The Consumer Reports review news is starting to appear in other articles:
Consumer Reports Faults Honda Insight for Its Ride, Handling, Noise, and Rear Seat
CR's engineers say Insight's 38 mpg overall fuel economy is one of its few highs
YONKERS, N.Y., June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new Honda Insight posted a lackluster "Good" overall road-test score in Consumer Reports' testing for the August issue. The Insight achieved an excellent 38 mpg overall in CR's tests but fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access and visibility.
"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."
In a ratings chart of small hatchbacks and wagons, the Insight was rated 21st out of 22 vehicles, with a road test score of 54 points. It was followed by the Dodge Caliber, which scored 49.
(....and later in the article....)
The Honda Insight seats five and gets excellent fuel economy, but it's a noisy car with a stiff ride and clumsy handling. At its cornering limits, the Insight plows straight ahead early on in tight turns and the tail can slide out too quickly for stability control to completely prevent it. The Insight EX, ($21,790 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested), is powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a 13-hp electric motor combine for 98 hp that delivers 38 mpg overall. The continuously variable transmission performs smoothly. Unlike a full hybrid, the Insight requires the gas engine to turn whenever the car is moving. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space behind the rear seats is adequate.
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CNNmoney.com also picks up the news with an online piece:
Consumer Reports knocks Honda's new hybrid - Jun. 29, 2009
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Honda's new hybrid-only Insight, touted as a low-cost competitor to the Toyota Prius was dealt a major blow Monday after it failed to get a thumbs up from the influential magazine Consumer Reports.
"The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," said David Champion, director of the magazine's auto test center.
(later in the article...)
Honda defended its car's performance. "Initial feedback from most customers and automotive media regarding the all-new Honda Insight has been very positive," according to Honda spokesman Chris Naughton. "In fact, the Insight has won several hybrid comparison tests completed independently by automotive media outlets," Naughton said.
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Something just doesn't seem "right" about this. The CNN piece states: "The Prius was redesigned for the 2010 model year and has, again, earned Consumer Reports recommendation."
As far as I know, the 2010 Prius has NOT been reviewed or tested by CR.
