The other odd feature in this EX Insight was the paddle shifters on the steering column. Normally, paddle shifters are used on performance cars to enhance performance, but on a 1.3 litre engine that uses a CVT transmission---you’ve got to wonder!! I did try it out and the rpm did change so there is something electronic that makes the CVT respond. The electronics do not let the transmission stay at the speed I chose, but after a few minutes let the transmission “shift” back up to keep engine speed to a minimum.

In town, the Insight was pretty much the same as any other car. In traffic the regenerative braking took a bit of getting used to as I tended to stop about a meter sooner than I thought I was going to. Lane changes were easy with the large glass area and decent sized mirrors. Rearward visibility, once you got used to the “split rear window” was very good.

The regenerative braking took a bit of getting used to as I tended to stop about a meter sooner than I thought.

If I had to go out on the highway, I could maintain any speed I wanted to travel at, but with my foot firmly on the floor and the CVT transmission keeping the motor near red line, passing or even getting up to highway speed was a bit lethargic. If this is the car of the future, we need longer merge lanes!!

Getting around corners in the Insight was just like any other normal car. The extra mass of the batteries is down low enough and the weight distributed evenly enough that body lean is minimal. The extra battery mass probably causes the nose to push out sooner than on a regular car, but I couldn’t tell on our streets.

As a daily driver, the Insight takes getting used to, but the reward is a noticeably smaller fuel bill both in town and on the highway.




Photo Credit : Charles Renny