Jeremy Clarkson Hates the Honda Insight – it’s "Biblically Terrible"
Posted by: Tim Howard on 19 May 2009Filed under: Features, Green, Honda, Hybrids
It feels good when someone of “higher authority” confirms your deepest suspecions about the quality of a car. Top Gear’s foul-mouthed Jeremy Clarkson, in his latest review, called the Honda Insight biblically terrible. Although I don’t think Honda’s latest hybrid is terrible, I do think buyers will be better off with the slightly more expensive 2010 Toyota Prius.
I have not yet driven the 2010 Honda Insight, but from the many reviews I have read, I can make out that the car is less refined and harsher-riding than the Prius. And I don’t think the slight price advantage of Honda’s hybrid is enough to justify its unrefinement. Jeremy Clarkson communicates my opinion more elequently, albeit in a much harsher tone. You can read his full review by clicking here.
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“…the slightly more expensive 2010 Toyota Prius.”
Slightly ???
Don’t tell me you bought into the announced “$21,000″ model Prius? It doesn’t yet exist, and the New York Times said: “Good Luck Finding One” since they will probably have to be special-ordered due to their anticipated use in fleet sales. We don’t even know how stripped-down it will be! A 2010 Prius will cost many thousands of dollars more than the Insight!
Yes, I was thinking about the reduce-priced Prius. But regardless of whether the Prius is lightly more expensive or not, it is worth every penny. It seems all the Insight has to offer is fuel-savings and nothing more. The Prius offers that and more.
By the way, what are the important features you have to check before buying a car? My husband is planning to buy a Honda this year, what will you recommend? We will be under a credit auto loan. We don’t need luxury cars now just for family use.
“It seems all the Insight has to offer is fuel-savings and nothing more.”
I *STRONGLY* disagree! As to many reviewers – including the New York Times, who said:
“For $21,300, hybrid buyers can buy a relatively upscale Honda Insight EX, which comes with an upgraded audio system, paddle shifters, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and alloy wheels.”
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/a-prius-for-21000-good-luck-finding-one/
There are somethings that added features can’t change, such as ride quality, engine refinement, interior quality and so on. Sure the Honda is cheaper, but the Toyota is simply better in those areas. To me, the price advantage of the Insight is not worth its bare-bone refinement and driving characteristics.
This review from Edmund’s Insideline sums up my opinion of both cars pretty well:
http://www.autotribute.com/2009/04/2010-toyota-prius-vs-2010-honda-insight.html
Wedding Favors,
With cars, safety should always be a priority. Aside from the basics (i.e. good bumper and front airbags), ABS and traction control is a must nowadays. You can say the same about side airbags. If luxury is not an issue, then focus on the safety features.
As for which Honda vehicle you should buy, the Accord, Civic and Odyssey are all excellent choices, whether we’re talking about the current models or the prior models. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
this is really good car
I'm not entirely convinced by hybrid cars full stop. I tend to think that people buy them to effectively give themselves an environmental pat on the back.
By the way, what are the important features you have to check before buying a car? My husband is planning to buy a Honda this year, what will you recommend? We will be under a credit auto loan. We don't need luxury cars now just for family use.