Toyota has been the leader in the hybrid market with their popular Prius vehicle but now there is a new player in town: the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid. The Insight is a sporty hatchback with five doors and gets a few styling cues from Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel cell auto and its rival the Toyota Prius. This sporty auto gets great mileage, its priced to sell fast plus it’s boasts a clean aerodynamic design. Hybrid cars are highly in demand due to their eco-friendliness and abilities to obtain excellent gas mileage. The 2010 Insight will go head to head with the popular Toyota Prius.

The traditional engine that runs the car is 1.3 Liter 4 cylinder engine which outputs a total of 88 HP and 88 lb feet of torque. The electric motor produces an additional 13HP and 58 lb feet of torque. This vehicle can travel up to speeds of thirty miles an hour on the electric motor alone. The vehicle switches seamlessly between electric and gasoline mode because the regular engine is constantly running. Gas mileage is around forty miles per gallon in the city and forty three miles per gallon on the freeway.

The two separate trims available for the Insight are the LX and EX. The LX version includes a 160 watt stereo system, eight cup holders and front side airbags with an occupant position detection system. The EX model includes a USB audio interface, a cruise control system, fifteen inch alloy wheels, vehicle stability assist with traction control, a pair of tweeters, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and an optional navigation system. A very cool feature is the Eco Assist which trains you to become a more efficient driver. The driver plays a big part in how fuel efficient a vehicle is and this system lets you know when you are doing well.

The interior is comfy and the car seats five people. Features designed to make you more comfortable include a telescopic steering wheel, an adjustable driver seat and an automatic climate control system. A maintenance minder system lets you know when the vehicle needs service performed. One great thing about this car is its big trunk space at 15.4 cubic feet.

The Insight was designed for maximum safety for the driver and occupants. Advanced features include an Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure which distributes energy during an impact more evenly and reduces the force transferred to the occupants. There is an Electronic Brake Distribution system which balances the braking pressure at each wheel and an Anti Lock Braking System helps to prevent wheel lockup.

There is a large demand by consumers for hybrid cars because they are environmentally conscious and save you lots of dough in terms of gas. The base model for the 2010 Honda Insight starts at $19,800 which is an excellent deal for a hybrid vehicle. It is priced lower than its main competitor the 2010 Prius which starts at $23,550. The entry level 2010 Prius II costs 3k more than the Insight LX model. If you are in the market for a hybrid vehicle, then take a closer look at the Honda Insight. It’s sometimes overlooked for the more popular Prius but the Insight offers a whole lot at a great price.

Author Bio: Written by Jacqueline Star: Used Cars Atlanta, Honda Atlanta, Used Cars Atlanta

Category: Automotive
Keywords: 2010 honda insight hybrid, honda insight hybrid, insight hybrid, honda hybrid, hybrids, cars, autos