http://priuschat.com/forums/ Come on in and discuss the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Insight! en Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:50:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://priuschat.com/forums/images/silk/misc/rss.jpg http://priuschat.com/forums/ http://priuschat.com/forums/honda-hybrids/90436-mini-mini-review-after-driving-insight-couple-miles.html Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:28:31 GMT My dealer was kind enough to have a new owner's workshop. After it, I saw my salesguy and asked for a test drive of the 2011 Insight, so he handed me the key for a solo spin. How cool is that? I told him I had no intention to buy, only to compare to Prius. He said, you won't like this car, and that he hates his wife's Prius. Anyrate, whateva.

Insight uses a standard key in ignition, turn it, start the engine. Gear shift lever is mechanical like a Civic. Seats were pretty good and good headroom. The dash displays and gages are very colorful and attractive.

I didn't notice the A/C system was running, but it was on a bit. First thing I noticed is there is a little bit of jerkiness in the driveline when I first got going in the parking lot. It's very subtle, but you can feel it. I went a half to 3/4 miles down the road, came to stop light and the engine kept running constantly. I figured it was warmig up, but A/C was on and that may have kept ICE going.

When making the turn, I noticed it felt pretty good like a pretty well built car. I pulled into a lot and the engine was still running, probably had it fired up for 4 minutes total. I hit the A/C button and gage said A/C off.

Making a right turn from a stop, it seemed like the pickup was pretty good. I sensed that it had a little more peppiness than my 09 Prius and the 3rd Gen also. But, there is still that slight bit of jerkiness as you let off the brake and get going. It doesn't buck, it's just a very slight jerkiness, not the super smooth acceleration of Prius.

As I stopped at the light at dealership, voila, the engine stopped which was very nice. Soon as you let foot off gas, engine comes on again. In the lot at 5 mph, I took my foot off gas, the engine sound stopped and it continued to roll forward. I had to back in, so soon as I put it in reverse, the engine came on again. So, it seems like you would get the engine cycling on and off a lot more in situations where you only need to creep forward or back.

So, the Prius full hybrid system seems quite a bit more elegant since it can propel at low speeds on battery alone.

But, the Insight is not so bad from my limited experience. I think one could enjoy it and certainly enjoy the 43 MPG. But, is it nearly as robust as a 3rd gen Prius? Not even close.

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Just thought I'd sneak a little something in here -

http://hondajet.honda.com/news/landing.aspx?0 ]]> Honda Hybrids cycledrum http://priuschat.com/forums/honda-hybrids/90436-mini-mini-review-after-driving-insight-couple-miles.html