2010 Honda Insight
Prices: $19,800 to $23,100

PHOENIX, Ariz - Honda introduced the first gasoline/electric hybrid car--the small, two-seat Insight--in late 1999 in this country when most Americans didn't know what a hybrid was. But that car soon was overtaken by the larger 2001 Toyota Prius hybrid hatchback sedan.

Hollywood's generally car-dumb celebrities who once drove gas-guzzling Hummers eventually wanted to be photographed driving a Prius because it was fashionable to do so, giving the movie industry, and Toyota, scads of free publicity.

Honda's new gas/electric hybrid also carries the Insight name, but it's a hatchback sedan that looks remarkably like the new 2010 Prius--although the styling similarity is accidental The Insight doesn't share its body with any other Honda model.

Honda has sold its excellent Civic hybrid sedan since 2003, but that model never really caught on partly because it doesn't look like a hybrid. Rather, it has the regular Civic's body. And part of the allure of a hybrid auto for many is a "hybrid look"

The front-drive Insight goes on sale in April as an early 2010 model. I drove it at Honda's media preview near Phoenix, Ariz. The base Insight LX version costs $19,800, the mid-range EX is $21,300 and the EX with a navigation system lists at $23,100.

Honda calls the Insight a five-seater, but only four tall adults comfortably fit because of the shape of the rear seat.

There are a base Insight LX and higher-line EX version. American Honda Motor product planner Dave Terebessy said the Insight is directed at "those under 35 and over 65--people most concerned about fuel economy."

Honda expects to sell about 190,000 Insights in 2009, with approximately half coming to North America. Hybrid sales have fallen since gas prices dropped below the $4-a-gallon range last summer, but American Honda car product planning manager William Walton expects hybrid sales to triple by 2013, partly because few expect gas prices to remain as low as they did after falling in late 2008. And upcoming stricter government emissions standards will force production of more fuel-efficient cars.

The nicely built 2,723-2,727-pound Insight is fairly well-equipped. Standard in the futuristic-looking interior with its two-tier instrument panel are automatic climate control, AM/FM/CD four-speaker audio system with MP3/auxiliary input jack, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and power windows, mirrors and door locks. A window wiper-washer serves the large rear hatch.

Added to the EX are cruise control, two additional audio system speakers, alloy wheels and--importantly--a stability control system with traction control. There's also an optional navigation system.

The EX also has a center console with armrest and storage compartment, variable intermittent wipers, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and heated side mirrors with turn signals.

Some of those items should be on the LX, but Honda wants to hold down the base version's price.

Flush outside door handles are easily grasped, but inside handles look cheap. Rear visibility is only fair, cupholders at the back of the front console near the floor can be a stretch and narrow rear door openings hinder entry and exit.

However, firm front seats are supportive, major controls are easily reached and doors have storage pockets. Both trim levels have 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks that sit flat when flipped forward to increase the moderate-sized cargo area.

Safety items include front-side and front-rear side curtain air bags.

The Insight has a sophisticated 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine and high-torque ultra-thin 10-kilowatt electric motor. Their combined output is 98 horsepower, and they form the foundation of the hybrid power system, which has seamless operation.

The Insight is no fireball, but acceleration is lively both in town and on highways. The car can run solely on electric power on a flat surface at a steady speed in the low 30-mph range. A Power Flow indicator on the dashboard shows when only the battery is providing power.

The hybrid system's power is transmitted through a smooth, fuel-saving continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Economy is an estimated 40 mpg in the city and 43 on highways, using regular-grade fuel in a 10.6-gallon tank. Combined city/highway economy is 41 mpg.

An "Econ" button near the steering wheel has a range of functions said to increase fuel economy by doing such things as engaging the idle-stop feature sooner, operating air conditioning more in recirculation mode and limiting power and torque by about 4 percent, with full responsiveness provided at full throttle.

Pushing that button should improve fuel economy slightly, but Honda spokeman Chuck Schifsky said the automaker gives no fuel economy gain figures if the button is pushed because the nature of the Insight hybrid powertrain is such that gains will vary with driving habits of different drivers of the car.

Actually, hybrid vehicle fuel economy figures are all over the ball park in real-world driving, depending on how such a car is driven, traffic conditions, etc. A professional Honda fuel-economy driver got nearly 70 mpg during a test drive at the preview. I got about 44 mpg driving much as I would in the Chicago area at the preview.

The test route involved mountain roads, busy expressways and rural flat two-lane roads near Phoenix.

The larger redesigned 2010 Prius gets an estimated 51 mpg in the city and 48 on highways with regular-grade fuel. 

For the most part, the Insight behaves like a solid economy car. It's comfortable and quiet, except for some tire noise on rough secondary roads. And it's fun to drive because it is fairly light with a compact body and agile handling. Honda has a way of giving a car a nice "European feel," which isn't true of some Asian automakers.

The electric power steering is quick, and a low height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components below the cargo area help make the Insight easy to maneuver in traffic and tight spots. The supple suspension absorbs most road imperfections without jarring occupants, although the ride occasionally becomes jumpy.

The brake pedal has a linear action that helps assure smooth stops, and the anti-lock brakes have an electronic brake distribution system to enhance stopping performance.

The Prius has had a head start, but the Insight promises to give it a good fight. Look for Hollywood celebrities to be seen in Insights because it's the newest hybrid auto attraction in town.