Honda Insight Hybrid: The Least-Wanted Car In America?Honda Insight Hybrid: The Least-Wanted Car In America?

Automakers and their dealers know that when a vehicle is updated, redesigned, or discontinued, the last lagging examples of the old model may sit on lots for months, perhaps even years.
So it appears to be with the Honda Insight, the subcompact mild hybrid hatchback that the company discontinued after the 2014 model year.
DON’T MISS: Honda Ends 3 Green Models For 2015: Insight, Fit EV, FCX Clarity
As carmakers start to launch their 2016 models, there appears to be more of the little Insights left on dealer lots–as measured by its sales rate–than any other model sold in the U.S.
That’s the conclusion of USA Today, which rated it first on a list of “10 cars Americans don’t want to buy.”
2014 Honda Insight
According to its analysis, the average Honda Insight took more than six months to sell–171 days versus an industry-wide average of 71 days for all models.
Fewer than 4,000 Insights were sold in 2014, and with sales of about 20,000 in its best year, Honda’s dedicated hybrid never came remotely close to the company’s high hopes for its sales.
ALSO SEE: Honda Insight Hybrid Production To End (Feb 2014)
Launched at roughly the same time as the 2010 Toyota Prius, the Insight was smaller, less powerful, and had lower EPA gas-mileage ratings.
At a few thousand dollars cheaper than the Prius, the Insight was touted as the least-expensive hybrid on the market.
2014 Honda Insight
But its Integrated Motor Assist mild-hybrid system couldn’t propel the Insight away from a stop on gasoline alone, unlike the Prius–which outsold it handily even in the Honda’s best year. 
Once Toyota launched its 2012 Prius C subcompact hatchback, the fate of the Insight was pretty much sealed.
MORE: Honda To Offer New Electric Car, Plug-In Hybrid Model By 2018
The littlest Prius offered a full-depth load bay, all-electric running, and a 50-mpg combined EPA rating that beat the Insight’s 42 mpg combined.
There will likely be straggler Insights on Honda lots for at least a few months to come.
2014 Honda Insight
As the 2016 model year advances, dealers may be increasingly willing to offer discounts to make them go away.
So if you’ve ever wanted a new Honda Insight, there’s likely no better time to buy one than now.
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