Consumer Reports Faults Honda Insight for Its Ride, Handling, Noise, and Rear Seat

Consumer Reports Faults Honda Insight for Its Ride, Handling, Noise, and Rear
Seat

CR's engineers say Insight's 38 mpg overall fuel economy is one of its few
highs

YONKERS, N.Y., June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new Honda Insight posted
a lackluster "Good" overall road-test score in Consumer Reports' testing for
the August issue. The Insight achieved an excellent 38 mpg overall in CR's
tests but 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."
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.

Two new wagons, spin-offs of popular sedans -- the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
and Hyundai Elantra Touring scored within a point of each other and received
Very Good ratings, 80 and 79 respectively.

The Sportwagen, a new addition to the Jetta line, combines sound driving
dynamics and more cargo and versatility than the sedan. It also imparts the
feeling of a much more expensive vehicle. The Elantra Touring, also an
extension to its line, is an affordable and practical vehicle with good fuel
economy (26 mpg in CR's own fuel economy tests.)

Consumer Reports tested a total of six wagons and hatchbacks in the August
issue including the improved Chevrolet HHR and the Pontiac Vibe (the virtual
twin of the Toyota Matrix.) The Vibe will be discontinued this August given
GM's decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand. Both the Vibe and the HHR
received Very Good ratings. The test group also included the sporty Mazda3
hatchback, freshened with a new four-cylinder engine and new styling was also
rated Very Good.

Prices ranged from $19,085 for the Pontiac to $24,730 for the Chevy HHR. All
vehicles in the test proved to have average of better reliability in CR.

Consumer Reports also tested the Kia Soul. The Soul shares several of the same
attributes of the small, boxy Scion xB, and was also rated Very Good. This is
a new model so CR does not have any reliability data and cannot Recommend the
Soul.

All vehicles in the test group are Recommended by Consumer Reports except for
the Insight, which scored too low in CR's tests to be Recommended and the
Soul, which does not have any reliability data yet. 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 seven 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. The reports are also available
to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

The Honda Insight seats five and gets excellent fuel economy, but it's a noisy
car with a stiff ride and clumsy handling. At its cornering limits, the
Insight plows straight ahead early on in tight turns and the tail can slide
out too quickly for stability control to completely prevent it. The Insight
EX, ($21,790 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested), is powered by a
1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a 13-hp electric motor combine for 98 hp
that delivers 38 mpg overall. The continuously variable transmission performs
smoothly. Unlike a full hybrid, the Insight requires the gas engine to turn
whenever the car is moving. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space behind the rear
seats is adequate.

The wagon version of the Volkswagen Jetta combines good driving dynamics and
versatility with excellent fit and finish. The Jetta SE, ($24,324, MSRP as
tested), is powered by a 170-hp, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine that delivers
average performance but got only 23 mpg overall in CR's fuel economy tests.
The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and has a manual-override
feature. Braking is Very Good. The cargo area is very spacious and you can
fold down one or both sections of the rear seatbacks.

The Elantra Touring wagon is fairly roomy and versatile, with a nicely
finished interior and lots of amenities for the money. The Touring's ride is
noticeably stiffer than the sedan's ride, with some sharp impacts. The Elantra
Touring wagon, ($19,475, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 138-hp, 2.0-liter
four-cylinder engine that delivers average performance and a respectable
26-mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and
responsively. Braking is Excellent. Folding down the 60/40 seatback makes for
a fairly commodious load volume.

The Mazda3 has been one of CR's top-scoring small cars for several years,
distinguished by agile handling and a good-quality interior that is laid out
well. The Mazda3 had a firm, compliant ride that provided good isolation from
everyday road bumps. The Mazda3 s Sport, ($20,700, MSRP as tested), is powered
by a 167-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that feels smooth and refined and
delivers 25 mpg overall in mixed driving. The five-speed automatic
transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Braking is Very Good. Cargo space is
good behind the rear seats, and when the seatbacks are lowered the hatch
encloses a good-sized cargo area.

The Pontiac Vibe is versatile, fuel-efficient, and reasonably priced. The
Vibe's ride is compliant but not very steady and bumps create side-to-side
rocking and even the highway ride can feel choppy. The Pontiac Vibe 1.8L,
($19,085, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 132-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine
that provides good performance and 24 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic
transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The rear is quite
spacious. The cargo area is lined with hard plastic and small items slide
around on it.

The Chevrolet HHR plays to 1950s design nostalgia but one drawback to its
retro styling is the small and short windows, which inhibit the view out.
Bumps are absorbed quite well, but the deep ruts and ridges come through as
rubbery kicks. The Chevrolet HHR LT, ($24,730 MSRP), as tested is powered by a
172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that provides good performance and 24
mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is
Very Good. The seatbacks fold down for generous cargo space.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one
of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products
and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S.
publication or Web site; the magazine's auto experts have decades of
experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber,
consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine
can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

AUGUST 2009
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SOURCE Consumers Union

Douglas Love, +1-914-378-2437, dlove@consumer.org; or C. Matt Fields,
+1-914-378-2454, cfields@consumer.org; both of Consumer Reports