I have long been a proponent of downsizing -- buying a smaller car than you think you need. Smaller cars are cheaper to buy and use less fuel, and most of us don't actually need as much space in our cars as we think we do. So when my wife Robin and I began to seriously think about replacing our aging mid-size Honda Accord wagon, I realized this would be an excellent opportunity to put my money where my mouth is. I contacted my friends at Honda and asked if we could borrow a 2010 Honda Insight hybrid -- not just for the usual week, but for a year.
Why a Honda Insight?
Granted, going from a mid-size car like an Accord to a subcompact like an Insight is a bit extreme -- but I figured if we were going to do this, we should do it all the way. And the Insight made sense: Its hatchback body style should, in theory, let us get the most from the car's small footprint, and the fact that it's a hybrid would let us do our part in reducing pollution and our nation's reliance on oil. And it's also a realistic choice -- the Insight's price tag ($20,510 for starters, $23,914 for the EX Navi model we'd be driving) puts it well inside our (theoretical) budget.
That said, we knew we'd be making some compromises by driving an Insight. We spend lots of time hauling cargo and kids -- the former including Robin's bulky massage table and the latter including our 13-year-old son Robert, who is 5'10" and growing rapidly. Neither would fit as easily into the Insight as the Accord. And Robin -- who would be doing the bulk of the driving -- likes to go fast. At 145 horsepower, our Accord isn't exactly a muscle car, but it sure seems like one compared to the 98 hp Insight.
"It's Up To You"
Robin and I discussed the pros and the cons, and in the end I left the decision up to her, since she'd be the one putting most of the miles on the Insight.
Her decision? "Let's go for it. If it goes badly, I can always start driving the wagon again."
And so we begin our twelve months with the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid. Among the things I hope to learn:
• Can a family of four make do with a small car? Especially onethis small?
• Are new Hondas as trouble-free as people say?
• Which will win the fuel-economy battle -- the Insight's frugal hybrid drivetrain or Robin's merciless lead foot?
And most importantly...
• Will Robin take to the shiny new Insight, or will she forsake it for her ratty old Accord?
I'll be bringing you monthly updates, along with periodic updates on the About.com Cars blog. Stay tuned!
Next: October 2009: The Insight goes to work
CONFIRMED FOR 2010: MARINER/MARINER HYBRID: The Mariner gets convex blind-spot mirrors integrated into its side view mirrors. Newly available features include a backup camera, MyKey programmable keys, a self-parking system, and an enhanced SYNC system that provides live traffic and turn-by-turn directions. MILAN: (photo) The Milan gets subtly updated styling, a new 2.5 liter base engine, and a revised 3.0 liter six. The new Milan Hybrid uses the same hybrid system as the Fusion Hybrid, complete with an Atkinson-cycle version of the 2.5 liter engine; EPA fuel economy estimates are an impressive 41 MPG city and 36 MPG highway. MOUNTAINEER:Trailer Sway Control is now standard and models with navigation get an improved system with Sirius Travel Link. The Mountaineer Premium model now includes a sunroof and premium audio system as standard.
SABLE: Discontinued.
BEYOND 2010: NEW SMALL CAR: Ford has talked about turning Mercury into a small-car division, which would explain why there's no Mercury version of the upcoming 2010 Taurus. When Ford released their future product plans last summer, they announced that Mercury would get a new small car. My guess would be that it will be based on the next-generation Ford Focus, due in 2010 as a 2011 model, although Ford could conceivably import a European model that isn't sold in America. No word on what the new car will be called... maybe Tracer? GRAND MARQUIS, MOUNTANEER: If Mercury is to become a purveyor of small cars, the big Grand Marquis sedan and Mountaineer SUV will have to go the way of the Sable -- Ford just hasn't said when
ES 350:(photo)The ES gets updated front and rear styling, new wheels, and a handful of new colors. Inside we find updated trim, a new instrument panel and a bunch of new features, including memory for the power seat, mirrors and steering wheel, rear seat side airbags, rain-sensing wipers, a larger center console storage bin, and an updated navigation system. The premium sound system now comes with an iPod-compatible USB port, and the cassette deck has finally been eliminated.
GS 350/GS 460: The GS loses its cassette deck, but gains active front headrests, an upgraded navigation system, an iPod-compatible USB port for the (optional) premium stereo, and a couple of new colors. GS 450h:The hybrid version of the GS gets a new grille and wheels, clear taillights, and an optional power-operated rear sunshade. HS 250h: (photo)Lexus is touting the 2010 HS 250 as the first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle. Although the HS 250h shares many mechanical bits with the also-new-for-2010 Prius, the HS features a unique sedan body in place of the Prius' wind-cheating hatchback shape, although the styling looks more like a Toyota than a Lexus. The HS 250h features a 2.4 liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that combines with the hybrid drive system to produce 187 horsepower. Techno-gadgets abound, including a windshield that reduces infrared rays, decreasing cabin temperature and the need to run the air conditioner, and an electric power steering system that helps keep the driver from allowing the car to drift out of its lane. The HS250h will also be the first vehicle to offer Lexus Enform, essentially Toyota/Lexus' version of GM's OnStar system.
IS 250/IS 350: The IS gets an upgraded navigation system with Lexus Enform and XM traffic, weather, sports and stock prices. The premium sound system now has an iPod-compatible USB port. IS250 AWD models with the Luxury Package get ventilated front seats lined in semi-aniline leather.
IS C: (photo) The hardtop convertible version of the IS makes its long-awaited debut this year. Like the sedan, the convertible is available with a choice of 2.5 or 3.5 liter V6 engines
IS F: The hot-rod IS gets the same electronics upgrades as the regular IS sedan, along with new wheels, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and foldable rear headrests. LS 460/LS 460L: (photo)The 2010 LS gets a mid-cycle refresh, with a new front fascia, taillights, side mirrors and wheels. The rear-drive LS 460 offers a new Sport Package which includes an "Aero" body kit, unique interior trim, and a sport-tuned air suspension. (The body kit is also available as a stand-alone option.) The LS' collision-avoidance system has been improved to detect pedestrians. It works in conjunction with the new Driver Monitor System, which monitors the position of the driver's head. If the system detects that the driver is not looking ahead and there is an object in the car's path, it first sounds an alarm, then applies the brakes and alters the steering ratio to help the driver swerve.
LS 600hL: The hybrid version of the LS gets styling updates similar to those of the LS 460, an updated navigation system, and a smaller traction battery pack, which frees up an extra two cubic feet of much-needed trunk space.
LX 570: Lexus' version of the Land Cruiser gets an improved display for the rear-seat entertainment system, updated navigation system, and an iPod-compatible USB port for the optional premium stereo. RX 350/RX 450h: (photo)Lexus' venerable RX crossover SUV is all-new for 2010. Improvements include updated styling, a new iDrive-like "Remote Touch" controller for stereo, climate and navigation systems, and, for the V6-powered RX 350, a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid returns in the form of the RX 450h, with an improved hybrid drive system that delivers more power and achieves better fuel economy than its predecessor, the RX 400h.
SC 430: The SC retractable hardtop soldiers on for another year, now with an updated navigation system and (optional) premium stereo, new wheels, two new colors, and puddle lamps mounted in the side-view mirrors.
BEYOND 2010:
LFA:(photo)Lexus' two-seat supercar features a 552 horsepower 4.8 liter V10 engine, lightweight carbon-fiber construction, and a price anticipated to be upwards of $350,000. Other features include a 6-speed automated sequential gearbox, carbon-fiber brakes, and a top speed of 2010 MPG. Lexus will hand-build just 500 LFAs over a 24-month period beginning in December 2010.
RUMORED:
IS F: A lightweight version of the IS-F sports sedan is rumored to be in the works. Along with a weight reduction of around 300 lbs, the car will feature an improved suspension and braking system, with the same 416 hp engine as the current IS F.
