Honda Insight

Developed to be attainable for Gen Y buyers, the 2010 Insight is a major piece in Honda's hybrid-portfolio plans.

Honda usually doesn't talk about future product. But for two and half years or so in advance, there had been much talk about its plans for a new low-cost, dedicated hybrid model, signifying the vehicle's importance to the Japanese automaker.

In March, the manifestation of all that talk-the five-door 2010 Insight compact sedan-went on sale to U.S. consumers with an MSRP of $19,800-nearly $4000 less than the 2009 Civic Hybrid and over $2000 less than the new 2010 Toyota Prius.