2010 Honda Insight EX - Overview

A wide range of extras for driver and passengers

The Insight EX offers a range of extras that enhance performance, utility and appearance. Premium features include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and cruise control. Driver and passengers alike will appreciate the 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters) and USB audio* interface. Inside, the Insight EX includes a center console with armrest and storage compartment, seat back pockets, map and glove compartment lights and driver- and passenger-side vanity mirrors for extra utility, while outside it offers turn signal-equipped door mirrors with heating and defrost and variable intermittent wipers for extra convenience in rough weather. 15-inch alloy wheels nicely complement the new Insight’s sporty look. For precise guidance on the roads, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® is also available.

• Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)
• Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition
• Available (with navigation) Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• Cruise control
• 6 speakers (2 tweeters added)
• USB audio interface
• Center console with armrest and storage compartment
• Seat back pockets
• Map lights
• Glove compartment lights
• Driver- and passenger-side vanity mirrors
• Turn signal-integrated side mirrors with heat and defrost
• Variable intermittent wipers
• 15-inch alloy wheels

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™

The Insight EX is available with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with a 6.5-inch touch screen display. The voice recognition system is capable of recognizing and inputting numbers, street names and cities, in addition to more than 600 standard commands. Turn-by-turn voice guidance is user selectable in either male or female voice and can be turned off at any time. Destination memory recalls current trip addresses and previous destinations. A calendar and calculator with imperial-to-metric converter are standard. The navigation system can be controlled by the driver through the voice recognition system, the touch screen display, or the joystick on the instrument panel.

Steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters deliver direct, seven-speed access to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) for quick, precise, racing-inspired shifting control. The two paddles are located on the right and left of the steering wheel and allow the driver to shift up or down for added control. The transmission provides two shifting patterns: Drive and Sport. When the Insight’s main shifter is in normal Drive mode (D), the left paddle shifter can be used to downshift. The transmission reverts to fully automatic mode whenever it senses the driver has returned to cruising. An indicator in the tachometer informs the driver what gear the vehicle is in and blinks when downshifting is not possible. Sport mode (S) gives the driver complete command, remaining in the selected gear until the driver elects to change it manually, for maximum control during spirited driving.

Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)

Available on the Insight EX, the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) is an electronic stability control system that works together with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS) to enhance vehicle controllability in oversteer or understeer situations. VSA® applies finely modulated brake force to one or more wheels independently to help the driver keep the vehicle on the intended travel path. Drive-by-Wire™ (DBW) is also called upon to control the throttle and regulate engine torque if needed.

Oversteer mitigation

Should sudden steering or throttle input induce the rear wheels to slip toward the outside of the curve in an oversteer situation, the system applies braking force to the outside front and rear wheels to counteract this unwanted yaw motion and restore vehicle stability.

Understeer mitigation

Should the front wheels begin to slide toward the outside of the turn in an understeer situation, engine torque is decreased and braking force is applied to the inside rear wheel to help keep the vehicle on the intended travel path.

Launch/traction mitigation

When on road surfaces with different left/right grip level, engine torque is decreased and braking force applied to the wheel on the surface with the lower grip to help prevent wheel spin, increasing acceleration off the line or traction on an upward slope. If during startup one of the drive wheels starts to lose traction, the system regulates engine torque and provides optimal brake force distribution to control wheel spin. The system optimizes brake force distribution to all four wheels for improved stability under braking, even on road surfaces with different left/right grip level.

Brake Control

The system optimizes brake force distribution to all four wheels for improved stability under braking even on road surfaces with different left/right grip level.

Center console with armrest and storage compartment

The center console of the Insight EX features an armrest for extra comfort, USB connectivity for an iPod and a storage compartment for CDs, DVDs and other items. A band under the armrest cover holds sunglasses or other small items.

15-inch alloy wheels

The premium 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels of the Insight EX have a sporty, aggressive-looking seven-spoke design that gives a feeling of extra size. Sharp lines add a feeling of momentum, while the deeply carved concave surfaces provide a striking machined look and contribute to weight reduction.

* The USB audio interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA®, or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.

** iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPod not included.