55 mpg Honda Insight on Sale Now

It looks like it will take some market share from the Prius hybrid.

 

It’s sharp my hometown (central Illinois) Honda dealer had one on the lot but the Clarity is a much better buy if you are a resident of Texas ($7500 federal tax credit plus $2500 TCEQ grant)

 

I second that

 

For many who do not have access to home chargers, the Insight might be the better choice. It is about the same size as a Civic (a wee bit larger even), which is not a small car. Road tests have already shown that it is much faster and better handling than the Prius, Ionic, and Niro. It is a larger car than those others and the mileage is as good or just a bit less. Because all trims include Honda Sensing, it is a better value than those as well. I think the styling is more sophisticated than the Accord and Civic so Honda has hit a home run. Too bad it won't sell as well as it deserves with people preferring poor handling, gas guzzling SUVs and trucks.

 

When I went to purchase my Clarity plug in I saw they had the insight in stock. I checked it out and it is not in the same class as the Clarity. The interior quality is not much nicer than a Civic. The car sits much lower and the quality of the materials is more of a economy car. Considering the offset of the rebates I would never consider the Insight.

For those hoping for plug in version, the hybrid system in the Insight is not designed for it. The extra weight would require a suspension change and the electric motor would need to be changed to a unit that can run adequately on its own.

 

Stupid question. I will be getting my Clarity soon but by looking at the legroom measurements of the Civic and Insight seem to have more legroom? Is that true? It seemed like the Clarity had more in the brief test drive I had a while ago. Has anyone tried both?

 

I got into both, the insight does not feel like it has more legroom. I’m 6’3 and I preferred the sitting height and position of the Clarity.

 

You can't compare by just the numbers. It doesn't tell you the angle at which the legs and torso will be at, which is also dependent on the seat height.

Sitting in the back of the Civic (not Insight) briefly, I thought it was okay, but typical for the class. The Clarity is like a Camry sized rear seat, so it's a class size bigger.

 

The Insight may be a very good car for a good price. But I feel we've moved on. After two Hybrids we now have a great PHEV. Buying any Hybrid would be a big step backward.

 

“Considering the offset of the rebates I would never consider the Insight.”

Important point, for sure. OTOH, one has to have an income situation in which one owes $7,500 in taxes to get the full federal credit! That might not apply — or, it can be a juggling act in looking at capital gains, ordinary income, etc. to make sure one's taxable income is just right —that's a headache and hassle.

Plus, if one goes Clarity, one has to get a plug in charging system set up — there's lots of money and time involved.and the hassle of getting someone qualified in and possible taxing an older electrical system!

And, one has to plug in regularly.

Hybrids are far less hassle!

 

Not a given in all situations that a charging system has to be set up. Many of us have realized, at least until we get a second corded vehicle, our charging needs are met with a 110V outlet already present at our residences. Plugging in nightly is a 30-second task.

 

Honda Clarity EV only 88 miles, piece of junk.

 

Most posters on here don't always 'clarify' that when we say 'Clarity' we are meaning Clarity PHEV, not the Clarity EV, which isn't a piece of junk, just a lower-volume compliance car for regions requiring its availability.

 

Piece of junk for a 88 miles BEV? Last I check car with that spec still selling at couple thousands at least.... Damn you must be rich

 

“Many of us... our charging needs are met with a 110V outlet already present at our residences. Plugging in nightly is a 30-second task.”

Good point. Yet, I'm among the many who have a one-car garage, with a two-prong, non-grounded 110-volt outlet in an out-of-the-way place, and would need a new outlet, even a charging station.

Plus, being so used to regular old cars, I can just see getting into the Clarity and trying to drive off when it is still plugged into the wall!

 

No need to worry that: you can't start the car with plug attached.

 

I think the new Insight looks great (based on videos and pictures). If they would have done it with a PHEV option, I would have waited for it and bought the Insight. I love my Clarity, but I didn't really need the larger car (I'm a single guy) and if I hadn't decided that I wanted a PHEV I'd have likely waited and bought an Insight over my next choice among the regular hybrids (the Hyundai Ioniq). I'm going to have to take a trip today to a Honda dealer to check it out in person (assuming they have any on the lot) and I may even test drive one to see if it stacks up when driving, and if so, when friends ask for my recommendations it may be one of the first I recommend (I don't know why since it was over 20 years ago, but since I was once a car salesman, friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances always want to know my recommendations when they are in the market for a car).

 

If they were to release a plug-in Insight, especially in hatchback, I'd consider trading in my Clarity. Speaking of which, something I've been wondering. If you were to trade-in a Clarity after a year, how would that work w/r/t the credits? I'm getting $9,200 between federal and state; my net net OTD price inclusive of everything was about $26k for a Touring. I don't know how'd they look at it, but if it were lightly used I wouldn't be surprised if they offered me as much as I actually paid for it.

I don't know, I've never traded in a car before, but with $9,200 of credits it seems like there's some arbitrage room there that you might be able to 'refresh' your car after a year for nothing, or nothing except repaying tax and title, etc.