'Green' Insight doesn't inspire

There are those who live life at the extremes, out there pushing the limits and letting the world know about it. And there are those who expend their energy in quieter ways, gently going about their work and leaving it for others to make the waves. Then there are the rest who try to exist from day to day going about life with as little disruption as possible and still try to enjoy it as much as possible - the silent majority if you like.  

Some say that your car says a lot about your personality. Others believe that we drive what suits our lifestyle and then there is a section that just don’t give a hoot – the ‘A to B’ car buyers. The leading car manufacturers thrive on chasing every niche and lately on trying to be the first with the car of the future. While some tag along like sheep Honda is a manufacturer that has never followed the market; Honda is a leader of innovation and the science of car building and usually they get it right.  

The Honda Insight is their latest Green car and inevitably it will be compared to the Toyota Prius – the World’s leading Hybrid car. There is a fundamental difference between the two though. Honda uses their Integrated Motor Assist system that is already available in the Honda Civic Hybrid. It means that the electric motor runs at the same time as the petrol engine as a booster of power. It never runs alone, as the Prius’ does. So, the Insight should drive and feel more like a regular hatchback. 

It is a pity then that the Insight falls somewhat short of the mark. Yes it is a clever piece of technology and it satisfies the Green goal to a degree but Honda seems to have forgotten one vital consideration, the driver. The Insight just doesn’t deliver!  

Yes, it passes all the CO2 tests, the economy test – 5.6L/100kms achieved – and the Government will reward you with a VRT refund for being a good citizen and caring for the environment. The interior is packed with computer read-outs, clever diagrams and all the diagrams you will ever need to keep you driving economically but it feels gimmicky and lacks refinement. You do get sufficient space and the boot is full-sized because the electrics are dispersed throughout the car unlike the Civic.  

On the road, the car also fails to inspire. Here is where I and the Insight have our biggest differences. It just doesn’t exude confidence. It is noisy, fidgety, rear visibility is poor and most disappointing of all, it doesn’t drive or feel like a Honda. That is what is most puzzling. It is like a completely different set of engineers built this car compared to the Civic, the Accord and the Jazz. The Insight is fitted with a 1.3-litre petrol engine and mated with electric motor delivering 87 bhp and will go from zero to 100kms in 12.5 seconds.  

I would be one of those of the opinion that the life cycle of the Hybrid car will be a relatively short one. Because developments in other areas of fuel consumption and zero emissions are now rampant sooner or later Hybrids like the Prius and Insight will become defunct. But, for now while there are still some good reasons for buying a hybrid the Insight is deficient in too many areas to become a mainstream seller no matter what your personality.  

Specification:Make: HondaModel: Insight HybridEngine: 1.3-litre/Electric MotorAchieved Fuel Consumption: 5.6L/100kmsCO2 Emissions: 101g/kmPrice: €22,378Gerry’s Rating: 5.5/10