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Honda Insight

Does raft of changes make hybrid a true rival to the Prius?

Honda Insight

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson

November 2010

Thanks to a little Insight from customers, Honda has been hard at work tweaking its Toyota Prius-rivalling hybrid! Buyers criticised the ride and poor cabin quality – but with these issues addressed, can the car begin to shine?

The interior certainly looks better. On our Insight, it was finished in black, with chrome surrounds on the air vents and silver inserts in the door trims. Quality is noticeably improved, although some plastics still feel slightly scratchy and cheap. 

As far as the ride is concerned, things have really improved. It’s still not perfect, but where the old model crashed over potholes, the updated car is far more adept at dealing with them. The softly sprung set-up doesn’t lend itself well to cornering, though, with the Insight leaning into bends. This was also a feature on the previous incarnation.

A few other niggles have been carried over, too. The CVT automatic transmission keeps the engine spinning at high revs when you floor the throttle, which really dents the otherwise good refinement. The speedometer is still inconveniently placed, with the top of the steering wheel often obscuring the readout. 

Strong

No changes have been made to the powertrain, so you’ll find the same 88bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine mated to a 13bhp electric motor. That means 0-62mph still takes 12.5 seconds, and the top speed is 113mph. With strong low-down torque from the electric motor, the car feels quite sprightly around town. 

Our experience of running a long-term Insight is that you’ll struggle to get anywhere near Honda’s claimed economy figure of 61.4mpg; expect to achieve 40-50mpg in regular driving. 

The big problem is that the car still emits more than 100g/km – its 105g/km output means buyers have to pay £20 a year in road tax, unlike the Prius. Plus, from 4 January, they will also have to stump up for London’s Congestion Charge.

For many customers, that was a major reason for purchase. 

The £16,325 starting price helps to compensate – it makes the Insight the cheapest hybrid on sale, at least until the petrol-electric Honda Jazz arrives in 2011. And our £17,905 mid-spec ES isn’t short on kit, with alloys, climate control and a USB connection all standard. Buyers can also opt for the new flagship EX, which has sat-nav and leather.

Rival: Toyota Prius
While the Prius is considerably more expensive than the Insight, it’s more advanced, offers much improved fuel economy and is exempt from road tax and Congestion Charge, thanks to its 89g/km CO2 emissions. For the time being, the Toyota is still the king of the hybrids.

For an alternative review of the latest Honda Insight visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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3 Comments

no change
why cannot honda make a car like the FCX clarity.
ok so we don't have hydrogen filling stations but we have LPG stations dotted around the country.
make a car like that
that will make the prius look crap

By lucasworld on 18 November, 2010, 1:39am

Same Old

Cant Honda figure the reason I did not want one was that on the test drive the computer told me that at 70mph my average fuel consumption was no where like what they had said ! There is only one reason to buy this car and it is hugely flawed, we are all far better off with one of the new style diesels and the high MPG they offer.

By shondo on 18 November, 2010, 9:06am

Same Old Same

I have been running an Insight for 2500mls now and with very gingerly driving style. We have the Eco button on all the time and are getting enough “tree icons” to start a paper mill! With all this the on board computer is returning 48 mpg and getting and actual of 52 mpg.
Have you any other suggestions please? Because if this is all we get, I am afraid it must be a clear case of misrepresentation on Honda's part.

By guyrws on 24 February, 2011, 11:35am

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FIRST OPINION

    With Honda taking on board customer feedback, the Insight has a more comfortable ride and a classier feel to its interior. Yet it’s still not perfect – the limited refinement under heavy throttle inputs and poor body control, which hampers agility, hold it back. While the price – which undercuts the Toyota Prius by £3,940 – should make it a very attractive family car, the fact it’s not exempt from road tax or, from January, the Congestion Charge, makes the Insight’s case weaker still.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £17,905
    Engine: 1.3-litre 4cyl/electric motor
    Power: 101bhp (combined)
    Transmission: Continuously variable auto, front-wheel drive
    Torque: 167Nm
    0-62mph: 12.5 seconds
    Top speed: 113mph
    Economy: 61.4mpg
    CO2: 105g/km
    Equipment: Driver and passenger airbags, electric windows, air-con, stability control, alloy wheels,  climate control, USB connection
    On sale: Now
     
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