The New Honda Insight to Go On Sale in Japan Friday

The 2009 Honda Insight




Tomorrow, Friday, February 6th is the big day for Honda's new Hybrid, the Insight as it makes it debut in Japan. The new car is expected to start at ¥1,890,000 (~US$21,100) which will make it the lowest cost hybrid on the market. Finally, there is a competitor to the popular hybrid king, the Toyota Prius. I have always wondered why no other automaker bothered to challenge the Prius, since it has been so successful. Could that be one reason the Detroit 3 are in such dire straights, because they refused to offer a hybrid like the Prius?

Fuel efficiencies are somewhat confusing as the Japanese rate their vehicles differently than in the US. For example, the Insight hybrid is rated as delivering 26 km/L (61 mpg US, 3.8 L/100km) in JC08 mode and 30 km/L (70.6 mpg US, 3.3 L/100km) in 10•15 mode. In the US, the Insight offers an estimated EPA combined fuel-economy rating of 41 mpg US (17.4 km/L, 5.7 L/100km). Apparently, in the US, we only have one mode. 41 mpg is not quite as high as the Prius, but certainly close enough. The value of these cars is in their high city mileages. Driving around town, the engine can shut off when idle and the battery pack can help with the low speed propulsion. Virtually all four-door sedans in the US achieve less than 25 mpg in the city, which is simply not good enough.

At an MSRP five to six grand less than the Prius, look for the Honda Insight to take off in sales. Honda is known for producing quality vehicles and I expect this one will be no exception.