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Magazine says hybrid is the most disappointing Honda it has tested "in a long time."


By Scott Doggett, Contributor


The new Honda Insight posted a lackluster "Good" overall road-test score in Consumer Reports' testing for the August issue, and fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat access and visibility.


"The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version."


About the only thing CR seemed impressed with was the vehicle's fuel efficiency. The Insight achieved an excellent 38 miles per gallon overall in CR's fuel-economy tests.


In a ratings chart of small hatchbacks and wagons, the Insight was rated 21st out of 22 vehicles, with a road test score of 54 points. It was followed by the Dodge Caliber, which scored 49.


All vehicles in the test group are Recommended by Consumer Reports except for the Insight.


CR only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than 7 million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.


Full tests and ratings of the test group appear in the August issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale June 30.
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Tags: Emissions, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrid, Opinion, Toyota, 2010 Honda Insight, Consumer Reports, Hybrid, Inside Line, Toyota Prius

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Consumer Reports Rips Honda Insight for Ride Quality, Handling, Acceleration, Etc. was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.