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The new, 2010 Honda Insight is a considerably bigger and better hybrid vehicle than the first- generation Insight. It now has four doors and there’s seating for five in a practical hatchback design that also offers a good amount of cargo space.

Insight was actually the first production hybrid sold in Canada, when released for the 2000 model year.

That Insight was a small, bullet-shaped little vehicle. While it claimed a loyal following, its two-seat configuration had limited appeal and it was pulled from the Honda lineup in 2006.

Only two dedicated (not sold with an alternative powertrain) hybrid vehicles are sold in Canada. The new Insight gives hybrid buyers the first really competitive alternative to the Toyota Prius. It’s a little smaller, less expensive and also offers owners phenomenal fuel economy.

The 2010 Insight comes in two trim levels at a start price of $23,900 for the LX. The top-line EX is $27,500, which (by coincidence) is the same price as the base Prius.

Additional features with the EX trim include electronic-stability and traction-control systems, a navigation system (an extra on Prius), steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a 160-watt audio system upgrade plus alloy wheels.

Honda’s approach to hybrid technology differs from that of Toyota, giving cost, simplicity and reliability high priorities. Called Integrated Motor Assist, its hybrid-drive system is compact and lightweight. The electric motor kicks-in to provide extra power when the small gasoline engine needs help.

The electric motor is an ultra-thin, brushless motor that’s sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. If needed, it produces the equivalent of a quick 13-horsepower power boost to aid the 1.3-litre gasoline engine.

There’s a new feature in this latest (fifth generation) version of the IMA system that actually allows the electric motor to propel the Insight when conditions are right. It only happens when Insight is driven on a flat surface at a steady speed of about 45 kilometres per hour.

A new nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) battery that’s 28-per-cent lighter and 19-per-cent smaller is located below the rear cargo floor. The life-expectancy of this hybrid battery is estimated to be at least 15 years, or 240,000 km, according to the Honda engineering people.

The Looks

The general wedge-like shape is similar to Prius, but the Insight is a tad smaller in most outside dimensions and it’s a lighter vehicle. In the tightly contested fuel-economy race, weight and excellent aerodynamics are very important allies.

Honda uses a very rigid yet light structure it calls Advanced Compatibility Engineering that involves the use of high-tensile steel and other light materials. Insight’s wind-cheating styling features include a slightly tapered tail-end and a flat under-body.

Up front it has slim projector-beam halogen headlights and light-emitting-diode brake lights in the rear. The rear hatch has both an upper and lower glass window with a dividing crossbar that detracts from the driver’s rear vision.

The upper window is closer to horizontal than vertical and a much-needed electric wiper is provided.

The Inside

By shrinking the main electrical parts of the hybrid system, Honda was able to locate them under the rear cargo area and provide additional passenger space. It’s classified as a compact car, has 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and a surprisingly spacious (2,407-litre) cabin.

A two-tier instrument panel that’s similar to the current Civic includes additional hybrid-system performance indicators that help the driver achieve optimal fuel efficiency and performance.

There’s no shortage of modern amenities including power windows, mirrors and door locks, a standard automatic climate control and a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 auxiliary jack.

Insight also comes with a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, plus the driver’s seat height is adjustable, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. A maintenance-minder system also keeps the driver informed of any maintenance needed.

Safety

Conventional design structures typically direct frontal-crash energy to the lower load-bearing members, but the ACE body also actively channels frontal-crash energy through the upper structural A-pillars. Involving more of the body structure helps route these forces around and away from the passenger compartment.

Another feature of ACE is its pedestrian-injury mitigation design. An energy-absorbing hood and other features can dramatically reduce the level of injury to a pedestrian in a collision with an Insight.

The Drive

Insight provides the driver with two modes of operation. You can choose to drive in a standard mode or in an Econ mode by pressing a big green button.

In the green mode it uses performance indicators to engage and teach fuel-efficient driving habits.

Just left of the steering wheel, the Econ button changes the behaviour of the engine, the CVT transmission, the regenerative-braking system, air conditioning and cruise-control systems.

Colour-changing dials and graphic displays also give immediate feedback on fuel-efficiency.

On a recent drive in the Victoria area, I averaged 5.1 litres/100 km. My best single-section fuel reading was 4.1 litres/100 km, and after driving it closer to home for a week — mostly short distances and with different passenger and cargo loads — I still averaged 5.5 litres/100 km.

How, where and when you drive an ultra fuel-efficient car like the Insight can significantly change the fuel-economy results.

You also will become a more fuel-conscious driver and achieve even better fuel-economy numbers than I did.

Insight makes it very easy to achieve outstanding fuel economy and still have a practical vehicle that’s good for everyday use.

The Score

The new Honda Insight offers amazing value in addition to fantastic fuel efficiency in a practical design.

2010 Honda Insight Specs

Trim levels: LX and EX.

Sticker Price: $23,900 to $27,500

Power: 1.3-litre I4/98-h.p. plus electric assist.

Transmission: Continuously variable (CVT/automatic).

Fuel Consumption: 4.8/4.5 L/100 km (city/highway).

Basic Warranty: Three years / 60,000 km.

Powertrain Warranty: Five years / 100,000 km.

Corrosion Warranty: Five years / unlimited km.

THE COMPETITON

Toyota Prius: $27,500.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI: $24,475 – $32,275.

Source:kelowna

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