Consumer Reports blasts Honda Insight, ranked 21 of 22 tested

Ouch! Although there have been nothing but glowing reviews for this car, Consumer Reports is a bible for some and I can't help but think that this will impact sales on the Insight. I for one am driving a Insight as a demo to get a proper feel for the car so that I can do justice in explaining its many features and I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as CReports says it is. Is it the perfect car for everyone? Of course not, but if you are looking for a fuel-miser that is dependable and are doing primarily city driving, this is a great choice. It pains me to post this, but I don't want to be seen as only posting the praise.
Calling it "the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," America's most influential product testing magazine has given extremely poor marks to the Japanese automaker's new Insight hybrid.

In a verdict that reminds us of a certain Jeremy Clarkson review (albeit more kindly worded), Consumer Reports blasted the gas-electric hatchback for its "ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, rear-seat, access, and visibility," consigning the hapless Honda to a 21 out of 22 ranking among other small hatchbacks and wagons. Tallying a road test score of 54 points, it was trailed only by the widely-panned Dodge Caliber, which managed just 49 points.

Despite the fact that it won't receive a much-coveted CR "Recommended" nod, the Insight still managed to post a "Good" overall road test score (largely on the strength of its 38 miles-per-gallon as-tested fuel economy). Regardless, it was comprehensively beaten by both the Volkswagen Jetta Wagon and the Hyundai Elantra Touring, which scored 80 and 79 points, respectively.

The Insight was the only vehicle in CR's test group to not to be Recommended, save Kia's Soul, which was excluded because the organization hasn't compiled any reliability data on the vehicle yet. Check out the press release after the jump.

Follow this link to get the press release;
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/06/30/i-consumer-reports-i-lambasts-honda-insight-ranks-it-21-out/

Again, OUCH!