits are many. It is the subjective costs of the Insight that need to be considered.

And then, there is the feeling that the Insight is just not very quick. Not that Honda set out to build a sporty car, as interior economy is the number one priority here. But it just feels dull, like a heavier car than it is. Now, it may be acceptably quick by the actual numbers. And we didn’t time its acceleration with a stopwatch. But it is the subjective feeling of liveliness or energy, more important than actual speed, that is missing, especially given how all other Hondas have had that feeling for decades. Indeed, Honda’s own Fit subcompact, even with automatic, feels noticeably more lively (with almost-as-good economy and room, at a much cheaper price), although it may actually be no more quick in acceleration. Perception is everything.