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What is it?

This is the new Honda Insight. The Insight is Honda’s second stab at a bespoke hybrid model, rather than a hybrid powertrain dropped into an existing model like the Civic.

Unlike the first-generation Honda Insight, the funky and frugal but largely useless coupe that appeared back in 1999, the new Insight is supposed to appeal to economy-conscious mainstream buyers and not just ardent tree-huggers.

This time, the Honda Insight unabashedly takes on ...Read the full article

From what I read it's you pays your moola and takes your hybrid. Does not seem to move the game forward from Prius but hopefully much cheaper? And it does not have the extraordinary space of the Toyota.

The Prius does have lots of room inside, that's it's main plus point in my opinion, apart from the eco credentials. But I actually think the Insight looks fairly spacious, too. Boot looks a similar size to that of the hatchback Civic, and there's a relatively flat floor for the middle rear passenger. Overall, I think Honda have done a good job here. Could've been more adventurous with the design though. Would've loved old-Insight-style rear wheel arch that covered nearly all of the wheel. The old model always reminded me of a Citroen from the rear. But with this one, they've still done a good job.

I like how honda has thought about make a decent family car.

I like the way that it looks a bit like an old Civic.

Great family car with great potential.

3.9/5 

I suppose that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this is just a scaled down version of the current Prius surely. At least the new Prius will bring back a bit of a differences in looks. I'm surprised that Autocar say the back seats will only accomodate two passengers for short city journeys, that can't be what Honda intended I'm sure, as it must limit it's appeal. Seems that the verdict has to be "good effort, must try harder next time".

At this rate the next version will be as economical as a BMW 318d. I hired a 1.6 Diesel C4 a few years ago in mixed driving I got 54mpg ok with a bit of soot and NO2 in the atmosphere. However much I tell my green mates this they just don't believe me, its because a hybrid can run silently people think it must be more economical.  btw it's no driver car but the 1999 Insight was the coolest car Honda has produced more so than an NSX.

 

In any comparisons made with other cars please remember to compare like for like so automatic versions not manual. 

Compare the Insight to the correct car. The 318d auto is more thirsty fuel wise.

I have a 118d auto model new version great car but in real world driving i get about 40-41 mpg. I would expect the manual version to get about 49-50 mpg.

 

 

 

 

 

I used to get 50mpg from my Honda Accord 2.2 litre diesel............. The Insight needs an engine over 1.4 litres to appeal to company drivers because you get a higher mileage rate.

blowerbentley:

The Insight needs an engine over 1.4 litres to appeal to company drivers because you get a higher mileage rate.

 

 Well said, I currently get 50 + from my 2.2 D4D Avensis; and with the higher milage rate I actually get back enough money to cover my tax as well. In other words a well chosen diesel can cost a company car driver nothing to run.

Maybe Honda could attach the IMA unit to their fantastic 2.2 diesel?

The new Prius has arrived and has just stuck it to this DullMobile. Oops. Back to the drawing board for Honda.

I think the best selling point for the Insight is probably its price - hybrids have been quite pricey up to now but this is more in line with conventionally powered and similarly sized vehicles.  It still remains for an IMA Jazz diesel to create a proper headline economy figure.  How about 100mpg?  The milestone would surely generate plenty of publicity and it must be achievable given a light enough vehicle and advanced enough powertrain.

Well done Honda for launching such a relevant vehicle. Makes a change from the stories about bigger engines, more horsepower etc. When the other headlines are of redundancies, closures, and the collapse of our economy this is the type of vehicle which should sell well. Now, could somebody please bid for my local Honda dealer chain, which is in receivership. I need somewhere to trade in the wife's CRV.