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In the latest issue Consumer Reports tests 22 small cars and hatchbacks and Honda's new Insight only rates a "Good." That might not sound all that bad, but CR usually gives all Hondas an "Excellent" or "Recommended" or "Top Pick" rating.
Out of 22 cars, the Insight is just 21st. The only car to rate lower is the Dodge Caliber… ouch!
"The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version."
Still CR did highlight the Insight's fuel-economy at a tested 38 mpg. Honda officially claims 40/43 mpg (city/highway). The car's braking was also cited as a high-point.
The car did not, however, live up to Honda's handling standards, which we suspect has a lot to do with the only semi-independent rear end.
As a result of this the Insight will not receive the Consumer Reports "Recommended" stamp of approval, which is based on test data, predicted reliability and crash testing.
Honda is warning that it may not meet its forecasted sales target for the all-new 2010 Insight hybrid and is citing both the worldwide recession and the low cost of gas as factors.
The Japanese automaker set an ambitious target of 200,000 units for the car's first year, with almost half of those vehicle sales being in the U.S.
"Given some dramatic change in things, I don't think we'll get to 90,000. At 50,000 to 60,000, we will be just fine," said Honda America VP John Mendel to Bloomberg. Despite this news Honda is not updating its forecast.
According to a Reuters report Honda is also concentrating on sales in Japan right now, as unfavorable exchange rates with the U.S. mean that profit margins are slim for cars sold in the U.S.
In Japan, the Insight was the best selling car in the month of April, but Honda lost that title in May to the 2010 Toyota Prius.
U.S. Insight sales may get a significant boost in the second half of 2009 if the Cash for Guzzlers legislation comes into effect. With an average fuel-economy rating of 41 mpg, the Insight will be an ideal candidate for those looking to get a deal as they trade in their high-mpg car or truck.
The Cash for Guzzlers bill gives as much at $4,500 for new vehicles that exceed the traded-in vehicles' fuel-economy rating by 10 mpg. And at a starting price of just $19,800, there are a lot of 31 mpg cars that can be traded in to make that total just $14,300.
It's here at last. Honda's new Insight hybrid was built for the sole purpose of taking on the Toyota Prius and while it's not technically in the same class of vehicle, being somewhat smaller than a Prius and therefore only a compact car, Toyota sees the car as a credible threat and has slashed Prius prices to meet the challenge.
So the question remains, can this all-new model compete with Toyota's third-generation Prius? Let's take a look.
With an MSRP of $19,800 ($23,900 CDN) the Insight is the cheapest hybrid on the market. It was supposed to be drastically less than a new Prius, but with Toyota cutting prices as well the difference is now just $2,200.
And with the styling of the two cars being almost identical, it's hard to judge either vehicle on its visual appeal. Besides, if you're looking at a car like this you probably already like the futuristic look of aerodynamic efficiency. It's actually growing on us, although sometimes and from some angles the Insight can still look dorky. We really love the Clear Sky Blue Metallic paint though.
With those factors out of the way, we're left to judge the car on its remaining categories: comfort, functionality and fuel economy.
Unfortunately for Honda, the "fun-to-drive" factor (a strong hand for every one of the company's cars) really isn't of much concern here.
The month of April marked an important milestone for both Honda Motor Co. and hybrid cars. Last month the new Insight achieved the status of being Japan's most popular vehicle with more units sold than any other model - marking the first time a hybrid has ever been the monthly sales leader.
In April, 10,481 Honda Insights were registered for road use in Japan.
The runner-up was another Honda, the sub-compact Fit with 9,443 vehicles sold, marking the first time Honda has ever held the top two positions. The Fit has been a continuing success for Honda, holding the top monthly sales for the previous four months, as well as the top sales for the past calendar year and past fiscal year.
Official release after the jump:
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that Insight ranked as the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations* in Japan for the month of April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association). It is the first time in history for a hybrid model to be the industry’s best selling vehicle in Japan for any monthly sales period.
Fit was the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations in Japan for calendar year 2008 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Fit was also the industry's best-selling car for the month of March 2009, for the fourth consecutive month since December 2008, until it was displaced by Insight to become the industry's second best-selling car in April 2009, with sales of 9,443 units. It is the first time Honda has occupied the industry's top two... [Read More]
For the next few days the automotive news coming out of New York City won't be from Wall Street, but from the Jacob Javits Convention Center - where the 109th annual New York International Auto Show is being held.
Instead of horror stories about tumbling stock prices and poor sales figures, there is genuine automotive news about exciting new vehicles and forward-thinking concept cars.
It might surprise you to learn that even in a downturned economy the NY Auto Show will play host to dozens of new model unveilings, many of which we have already brought you news on - plus a select few that are being kept under wraps until the covers come off on the show room floor.
In the first category, some of the most highly-anticipated include the 518hp Mercedes-Benz E63 and 555hp BMW X5 M and X6 M, as well as the GMC Terrain, Yukon Denali Hybrid and the 2010 Subaru Legacy.
In the later category are the Nissan 370Z Roadster and 370Z NISMO edition, as well as a sporty four-door luxury coupe from Acura, dubbed the ZDX.
And don't forget the concept cars, like the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype, Hyundai Nuvis and the Scion concept based on the Toyota iQ micro-car.
AutoGuide brings you live coverage from the auto show floor with all the details and photos of every unveiling starting April 8th.
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