Honda Insight

Introduction

Honda was one of the first manufacturers to enter the market with a hybrid model - the original Insight. The Japanese car maker is keen to be seen at the forefront of technology, as is their image of engineering excellence. Insight Mk1 was rather compromised due to the infancy of the hybrid technology and the relatively small overall package size. The new car is a spacious family hatchback boasting the latest hybrid technologies.

What are its rivals?

In the purest sense the hybrid Toyota Prius represents the main competition. However, non-hybrids also have to be considered to be potential purchases and that places the Insight at the heart of the throngs of the hatchback market against the Ford Focus et al.

How does it drive?

At first rather differently to a normal car. Several things are alien: the CVT transmission is something of a rarity in today's market place and so the continuous speed of the engine at changing road speeds can feel a little strange. Secondly, the dash and its myriad of functions needs a little acclimatisation. Finally, the Insight requires a modification to your driving style to get the best from it.

A light on the dashboard, placed prominently atop the instrument cluster, indicates how efficiently you are driving and it doesn't take long to be drawn into the game of keeping it in the right colour for as long as possible. However, this equates to quite a laid back driving style and in some instances, just to keep with the flow of traffic or pull out into a stream, one needs to be that little bit unfriendly to the environment to avoid coming a cropper.

What's impressive?

Honda's seamless integration of the hybrid package makes it almost unnoticeable - the motor cutting in and out as required with the minimum of fuss, only occasionally can it be felt. Equally the switching between assisting, charging and regenerating is only really discernible via the outputs of the gauges and display on the dash.

Obviously, in the right conditions and driven in the correct manner, the Insight can eke out some excellent mileage figures from a gallon of fuel. The best figure we saw during our time with the car was almost 70mpg, achieved at a cruise on level A-roads at speeds around 50mph - i.e. almost ideal conditions.

Technology aside, the space within the Insight is noticeably better than that of its predecessor and the overall package is a much more viable daily driver. The benefit to the owner in terms of annual taxation and exemption from the congestion charge are also seriously appealing for the prospective buyer.

What's not?

It's a given that most Insight owners buy in to the necessary compromises in terms of driving style - they're more likely to be more interested in environmental impact, minimal running costs and low taxation than driving thrills, but the Insight's performance isn't strong and if worked hard the fuel consumption increases rapidly. In many cases the hybrid technology doesn't offer more efficiency than a modern turbodiesel. However, those don't enjoy all the same tax breaks at present.

Should I buy one?

There are several groups of buyers for whom an Insight is a shoe-in. Those who live in London and visit the centre of the capital regularly can take advantage of the congestion charge breaks. In this case the Insight pays for itself very quickly. Others, keen to minimise their carbon footprint and damage to the environment they cause going about their daily business will take heart from the hybrid designation. However, for many, the Insight may not offer huge advantages over a regular diesel hatch.