2011 Honda Insight Reviews

Sitting side by side with the Toyota Prius in the carpark, it's easy to see where Honda got the idea for the Insight. Both white, apart from the fact the Insight is a little smaller, the two hybrids look like they've been cast from the same mould. Insight is the third hybrid, petrol-electric model that Honda has launched in Australia and the second to carry the Insight name. The first, a rather odd looking two-seater with enclosed rear wheels,arrived here in 2001 and was the first hybrid to be offered by any car maker in this country. It was pretty rough and ready and not very practical, but serves to demonstrate just how far the hybrid concept has come in the past 10 years. Although its a completely new design, a closer inspection reveals the Insight does in fact sit on the same platform as the Jazz hatch and its sedan counterpart the City. The five-door hatch offers seating for five people, with a large glass topped liftback just like Prius that covers a reasonably sized luggage area and space save spare. The good news is that this hybrid is not going to cost you an arm and a leg. VALUEAt a starting price of $29,990, or $33,490 for the upmarket better equipped VTi-L, it's a very affordable alternative to a traditional hatch or even fuel efficient diesel. Honda has given us one of these cars for a few weeks and we're looking forward to learning how it works and seeing how it fits in as part of the family. TECHNOLOGYInsight is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine together with an electric motor that provides assistance during acceleration. The combined output of the 65kW petrol engine and 10kW electric motor is 72kW. The electric motor contributes up to 10kW at 1500 revs and 78Nm of torque at 1000 revs, assisting in acceleration and cruising at low-to-mid vehicle speeds. Maximum torque of 167Nm is delivered at a very low 1000 revs thanks to the instant-on power delivery of the electric motor, giving the car good off the mark acceleration. With a 40-litre tank, all important fuel consumption is rated at just 4.6 litres/100km, giving the car a theoretical range of about 870km. DRIVINGUnlike diesels, which are renowned for their long distance economy, hybrids perform best in city driving because the power train is designed to capture and store the energy normally lost through braking which it reuses later.The hybrid powertrain in the Insight is teamed with a CVT style, continuously variable automatic transmission, designed to optimise power and economy. With no discernible gear changes it has a zoom like quality, but there's a sport setting for better performance and greater engine braking on downhill runs. The first time we drove one of these cars we weren't thrilled by the performance. But we have to admit taking an instant liking to the VTi-L which seems to perform better, with ride and handling that is better than the Prius. SAFETYInsight comes comes with a five-star safety rating and full complement of safety equipment including six airbags. Standard equipment in the VTi-L includes satellite navigation and a reversing camera as well as Bluetooth for mobile phones.Honda Insight VTi-LPrice: $33,490Warranty: 3 years/ 100,000kmService Interval: 10,000km/6 monthsSafety: Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, EBD, 6 Airbags, Active Head Rests.Engine: Inline 4 Cylinder SOHC i-VTEC and integrated Motor Assist.Body: 5-door HatchbackWeight: 1215kgTransmission: Automatic, CVi with Grade Logic Control.Thirst: 4.6L/100km, 91 RON, CO2 109g/km

I remember the launch of the first Honda Insight 10 years ago. It was a funny looking thing, painted green of course, with two seats and skinny little tyres that were enclosed at the rear to reduce wind drag.That Insight was terrible to drive, with a harsh bumpy ride and wheels that tracked all over the road. But it didn't use much fuel and was a landmark in Australian motoring as the first hybrid petrol-electric car to be sold here.Not surprisngly Honda's next two hybrids were both converted Civics, barely distinguishable from the standard model — in stark contrast to the Toyota Prius.Ten years down the track the new Insight is a much better car in just about every respect. The five-door hatch offers seating for five people, with a large glass topped liftback that covers a reasonably sized luggage area and space save spare.Insight comes with a five-star safety rating and full complement of safety equipment including six airbags.VALUELike the Prius it's a standalone model and one that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Toyota.It is however smaller and more affordable than a Prius which should put the car on many more shopping lists. At a starting price of $29,990, or $33,490 for the upmarket better equipped VTi-L, it's a very affordable alternative.Standard equipment in the VTi-L includes satellite navigation and a reversing camera as well as Bluetooth for mobile phones.TECHNOLOGYPowered by a 1.3-litre four cylinder petrol engine, Insight also has a 10kW electric motor to give the engine a boost when required such as during acceleration. You could think of it as a new age turbocharger.There's no need to recharge the battery because the car does thatitself when you take your foot off the accelerator. The electric motor contributes up to 10kW at 1500 revs and 78Nm of torque at 1000 revs, assisting in acceleration and cruising at low-to-mid vehicle speeds.Maximum torque of 167Nm is delivered at a very low 1000 revs thanks to the instant-on delivery of the electric motor, giving the car good off the mark acceleration.The hybrid powertrain incorporates a CVT style, continuously variable automatic transmission, designed to optimise power and economy.With a 40-litre tank, all important fuel consumption is rated at just 4.6 litres/100km, giving the car a theoretical range of about 870km.DRIVINGThe first time I drove the new Insight I didn't care for it much.But after clocking up more than 2000km in one over the past few weeks I'm a hybrid convert.The Insight is practical, easy to drive and doesn't use much fuel which is of course the main reason for buying one.With no discernible gear changes it has a zoom like quality, but there's a sport setting for better performance and greater engine braking on downhill runs.We've been getting about 5.7 litres/100km and the good news is that a fill usually costs around $40.00.AT A GLANCEPrice: $33,490Warranty: 3 years/ 100,000kmResale: N/AService Interval: 10,000km/6 monthsSafety: Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, EBD, 6 Airbags, Active Head Rests.Engine: Inline 4 Cylinder SOHC i-VTEC and integrated Motor Assist.Body: 5-door HatchbackWeight: 1215kgTransmission: Automatic, CVi with Grade Logic Control.Thirst: 4.6L/100km, 91 RON, CO2 109g/km

CAR stuff is full of acronyms, numbers, decimal points and funny words.  For once, I'm taking most of the numbers out of the story because they probably won't thrill you as much as the one I leave in - 1017.That is the theoretical annual saving, in dollars, of a Honda Insight Hybrid's fuel bill compared with the national average annual fuel cost.  That's $1017 or, to be precise, $1017.75 and that's the difference between Australia's 11.1 litres/100km vehicle average and the Insight's on-test 5.2 l/100km (not Honda's claimed figure), taking into account a 15,000km yearly average and unleaded petrol at $1.15 a litre.Sorry, more figures.  Own a Honda Insight and you'd be driving a car that could just make you feeling greener than Kermit. But is there a cost?VALUEHmmm. It's relatively cheap at $29,990 plus on-road costs and I got 5.2 litres/100km  in the suburbs without really trying.  Honda claims 4.6 l/100km which is possible in ideal conditions that, unfortunately, we don't live in.The hatchback is comfortable, versatile and roomy and through in striving to beat the bowser it strikes a couple of speed bumps, it's basically worth a long look.  The base model VTi tested here is $3500 cheaper than the upmarket VTi-L but is a better buy.DESIGNIt's based on the Jazz hatchback - and City sedan - platform but takes most of its shape from the US-only Honda Clarity fuel-cell delight.  The teardrop shape is all for cheating the air and the slippery profile neatly cuts the air to benefit not only fuel use but improve quietness.But Honda does a great job of finding the sensible compromise between the need to slice through the air and have room for a family within its cabin.TECHNOLOGYA hybrid has two or three power units. In this case, one is electric and one is petrol and they work together - unlike the Toyota Prius where they can work independently.  There is no extension cord and no powerpoint to plug it in. It has a large storage battery and the petrol engine both drives the car and charges the battery.It starts like any other car; drives like any other car. The fact that it's automatic also makes it easy to punt around town.  But there is an option. A green button on the dashboard will change the engine program, dulling performance and turning the engine off (and back on again later) when the car is stationary.There are a lot of clever things in the car but - alarmingly - it gets shot down by the archaic drum rear brakes visible through the alloy wheel spokes.SAFETYThe Insight gets the maximum five-star crash rating, has six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution so that leaves the driver as the only thing to go wrong.DRIVINGI mentioned that optional button on the dash. Press it and you kill the fun.  Hills turn the Insight sluggish, a green traffic light turns the car behind you into an ogre and because the engine stops when the car stops, so does the airconditioner.If you're not in a hurry, driving through hilly countryside or picked a temperate day for a drive, the "econ" button will chop back fuel use.  Otherwise, leave it off and the combination of the powerful little electric motor and small petrol engine can provide pleasant motoring. Even fun. Almost.There are drawbacks.  Squeezing more kilometres from the petrol tank means the Insight must be light. It is. But that makes it feel unsettled on the road, susceptible to sidewinds and skitterish when hurried through bends.The light steering doesn't help so it ends up feeling ot connected either to the road or the driver.  It is comfortable, spacious enough for a small family and flexible. The space-saver rear tyre doesn't surprise but the large boot does.VERDICTUse your calculator and this is a winner. Use your heart and it's a bit soft. 8/10HONDA INSIGHT VTiOrigin: JapanPrice: $29,990Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cyl; electric motorPower (combined): 72kW @ 5800rpmTorque (combined): 167Nm @ 1000-1700rpmFuel: Standard unleadedFuel tank: 40 litresEconomy (official): 4.6 litres/100kmEconomy (tested): 5.2 litres/100kmGreenhouse: 109g/km (Corolla: 174g/km)Transmission: CVT, paddle shifters; front-driveBrakes: Disc/drum, ESC, ABS, EBD, brake assistTurning circle: 10.3mSuspension: Front _ MacPherson struts; Rear _ torsion beamWheels: 15-inch alloy, 175/65R15 tyres; space-saver spareLength: 4405mmWidth: 1695mmHeight: 1435mmWheelbase: 2550mmWeight: 1205kgBoot (seat up/down): 408/584 litres (Corolla: 450/1121)Warranty: 3yr/100,000km (battery - 8yr/unlimited km)Service: 10,000km

It's been a long time coming but Honda's hybrid Insight is finally here and on the road. For all intents and purposes it looks very much like the Toyota Prius on which it is obviously modelled. Given the world-wide success of Prius, it's not surprising. Honda no doubt wants a slice of that hybrid cake.VALUENot as large or expensive as a Prius, the Insight does what it does pretty well, providing economical transport at an affordable price. The thing is, for the asking price of $29,990 for the entry level Insight VTi, you could probably achieve the same if not better results with any number of diesel powered alternatives. The Golf 77TDI Trendline that we drove recently springs to mind. While fuel consumption for the Insight is officially rated at 4.6 litres/100km, the automatic version of the Golf tips the scales at 5.1.Having said that, we've been getting about 5.5 litres/100km from our test Insight VTi. To be fair, the Insight produces cleaner engine emissions, but most people will be focused on fuel consumption. But there's not much in it, with the Insight getting a five-star rating from the Government's Green Guide and the Golf sneaking in with a four. The problem with the diesels is that they emit of lot of nitrous oxides.Then again, if you are entirely unconcerned about the environment, $29,990 is going to buy you a large chunk of many other cars.DESIGNInsight's sloping glass back conceals a large but shallow load area, with a lower glassed panel just like Prius. It will seat four people in reasonable comfort, although it has seatbelts for five.TECHNOLOGYThe hybrid, petrol-electric power train consists of a 1.3-litre petrol engine, combined with a 10kW electric motor which provides assistance when necessary. The combined output is 72kW of power and 167Nm of torque, with maximum torque available at a low 1000 revs thanks to the instant on electric motor. With a smallish 40-litre fuel tank, the Insight has a theoretical cruising range of about 870km.DRIVINGWe never looked like getting anything like this in the car we drove, but we're getting an Insight for a longer period shortly so we'll be able to bring you further updates on the car's longterm fuel economy. Unlike diesels, it should be noted that hybrids perform best in city driving because the power train captures and stores the energy normally lost in braking which it uses to power the battery.The hybrid powertrain is teamed with a CVT-style, continuously variable automatic transmission with its trademark zoom acceleration.A sport setting is provided for better performance and greater engine braking on downhill runs. Performance was adequate if unexciting, but suited to its role as a city car. We'd also rate the ride quality as better than Prius. Although our test car was fitted with cruise control, it often had difficulty maintaining sets speeds, particularly on uphill sections.It comes with a five-star safety rating and full complement of safety equipment including six airbags. Bluetooth is also standard.HONDA INSIGHT HYBRIDPrice: from around $30,000Engine: 98kW/123Nm 1.3-litre, 10kW/78Nm electric motorTransmission: CVT; front-wheel driveEconomy: 4.4L/100km (95RON)