With eco-driving at the forefront of designer’s minds, the hybrid Honda Insight can average an impressive 64mpg. Packed with top notch technology, it offers comfort in a light and spacious cabin full of class-leading specification.

The good

It's the future... maybe

The bad

Design quite uninspiring

Tech Specs

Price from

£19,535

Combined Fuel up to

68.9mpg

0-62 from

12.5 seconds

max speed up to

113mph

co2 from

96g/km

Test Drive

Honda Insight 1.3 IMA ES-T Hybrid CVT

There’s simply no denying it – love em or loathe em, hybrid cars and all their environmentally-friendly assets are our future and we have to accept that fact.

And Honda’s Insight is a perfect example of why these hybrid vehicles are really being noticed. Initially released back in 2000, the five-door hatchback has come a long way and for a very reasonable outlay you are guaranteed a whole lot of car crammed to bursting with quality features and eye-catching design.

Fitted with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) petrol-electric hybrid system, the Insight delivers low emissions, excellent fuel efficiency and an all-round package that will impress anyone with an eye on value for money. Basically the 1.3 petrol-driven engine takes the strain when accelerating and then automatically switches to electric mode when cruising. The battery even recharges itself so you can sit back and enjoy the eerily-quiet driving conditions.

The cabin is very spacious and can easily accommodate five adults (four in absolute comfort – the fifth at a squeeze) and there are plenty of storage options throughout including a generously-sized boot which thanks to the vehicle’s design can easily transport the family’s luggage requirements.

The driver is treated to a wealth of creature comforts including a dashboard that would look just at home on a spaceship complete with plenty of controls showing how economically you are driving along with a multi-function steering wheel with a paddle shift gear selector option.

There is even an ECO mode button to further enhance efficiency.

Other specifications include air conditioning with pollen filter, a great audio system with RDS and MP3 compatibility, sat nav with Traffic Message Control, automatic lights with dusk sensor and plenty more besides.

But the Insight is all about performance and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. In and around town it glided effortlessly through busy traffic although the silence of the engine can be a worry to unsuspecting pedestrians.

Then out on the more open roads, the Insight easily held its own with the faster moving traffic although my one criticism would be that due to the angled tailgate, rear view mirror visibility is quite limited.

Honda has kitted the Insight with a very comprehensive list of safety features including anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, numerous airbags and lots more.

All in all, the Insight is certainly quite a catch and with its asking price of just over £19k comes with an incredible amount of equipment as standard.

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