Review
/5
- Pros:
- Quietness around town
- Low emissions
- Spaciousness
- Cons:
- Engine noise when you're in a hurry
- Road noise
- Hard plastic trim inside
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The hybrid Insight is technically advanced, but many modern diesel engines offer a more conventional, and just as economical, driving experience."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.3 IMA HE 5dr
£19,535 - The cheapest
- 1.3 IMA HE 5dr
£19,535 - The fastest
- 1.3 IMA HE 5dr
£19,535 - Top of the range
- 1.3 IMA HX 5dr
£22,535
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Honda first used the Insight name on a quirky looking, ultra fuel-efficient two-door coupe made from 1999-2006, but this model, launched in 2009, is a completely different car. It's now a practical five-door hatchback that's charged with bringing hybrid technology to the road at a more affordable price. It's practical and well built, but isn’t as technically advanced as some rivals – and Honda's efforts to cut costs have dented its fuel efficiency.
Drive
Most at home around town
Despite the 1.3-litre engine size, the Insight doesn't feel slow, because it also has an electric motor that assists the engine from a standstill. The gearbox is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which as its name suggests offers one single gear that continually adjusts to provide the optimum engine revs for performance and economy. This shiftless system is good for economy, but it causes the engine to whine noisily when you put your foot down. Ultimately the Insight is a great car for town use, but it's not the most stable car at motorway speeds, and refinement is poor.
Comfort
Noisy at speed. Lacks rear headroom
For the most part, the Insight's suspension soaks up lumps and bumps in the road. However, if you're on a long journey on the motorway, the increased wind and road noise will tire you out. The seats are comfortable enough and there's loads of leg and shoulder room, but rear headroom is spoilt by the sloping roofline. It's worth noting that the driving position is particularly low, so it's not as easy to get into as some taller cars.
Reliability
Safe and utterly reliable
Despite the expected complexity of the hybrid technology, it's a well-proven package - and Honda's reliability record is really impressive. The car has never had a recall notice issued against it – while the car scored a five-star result in the Euro NCAP crash test.
Practicality
Large boot and neat storage areas
With the rear seats in place, the Insight's 408-litre boot is huge - dwarfing that of the Volkswagen Golf's. It's a pity that the interior plastics are so hard, as items slide around too easily. There are plenty of neat storage areas, though, including one below the stereo for you to store your MP3 player in.
Value for money
A bargain next to the Prius but not ordinary diesel hatchbacks
Honda offers four different trim levels, but even the basic model features alloy wheels, an alarm and immobiliser, climate control, electric windows all-round and plenty of airbags. The Insight is significantly cheaper than the Toyota Prius and also costs less than Honda's own Civic IMA Hybrid. However, if you consider a turbodiesel car as an equally fuel-efficient alternative, the Insight doesn't look such a bargain.
Running costs
Cheap road tax and economical
This is where the Insight performs well. Emissions are just 101g/km in the cheapest versions, meaning low Road Tax. Average fuel economy is quoted as 64.2mpg, which is impressive, although it trails the Toyota Prius and Volkswagen's latest diesel-powered Golf BlueMotion.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
